Month: April 2023

PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

-Solvolysis is the best method for recycling biocomposites from the aeronautics sector

The aviation industry is increasingly using biocomposite materials in its components to mitigate their environmental impact. Biocomposites use natural fibres for reinforcement and resins from renewable sources. However, the novelty and heterogeneous nature of these thermoset materials and the fact that they lack carbon fibres, which have a high market value, make it difficult to find an efficient management solution when these materials become waste at the end of their useful life.

AIMPLAS, and the Dutch research centre TNO have completed the ELIOT Project, which involved carrying out an in-depth review of current recycling technologies for the composites and biocomposites used in the aeronautics sector in order to analyse the best alternatives on a pilot plant scale that are also technically and financially feasible. As a result of the study, solvolysis was found to be the best method of the 12 technologies analysed for recycling six different biocomposites. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

This study helps promote cost-effective recycling technologies that enable the aeronautics industry to guarantee the sustainability of its components in the search for new solutions aligned with the circular economy.

The results show that pyrolysis emits 17% more carbon dioxide and consumes twice as much heat as solvolysis, which entails additional associated costs. Solvolysis uses solvents as a substitute for heat, but these solvents are recovered with great efficiency and reused in the process. The study has also shown that solvolysis works even better on large biocomposites.

For both pyrolysis and solvolysis, additional purification steps are required to be able to use the pyrolysis liquid and the distilled product, respectively. These estimates were made based on a processing plant with a capacity of 10 kilotonnes of biocomposites per year.

Other technologies analysed in the study included mechanical recycling, dissolution, enzymatic degradation, gasification and composting.

The ELIOT Project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme within the framework of the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative under grant agreement number 886416. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

Source: Aimplas

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-Ahlstrom launches renewable automotive filter media

Ahlstrom has launched a new range of renewable, lignin-based filter media for automotive applications.

Ahlstrom Eco is described as a technology that supports the increasing sustainability demands of the global transportation market and offers a new choice for filter manufacturers.

Using a significant amount of bio-based, renewable lignin rather than fossil-based resin, the mechanical properties and the durability of the filter media, even in challenging environments, are said to be maintained. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

According to Ahlstrom’s initial estimates, the new lignin-based impregnated filter media displays a lower carbon footprint than a standard fossil-based resin media. Additionally, the lignin-based impregnation recipe brings a significant reduction, between 50-70%, of formaldehyde emissions during the curing process.

Ahlstrom is partnering with Tecfil, a major automotive filter manufacturer in Latin America, which is incorporating Ahlstrom Eco into a final filter design. The new product will be launched at the Automec exhibition in Sao Paolo, Brazil on April 25-29.

“Ahlstrom Eco is a perfect example of how we are living up to our purpose to Purify and Protect with every fibre for a sustainable world, and our commitment to innovate fibre-based specialty solutions to our customer’s needs and to help them solve some of the global challenges,” said Tamara Quatrano, VP, R&D, and Product Development Filtration. “We are pleased with the joint activities with Tecfil and proud to be able to offer this new, renewable solution to the market.:

Flavio Montanari, Industrial Director Tecfil, added: “An outstanding collaboration between our two teams – Ahlstrom and Tecfil – resulted in a new, environmentally friendly filter solution. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

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-Belgian investor expands PET preforms factory in Romania

Belgian plastic and preform bottle manufacturer Resilux plans to expand its factory in northern Bucharest by about 30% under a EUR 3 mln investment, which also involves the installation of a recycled PET (rPET) pellets production line, according to sources consulted by Profit.ro.

Resilux owns a plot of about 3.7 hectares in the northern part of Bucharest, where it already operates a PET preforms production facility with a surface of about 10,000 square meters. The new hall will increase the total area of the factory to more than 13,000 square meters.

The raw material for the rPET pellets will be brought from the same group’s units in Hungary.

The Romanian factory Resilux Packaging South East Europe, with 55 employees, reported a turnover of EUR 22.5 mln in 2021, a historical peak, and a net loss of about EUR 630,000. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

Austria’s Alpla and partners start production at EUR 7.5 mln PET recycling plant in Romania

Belgian producer Resilux was bought last year by Pascal Vanhalst’s family investment fund Quva in a deal that valued the company at EUR 471 mln.

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-Mechanical, chemical tech advancements announced

A research institute developed a recycled plastic deodorizing process, and a packaging maker installed a system for recycling heavily printed LDPE film scrap. The following are details on those and other recent technology-related announcements:

Deodorizing technology: A German research institute has developed a method of using pressurized water to deodorize recycled plastics. According to Phys.org, the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF developed the process to remove odors from HDPE packaging, then it employed infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to measure how much of a tracer fragrance was removed, thus quantifying the method’s effectiveness. The story notes that the method, which has been employed at lab scale, also removed contaminants and short-chain HDPE.

Chemically recycled PET bottle: Beauty products brand Garnier announced a 100% RPET bottle made with plastic that was chemically recycled through Loop Industries’ depolymerization process.

Garnier used the recycled resin in a Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 bottle. The bottle will start landing on shelves this month in the U.S. and France. Based in Terrebonne, Quebec, Loop uses a low-heat, no-pressure technology to break down PET scrap into monomers, which can be used to make new PET. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

Closed-loop automotive plastics recycling: Several companies have collaborated to chemically recycle automotive scrap plastics from auto shredder residue (ASR). Chemical company Eastman announced on April 19 the completion of a closed-loop project involving Eastman, the United States Automotive Materials Partnership LLC (USAMP), automotive recycler PADNOS and global automotive interior supplier Yanfeng. Through the project, PADNOS supplied a plastic-rich fraction of ASR to Eastman, which used its carbon renewal technology to convert the material into synthesis gas, which was then used to produce polyester and cellulosic thermoplastics. The resins were further formulated and sent to Yanfeng, which molded the plastic into auto parts that met Ford, GM and Stellantis requirements, a press release stated.

Extrusion system installation: Canadian packaging maker Polykar purchased an EREMA system to recycle heavily printed LDPE production scrap from blown film production. In a press release, EREMA noted that the company purchased an INTAREMA 1310 TVEplus with backflush filter, with the system coming on-line in December 2022 at Polykar’s new 50,000-square-foot Edmonton, Alberta plant. The system can produce up to 4,000 tons of pellets a year. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

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-A call to ensure strong push for circularity

Following the EU Commission’s proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), EuRIC publishes its position paper on the proposal in view of ongoing discussions in the Council and the

While the European recycling industry strongly supports the proposal, certain barriers and loopholes for more circular packaging still need to be overcome, according to the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC).

First and foremost, it is of overarching importance to ensure recyclability of all packaging placed on the market in the EU as soon as possible. Building on existing mature design for recycling (DfR) criteria, a stringent timeframe is required for the development and applicability of DfR criteria and recyclability at scale. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

Stricter rules are also needed on compostable packaging for being allowed to be placed on the market in the EU. As proposed, the current provisions would send an unclear sorting message to consumers and disrupt functioning plastic sorting and recycling processes.

As a key driver for more circular packaging in the EU, binding minimum recycled content targets are paramount for investment and planning stability in the recycling sector. Derogations based on prices or availability would contradict the logic of binding targets in the first place and hamper the transition towards a more circular economy. At the same time, the achievement of binding targets shall be ensured through ambitious packaging collection targets of minimum 80% for all packaging types applicable in all Member States by 2029.

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-Chemical recycling a flashpoint in FTC Green Guides review

How to advertise and label plastic made from chemical recycling is shaping up to be an early flashpoint in the Federal Trade Commission’s yearslong process to rewrite its Green Guides.

As the agency’s comment deadline closed April 24, plastics groups were giving the FTC polling that shows that more than 80 percent of the public considers it OK to label a plastics package or product made with chemical recycling as containing “recycled content.”

One of the key questions FTC asked for input on when it launched the rewrite in December was how consumers perceive labels like recycled content and recyclable.

The American Chemistry Council said polling it conducted showed public support for advanced recycling technologies, as did the Plastics Industry Association in a similar poll.

“Consumers are increasingly interested in supporting the environment through their purchases,” said Joshua Baca, ACC’s vice president of plastics.

“They are asking for packaging to contain more recycled plastic and that we increase recycling after use, and the data shows people want advanced recycling to be part of the circularity solution.”  PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

But a coalition of environmental groups urged FTC to reject labeling plastic from chemical recycling as recycled content.

The group, which includes Greenpeace USA, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Last Beach Cleanup, said companies should not be able to use a technical method known as mass balance to label chemical recycling as having recycled content.

“The chemical lobbyists have created a new hoax to try to convince the FTC to allow chemical recycling to count as recycling,” said Judith Enck, president of the group Beyond Plastics, and a former regional administrator in the Environmental Protection Agency. “This is a critical issue, and the FTC should forcefully reject this shameless attempt to fool the public.”  PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

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-How safe are electric cars?

Batteries and high-voltage electrical systems can pose a fire risk – but in reality, EVs are just as safe as other cars

Many potential EV owners are put off by range anxiety, but a number also worry about safety. Powered by highly flammable batteries and packing high voltage electrical systems, it’s easy to see how these machines could give cause for concern. In reality, though, electric cars are just as safe as any other, thanks to a range of neat features aimed at protecting occupants and other road users. Here’s our comprehensive EV safety guide.

First off, it’s important to keep in mind that all electric cars are built to meet the same strict design and manufacturing regulations as their petrol and diesel counterparts. Essentially, they go through the same carefully wrought process, with an almost obsessive amount of time spent on making these machines as safe as possible. And to highlight the hard work, most manufacturers then subject their EV offerings to Euro NCAP assessment, with almost all performing as well as similarly-sized and equipped internal combustion models. PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

Strong structures, extensive crumple zones and multiple airbags ensure that occupants are as well protected as possible in the event of an accident. In fact, with the extra mass of their battery packs and the need to absorb the increased energy they create in a collision, it’s arguable that EV designers have to work even harder to attain outstanding crashworthiness.

One area of concern, however, is fire. A few years ago a spate of high profile EV accidents that resulted in cars burning to the ground caused nervousness among new car buyers. Now, you might think fire is more likely in an internal combustion (isn’t the clue in the name?) car, particularly one powered by a substance as flammable as petrol, but in fact an EV is just as likely (or unlikely as we’ll find out) to suffer from a conflagration after a collision.

Should the worst happen, the biggest potential problem with an EV’s lithium ion battery is something known as thermal runaway. Essentially, if one of the cells gets damaged and short-circuits there’s a chance the flammable electrolyte inside can ignite, becoming hotter and hotter as it uses up all the stored energy, burning in excess of 1,000 degrees celsius. If this increased heat damages neighbouring cells, it can cause a chain reaction where the hundreds or thousands of cells also begin burning in an ever increasingly fierce fire that can be impossible to extinguish – instead you have to wait for it to essentially ‘burn’ itself out.  PET preforms – EV-cars – Recycling

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Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio 28-04-2023

Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

Crude Oil Prices Trend 

-Appalachian Electronic Instruments to showcase ‘TuftX’ at ITMA 2023

The company offers products for the tufting, warping and warp knitting markets with many of them in their seventh or eighth generation.

In the quality control and monitoring systems’ segment that is counted amongst the most fiercely competitive in the textile industry, Appalachian Electronic Instruments (AEI) is one company that has been able to make its own distinct mark. Now, AEI is all set to showcase its latest products at ITMA 2023 to be held at Milan in June. In an exclusive interaction, the company’s President Gary McComas expressed that 2023 has, so far, been a sort of mixed year. “It has been a good but difficult year. The difficulties are due to the lingering supply chain issues and finding parts to fulfil orders. AEI is a small company and does not have the buying power of a larger organisation,” he said. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

Elaborating about the product range offered by the company, McComas said, “AEI offers products for the tufting, warping and warp knitting markets. Many products are in their seventh or eighth generation.” AEI has been a strong player in the tension control market for many decades. Last year, that product line was sold to Karl Mayer so that AEI could focus on its patented yarn monitoring technology for warping and tufting. AEI will move from this historic position of tension control to yarn breakage and tension variation monitoring. “The reason behind this strategic move is that the future technology requirement is focused on yarn monitoring,” Mc Comas said.

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-Tesla: batteries degrade by only 12% after 320,000 km

Tesla has revealed the average degradation of battery capacity (and range) for its electric cars in its new Impact Report. Apparently, on average, the American automaker’s car batteries degrade by just 12% after 200,000 miles (321,868 km) of use, far exceeding expectations. The impressive battery life of Elon Musk’s company’s car batteries comes from the company’s constant investment in research and development. Battery degradation, which represents the loss of capacity and range over time as mileage increases, is a major concern for new EV buyers.
Tesla batteries degrade by about 12% after 320.00 km
Tesla has consistently pushed the limits of battery technology, ensuring its electric vehicles remain at the forefront of the industry in performance and sustainability. To this day, the company continues to innovate and improve its battery technology.

In fact, the American company is developing new chemicals that promise to work even better than the current ones. As more data becomes available, Tesla plans to expand its disclosure of these new battery chemistries to keep consumers informed about the battery performance of its vehicles. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio
Tesla battery life benefits the environment by reducing waste from battery replacements and helps make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers in the long run. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, the outstanding performance of Tesla batteries will play a significant role in encouraging more people to switch to sustainable transportation.

-European Recyclers’ call to ensure strong push for circularity under EU Packaging Regulation

Following the Commission’s proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) publishes its position paper on the proposal in view of ongoing discussions in the Council and the European Parliament. While the European recycling industry strongly supports the proposal, certain barriers and loopholes for more circular packaging still need to be overcome.

First and foremost, it is of overarching importance to ensure recyclability of all packaging placed on the market in the EU as soon as possible. Building on existing mature design for recycling (DfR) criteria, a stringent timeframe is required for the development and applicability of DfR criteria and recyclability at scale. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

Stricter rules are also needed on compostable packaging for being allowed to be placed on the market in the EU. As proposed, the current provisions would send an unclear sorting message to consumers and disrupt functioning plastic sorting and recycling processes.

As a key driver for more circular packaging in the EU, binding minimum recycled content targets are paramount for investment and planning stability in the recycling sector. Derogations based on prices or availability would contradict the logic of binding targets in the first place and hamper the transition towards a more circular economy. At the same time, the achievement of binding targets shall be ensured through ambitious packaging collection targets of minimum 80% for all packaging types applicable in all Member States by 2029.

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-Disruptive Bottling System Closes the Loop

The Boomerang Bottling System allows customers to sanitize, filter, fill, and cap single-serve water bottles on-site in reusable glass or aluminum containers that can be collected and refilled on-the-spot.

When single-serve water in plastic bottles hit the mainstream in the 1990s, no one could have imagined how pervasive it would become in consumers’ daily lives. According to Statista, the U.S. bottled water market is currently valued at $94.07 billion, with a 6.34% annual CAGR through 2027. More Americans drink bottled water than any other packaged beverage, and for good reason: It offers a healthy, safe, and calorie-free alternative to sugary beverages and provides hydration on-the-go in a portable, unbreakable container.

What consumers could also not have predicted though was the impact these single-serve containers would have on the environment and natural resources in the decades to come. Single-serve plastic beverage bottles have become the poster child for packaging pollution. According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86% of disposable water bottles used in the U.S. become garbage or litter, which translates to 38 billion disposable water bottles going to landfill each year. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

When former military airman Jason Dibble began the first of his four tours of duty in Afghanistan, he was confronted with the most extreme example of bottled water’s negative environmental effects. “When I got in country, the first thing they handed me was a bottle of water. Now, the statement after that is the shocking one, which was, ‘Make sure you drink from it, you brush your teeth with it, you cook with it, but shower with the water that’s already here,’” Dibble shares. “And that stuck with me forever.

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-BioBTX, Agilyx partner on the production of circular aromatic chemicals

Groningen, the Netherlands-based BioBTX B.V., a company that has developed proprietary technology enabling the production of renewable aromatics from waste, and chemical recycling company Agilyx have announced a new collaboration aimed at the further scale up of BioBTX’ technology.

The two partners are planning a commercial demonstration plant  – BioBTX’s first – based on a combination of Agilyx pyrolysis technology and BioBTX’s catalytic technology to explore the production of renewable aromatic chemicals (benzene, toluene, xylene, or BTX). Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

Agilyx’s technology enables the processing of difficult-to-recycle post consumer waste plastics, producing pyrolysis vapours that BioBTX’s catalytic technology then converts into aromatic chemicals.

The integration of these two technologies will yield a high quality BTX product, meeting the demanding specifications of the chemical industry whilst also converting difficult to recycle plastic waste streams.

Aromatic chemicals are fundamental building blocks of the chemical industry. With a market size of approximately €200 billion per year, growing to € 500 billion or more in 2050 the potential is enormous. They are used to produce everything from drugs to nylon clothing and key elements of the green energy transition like wind turbine blades.

The deal is a ‘first of its kind’ collaboration in Europe between Agilyx and BioBTX to produce renewable aromatic chemicals in the Benelux region and, noted Tim Stedman, CEO of Agilyx, who called it a significant milestone for chemical recycling.

“We are thrilled to bring these two technologies together for this innovative collaboration,” he said. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

The announcement comes as the EU pushes ahead with its Circular Economy Action Plan which seeks to address the interface between chemicals, products, and waste legislation.

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-CalRecycle releases recycled-content reports

Most beverage brands failed to meet CalRecycle’s requirements for post-consumer resin use or didn’t report to the regulator at all. | Noom CPK/Shutterstock

Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo and other big beverage brands achieved California’s mandate to use 15% post-consumer resin in their bottles last year, but the list of smaller brands that failed to hit the target – or even report data to the state – stretches over 500 companies long.

A Resource Recycling analysis of newly released data from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) shows that a few dozen companies, including some large ones, exceeded the requirements. Some, such as Keurig Dr Pepper and Niagara Bottling, dramatically increased their recycled PET purchases for California bottles in 2022. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

But the data also shows that most beverage brands either used zero post-consumer resin (PCR) in 2022 or failed to report data to the state by March 1, as required by law.

For years, beverage producers have been required by California law to publicly report how much virgin and recycled plastic they use in their bottles covered by the California Redemption Value (CRV) program. But Assembly Bill 793 made 2022 the first year in which they were required to use PCR, although penalties for failure to meet the requirements won’t be imposed until after 2023 reports are submitted.

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-Korea, US sign 23 MOUs to bolster ties in batteries, bio, nuclear power

Korea’s leading energy, battery, construction and chemical companies have agreed to fortify cooperation with their U.S. counterparts outlined in 23 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed during a meeting between executives and high-ranking officials of the two countries, the trade ministry said Tuesday

The bolstered commitment came on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s six-day state visit to the U.S. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said 45 executives of state-run and private enterprises from both countries attended a business forum to advance bilateral high-tech and clean energy partnerships at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C. Tuesday (local time).

High-ranking executives of Doosan, Doosan Robotics, SK, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Lotte Chemical, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) attended the event.

The U.S. firms included Boeing, Rockwell, GE, Centrus, Terrapower, Nuscale, Holtec International, ExxonMobil, Plug Power Siemens.

Of the 23 MOUs, 10 were signed between high-tech industry players, including manufacturers of batteries and robots, as well as autonomous vehicle system operators and aerospace research institutes. The remaining 13 involved clean energy companies in the fields of hydrogen, nuclear power and carbon neutral energy.

“Korea and the U.S. will further expand alliances beyond military and security matters to include high-tech industries,” Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang said during the meeting. Aromatic chemicals – Batteries – Bio

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R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics 27-04-2023

R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

Crude Oil Prices Trend 

-Lummus and Citroniq Sign Letter of Intent for Green Polypropylene Projects

Partnership will leverage expertise and innovation to produce green polypropylene

Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, and Citroniq Chemicals, a world-scale producer of carbon-negative materials, announced that the two companies have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the development of Citroniq’s green polypropylene (PP) projects in North America. These projects will use Lummus’ VerdeneTM PP technology suite.

“Lummus is honored to collaborate with Citroniq to bring this innovative and sustainable technology to market, which will facilitate further decarbonization of our industry,” said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. “Lummus is the global leader in licensing PP technology, and we can serve as a launch pad for Citroniq’s green, carbon-negative PP to meet the growing demand for products using sustainable materials.” R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

“Together, Citroniq and Lummus are creating the first world-scale sustainable bio-polypropylene production process in North America,” said Kelly Knopp, Principal and Co-Founder of Citroniq Chemicals. “The first plant will sequester about 1.2 MM tons of CO2 annually as solid polypropylene pellets, providing customers an impactful solution for reducing their carbon footprint and meeting their ESG goals.”

“With a projected investment of over US $5 billion and a combined PP annual capacity of over 3.5 billion pounds, Citroniq is prepared to execute a rapid expansion plan of its E2O process, to meet the market’s growing need for sustainable, carbon negative polypropylene at a competitive price,” said Mel Badheka, Principal and Co-Founder of Citroniq Chemicals. “Located in the Midwest, Citroniq’s first plant is scheduled to start production in 2026 and provide identical, drop-in products that can be directly certified as biogenic through physical testing.”

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-Alpek swings to Q1 net loss

Alpek swung to a first-quarter net loss of USD6m amid poorer demand due to high polyethylene terephthalate (PET) inventory levels in the market, said the Mexican polyester producer.

Overall sales volumes fell by 5% year on year to 1.16m tonnes in the first quarter, with total production down by 9% year on year to 1.38m tonnes in the first quarter.

“The polyester segment experienced softer demand throughout the quarter due to high PET inventory levels in the market, particularly at the beginning of the year, a decrease in exports, as well as continued seasonality,” said Alpek CEO Jorge Young in the statement.

“However, despite lower demand in the polyester & chemicals segment in certain industries and rising polypropylene (PP) supply in the Americas, volume remained slightly above that of last quarter,” he said. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

We remind, Alpek, Indorama and FENC announced earlier that Corpus Christi Polymers (CCP) will resume construction on the facility in August. The plant is expected to begin production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) in early 2025. Construction of the state-of-the-art plan is resuming following a period of pandemic-related disruptions. The new facility is expected to be the largest vertically integrated PTA-PET production plant in the Americas, with annual capacities of 1.1m tonnes of PET and 1.3m tonnes of PTA. It will employ three state-of-the-art technologies.

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-Lacklustre demand lingers across most classes

R-PET continues to face strongest downward price pressure

The price of most recycled plastics classes have continued to fall over the last two months. R-PET has seen the steepest price decline with clear flake prices down by a combined total of €160/tonne over March and April with food-grade pellets down by €100/tonne over the same period.

R-LDPE natural film grade prices have fallen by €50-60/tonne with black extrusion pellets down by €40/tonne and translucent film pellets down by €30/tonne. R-HDPE prices have softened slightly over the last two months with blow moulding grade prices falling €40/tonne and injection moulding prices €30/tonne lower over the last two months.

R-PP prices, on the other hand, have actually increased slightly; mainly because of better demand. R-HIPS prices have stabilised in a well-balanced market.

Low demand continues to characterise the market for recycled plastics with order activity well below what would normally be expected for the time of year.

Only R-PP and R-HIPS has reported an upswing in sales over the last two months.

Demand weakness can be easily explained by the slowdown in European economies and weakness in key end use markets for recyclate such as construction and packaging. Recyclate is also facing growing competition from the falling cost of off-spec virgin material and competition from cheaper imported material from the Far East.

Recyclers have continued to curb production to avoid a build-up of excess stocks; yet there has been no major shortage of material reported. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

In May, prices are likely to remain under pressure as a significant upturn in demand is not expected.

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET)

R-PET prices have now fallen in every month since August 2022. In March and April, R-PET clear flake prices fell by a combined €160/tonne, R-PET clear food-grade pellet prices were down by €100/tone and coloured flake prices fell by €90/tonne over the same period.

R-PET prices have fallen because of the availability of competitively-priced imports from Vietnam and substitution by the less expensive virgin material. In addition, the cost of clear and coloured bottle scrap has fallen across Europe.

While producers continue to curb production rates supply is more than sufficient to meet demand because of the additional imports from Asia. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

While seasonal demand from the beverages sector is growing, processors are increasingly turning to cheaper imports from Asia or using the virgin PET material.

In May, prices are expected to soften further as a result of continuing weak demand and competition from cheaper imported material.

Recycled low-density polyethylene (R-LDPE)

R-LDPE prices continued to drift downward in March as a result of low demand and competition from falling virgin LDPE prices. Natural film grade prices fell by €50-60/tonne with black extrusion pellets down by €40/tonne and translucent film pellets down by €30/tonne. The downward price trend continued into April, albeit at a slower pace.

Recyclers are maintaining production controls to avoid an excess stock position, yet availability of base material and recyclate still exceeds demand.

In March, the expected demand upturn failed to materialise as processors tended to buy only what was contractually required. Demand has however recovered in April, particularly for black extrusion pellets and dark film grades. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

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-Boehringer Ingelheim inaugurates largest European biotechnology development center

The new €350m ($386m) biotechnology research center will help power Boehringer Ingelheim’s development of biopharmaceuticals, which account for around 50% of the company’s research pipeline.

The Biologicals Development Center (BDC) in Biberach an der Riß ‘significantly enhances Boehringer Ingelheim’s innovation power and biopharmaceutical development capabilities’ in the country.

The BDC has a gross floor space of 34,500 sqm, which equals five football fields.

The new facility is a highly complex building, offering modern workplaces for more than 500 employees who will develop Boehringer Ingelheim’s future biopharmaceutical substances. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

Scientists from multiple disciplines and three different development units will collaborate under one roof to research and develop antibodies and therapeutic proteins. They will have the capability to produce these substances from lab-scale to supply for clinical studies.

The new facility is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s campus in Biberach, which is the company’s largest R&D and Biopharmaceuticals site with more than 7,000 employees.

The construction of the BDC is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s strategy to make significant investments in its R&D pipeline, which amounted to €5bn ($5.5bn) in the last business year – equivalent to around 21% of total net sales. Nearly half (47%) of this investment was in Germany.

Headquartered in Ingelheim am Rhein, Boehringer Ingelheim is split into two main divisions – human pharma and animal health – alongside a smaller biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing division. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

In human pharma, the company’s pipeline covers some 90 clinical and pre-clinical projects, with more than 50 of these representing new molecular entities.

Biopharmaceuticals, highlights Boehringer Ingelheim, are highly complex drugs and at the same time one of the fastest growing drug segments of the pharmaceutical industry.

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-This startup aims to improve recycling by capturing ‘chemical fingerprints’ with high-tech cameras

Metaspectral uses hyperspectral cameras to rapidly create a chemical fingerprint of plastic items, distinguishing between polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) plastics. In some cases, their technology can also differentiate between low- and high-quality forms of the same plastics.

If you’re someone who recycles, you’ve experienced that paralyzed moment in front of a row of waste bins not knowing where your plastic fork and cup are meant to go.

Now imagine you had to accurately sort your plastic trash as it whizzed by on a conveyor belt at the rate of 3 feet per second. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

British Columbia’s Metaspectral is up for that challenge.

The startup has created technology using hyperspectral cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly identify and sort plastics for recycling. While distinguishing between many plastics is essentially impossible with a regular camera that sees only red, blue and green, a hyperspectral camera can capture up to 300 frequencies of light.

“Each one of those 300 bounces back differently,” said Francis Doumet, Metaspectral CEO and co-founder. “It allows us to make up a chemical fingerprint off the material we’re looking at.”

The Vancouver-based startup recently received a $419,000 grant from a government initiative to curb plastic waste. It previously landed $300,000 from the same source, called the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund.

Metaspectral also closed a $4.7 million seed round in November.

The company’s technology currently is being used by one of B.C.’s main recyclers to sort between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic used to make items like water bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic used for goods such as milk bottles and food containers. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

Its system can also distinguish between purer, high-quality PET items and PET that’s mixed with other materials, making it lower quality.

The new grant will support research to differentiate between homopolymer HDPE that’s typically found in milk jugs and copolymer HDPE often used for detergent, shampoo and automotive oil containers.

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-Maire Tecnimont has suspended contracts in Russian projects

Maire Technimont is terminating contracts with contractors and subcontractors for the design, procurement and services at the site (EPSS) of the Amur Gas Chemical Complex for polyethylene and polypropylene and linear alpha-olefins plants, the company said in a statement.

In 2020, Maire Tecnimont signed a contract for “Design, Procurement and On-Site Services (EPSS) for polyethylene and polypropylene and linear alpha olefins at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (AGCC, a joint venture between SIBUR and China’s Sinopec).

Due to the geopolitical situation and the sanctions imposed on Russia, Maire Tecnimont and the Amur Gas Chemical Complex agreed to suspend work until April 2023.

The company clarifies that now it is undergoing re-registration of contracts with subcontractors and suppliers for the customer and termination of other contracts with subcontractors and suppliers. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

Maire Tecnimont also announced that in 2022 the contract with Kazanorgsintez for the engineering and purchase of equipment for the LDPE/EVA autoclave plant was suspended.

In August 2021, subsidiaries of the Italian engineering company Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. received a contract for the construction of a new Kazanorgsintez plant for the production of high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) at the existing WWTP complex in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia).

The capacity of the new enterprise should be 100 thousand tons of LDPE / EVA per year.

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-The 3D woven fabrics market size is expected to grow from US$ 120.87 million in 2022 to US$ 266.34 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2022 to 2028

3D woven fabrics are made with three-dimensional structures that are produced by interlacing yarns or fibers in three directions (x, y, and z). These fabrics have a unique and complex structure, which makes them useful in a wide range of applications, such as aerospace, automotive, building and construction, and other industries.

The woven process of 3D woven fabrics involves interlacing two sets of yarns or fibers at right angles to each other, forming a two-dimensional plane. Then, a third set of yarns or fibers is woven through this plane at a 90-degree angle to create the third dimension. This creates a solid, stable structure with excellent mechanical properties. The global 3D woven fabrics market is mainly driven by the increasing demand for 3D woven fabrics from automotive and aircraft industry. Moreover, the market growth is fueled by a rise in the utilization of carbon fiber in various end-use industries. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

The higher utilization rate of carbon fiber in end-use industries such as aerospace, automotive, building and construction, and defense and military has broadened the scope of carbon fiber 3D woven fabrics. Automotive is one of the fastest-growing sectors across the globe and will expand rapidly in the coming years. Rise in preference of lightweight vehicles to improve efficiency and fuel economy is boosting the sector. Further, the increasing use of 3D woven fabrics in the automotive sector is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the 3D woven fabrics market growth during the forecast period.

Based on application, the 3D woven fabrics market is segmented into ballistics, aircraft, transportation, building & construction, and others. The aircraft segment registered a larger share of the 3D woven fabrics market in 2022. 3D woven components exhibit high strength and wear capabilities compared to aluminum and steel alternatives.

They allow weight reduction in existing airframe and structural components and have the ability to weave complex 3D shapes, such as turbine blades, without any worry about delamination. R-PET-price – 3D-woven fabrics

The adoption of 3D woven fabrics in aerospace manufacturing is increasing globally. Constant cross-section 3D Pi structures in the fabrics have been developed over the last decade and are being used in current developments worldwide. Solid 3D structures are being considered and developed for more technical aerospace applications where their interlaminar sheer properties are expected to improve composite performance further.

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Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2 26-04-2023

Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

Crude Oil Prices Trend

-Lululemon debuts plant-based nylon shirts

Lululemon Athletica Inc. has launched what it describes as its first plant-based, sustainably derived nylon items in an effort to win over customers looking for more eco-friendly clothing.

The novel material, which the Vancouver-based company claimed was produced by ‘fermenting plant sugars into the chemical building blocks used to form nylon,’ was launched on 18th April.

The items are a result of their collaboration with Genomatica, Inc., a provider of sustainable materials, in which Lululemon has held stock since 2021.

Together, the businesses used fermentation and biotechnology to transform plant-based materials into the building blocks of nylon. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

Petroleum made from coal, natural gas, or crude oil—fossil fuels known to exacerbate global warming—is commonly used to make nylon. Instead, the new shirts from Lululemon will be made using microorganisms with a biological basis.

The ‘Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve’ shirt for women and the ‘Nylon Metal Vent’ shirt for men are Lululemon’s first two plant-based nylon items.

“We’ve been working on plant-based nylon with our partner Geno for almost two years,” Esther Speck, Lululemon senior VP, global sustainable business and impact, said in a press release.

The price of the shirts, which is US $ 78 for men and US $ 68 for women, is comparable to the retail price of counterparts made of traditional fabrics.

The short-sleeved shirts are composed of 3 per cent elastane, 40 per cent recycled polyester, and 50 per cent nylon from biological sources. 30 per cent of the elastane component is made from plants. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

“Today marks a major achievement: Biotechnology has successfully fermented plant sugars into the chemical building blocks used to make nylon, bringing to life a renewable, plant-based nylon,” Geno founder Christophe Schilling said in a statement.

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-Expanded polypropylene containers for food delivery revealed by Seal Packaging

Seal Packaging has launched Infinity TopSeal – its mono-material, recyclable packaging solution made from Klöckner Pentaplast’s expanded polypropylene with a heat-sealable film lid – for use in food service and delivery applications.

Infinity TopSeal is envisioned for use in restaurants, pubs, garden centres, healthcare, and other applications. It is designed to serve as a drop-in replacement for rigid polypropylene containers without requiring additional investment, as it is apparently compatible with existing sealing equipment. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

As well as being easy to use, according to Seal Packaging, it offers insulating properties that claim to keep food over 10°C hotter over a longer period of time than its market alternatives. At the same time, it is said to provide a low heat transfer rate that keeps the packaging itself cool to the touch.

Additional features reportedly include water resistance without the need to provide extra coatings or additives; and resistance to the acids, alkalis, and hot oils that can be found in various foods and sauces. These features are set to keep food warm and reduce both leakage and odour transfer.

Furthermore, its tamper evidence is said to ensure that food is secure and delivered with integrity. As such, the solution aims to guarantee hygiene and prevent product loss or interference during delivery, which both protects consumers and maintains the reputation of the food outlet.

With various retailers phasing expanded polystyrene out of their packaging, especially in light of legislative changes banning the material in Scotland and England, expanded polypropylene is anticipated to be a suitable replacement. Infinity TopSeal is also expected to contribute towards Seal Packaging’s goal of enabling its customers to reach net zero and ensuring that its products are as sustainable as possible across every stage of the value chain. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

“At Seal Packaging, our mantra is ‘Packaging with Integrity’ and we are always seeking sustainable solutions which deliver as many operator and end-user benefits as possible,” says Kevin Curran, who acquired Seal Packaging alongside Sally Gabbitas last year. “Infinity TopSeal is a truly revolutionary packaging solution, which ticks so many boxes.

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-Krones: Consistently high speed achieved with recyclable sleeves

Standard PETG sleeve labels remain a major challenge for recycling systems because it is impossible to separate them dependably from the crystallised PET that bottles are made of. This may reduce a recycling system’s efficiency. For the circular economy, in turn, this can prevent valuable resources from being used to optimum effect.

Successful field test at PepsiCo in Rodgau

To counter that, the label manufacturer CCL has developed a new product: EcoFloat sleeves. These consist of polyolefin and therefore possess a lower density than the PET that bottles are made of. This allows the sleeve labels to be separated from the bottles in recycling systems, using the sink-float method. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

In a field test conducted on a high-speed Pepsi-Co line in Rodgau, a sleeving machine from Krones has now successfully dressed 0.5- and 1.5-litre Lipton Iced Tea bottles in these recyclable EcoFloat polyolefin sleeve labels, which are applied using the following kit:

• a Sleevematic TS sleeve labeller with a Multireel S magazine for the sleeve reels,
• a Shrinkmat steam tunnel,
• two Linadry container dryers, one installed upstream of the labeller and the other one downstream of the steam tunnel.

In order to maximise both machine availability and efficiency with the EcoFloat sleeves, the Sleevematic TS has been equipped with special add-on components suitable for processing polyolefin, like specifically adapted rollers and cutting tools. It took just one day to install them, with the machine then immediately reaching top speed and maximum efficiency.  Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

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-As Packaging Recycling Evolves, So Does the How2Recycle Label

SPC’s How2Recycle label program is drawing on members’ experience and working with industry groups to guide consumers to a more sustainable future.

The How2Recycle sustainability label is evolving, with multiple projects queued up to keep consumers up to date on what’s recyclable and to improve the quality and quantity of recycled materials.

The How2Recycle standardized labeling system began as a pilot program  in the United States in 2012 and has also been used in Canada for several years.

Its goal is to clearly communicate recycling instructions to consumers and reduce confusion by improving the reliability, completeness, and transparency of recyclability claims. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) ,which is part of GreenBlue, a Charlottesville, VA-based nonprofit. Some 500 brand owners and retailers are members of How2Recycle, and tens of thousands of products currently display the label.

How2Recycle recently announced the next steps in its evolution, which include:

• Increasing consumer education and interaction with a more dynamic label.
• Developing strategic relationships with industry partners, including the Recycling Partnership, the Carton Council, and the Association of Plastics Recyclers..
• Launching a new packaging design collaborative with SPC and How2Recycle members to bring together brands, retailers, and design agencies to prototype future How2Recycle labels. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2
• Participating in changes to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Green Guides. FTC has extended to April 24, 2023 the public comment period on potential updates to its Green Guides, which regulate environmental marketing claims. The How2Recycle label was designed to comply with the FTC Green Guides.

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-DyStar to restructure German facility, reduce staff

Speciality chemical company DyStar has announced plans to restructure its Ludwigshafen facility located in Germany, which it says will involve a diversification of production activity out of Europe and a reduction in manpower.

he strategic decision to update its Germany facility has been made by DyStar in response to changing business conditions and market shifts, the company said.

“This is an important strategic move for DyStar. We will focus on developing key emerging markets, which have been shifting over a decade. In the wake of higher energy costs and inflation, DyStar is determined to further improve cost efficiency and drive sustainable productivity as we continue to deliver the highest quality of innovative products that support the global supply chain,” said Xu Yalin, managing director, and president of DyStar Group. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

The facility has been an integral part of the company’s global network, the company says. DyStar inherited the facility from its founders who started the Indigo research and manufacturing more than 125 years ago.

Eric Hopmann, chief commercial officer of DyStar Group, added: “The restructuring of this facility will be carried out in a phased manner. DyStar will diversify the production activity out of Europe and start with the reduction of manpower as a consequence. DyStar’s customers can be further assured of undisrupted supply, hence their production should not be affected as we will work closely to meet their specific requirements.”

Dystar said it understands the change will impact its employees, customers and suppliers, but said it is “committed to treating all affected parties with due respect and dignity throughout the restructuring process”.

The company added: “We thank all our employees for their loyalty and dedicated service, and we are committed to providing them with all necessary support, including severance packages. DyStar will also work with local authorities and Human Resources to support our affected employees and their families during this period.” Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

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-Monforts’ seminars and discussions on green hydrogen as new energy source for textile processes

At ITMA 2023 in Milan from June 8-14 this year, Monforts is organising two free-to-attend seminars and discussions on the potential of green hydrogen as a new energy source for textile finishing, drying and related processes.

The seminars will take place at the company’s stand B106 in Hall 18 on Friday June 9 at 11am, and Monday June 12, also at 11am, and all are welcome.

Monforts is currently leading a consortium of industrial partners and universities in the three-year WasserSTOFF project, launched in November 2022, that is exploring all aspects of this exciting and fast-rising new industrial energy option.

The target of the government-funded project is to establish to what extent hydrogen can be used in the future as an alternative heating source for textile finishing processes. This will first involve tests on laboratory equipment together with associated partners and the results will then be transferred to a stenter frame at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center (ATC).  Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

“Everybody knows that textile finishing is a high energy consuming process,” says Monforts Managing Director Gunnar Meyer.”To make this process more efficient, Monforts already offers several solutions, but as a technology leader we are also rising to the challenge of exploring alternative heating options to be ready for the future.”

Purity

To be considered “green”, hydrogen must be produced using a zero-carbon process that is powered by renewable energy sources such as wind or solar. Currently, the cleanest method of hydrogen production is electrolysis, using an electrically-powered electrolyzer to separate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The purity of the hydrogen is also important, and impurities must be removed via a separation process.

“Despite all its advantages, there are obstacles to overcome on the way to widespread, economically-feasible green hydrogen use,” explains Monforts Textile Technologies Engineer Jonas Beisel.

“Until there are widely available, reliable and economical sources of this clean power, the cost of producing it will remain prohibitive. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

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-Kelheim, Sandler, pelzGroup Develop Plastic-Free Pantyliner

To be sold under Cosmea brand later this year

Viscose speciality fiber manufacturer Kelheim Fibres, nonwovens producer Sandler and hygiene product manufacturer pelzGROUP have jointly developed a new panty liner that is plastic-free according to the European Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). This innovative solution is a step towards reducing the amount of plastic in hygiene products – and thus also a contribution to tackling the global problem of plastic pollution.

According to a UNEP study on marine litter and microplastics, eight million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. A significant portion of this pollution comes from single-use plastic products, including conventional period products such as pads or panty liners. The need for sustainable alternatives has never been greater, and this collaboration between Kelheim Fibres, Sandler, and Pelz is a much-needed step in the right direction.

The partnership between the three companies was formed under the Open Innovation principle, which allowed for creative idea exchange and facilitated the development of a truly innovative product. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

According to Jessica Zeitler, R&D Specialist at Sandler, “Our collaboration with Kelheim Fibres and pelzGROUP is a great example of how companies can work together to create solutions that benefit both the environment and consumers. We are proud to be part of this project and the opportunities it offers.”

For hygiene product manufacturer pelzGROUP, it is important to combine sustainability and performance to achieve broad acceptance in the market. “Our panty liner meets the strict requirements of the European Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) while also matching the performance of conventional synthetic products. At the same time, our new panty liner has a completely European supply chain. This means short distances and therefore low CO2 emissions, and – especially in times of global disruption – reliability for our customers,” emphasizes Dr. Henning Röttger, Head of Business Development at pelzGROUP.

“Our viscose speciality fibres are an environmentally friendly and high-performance alternative to synthetic materials,” says Dominik Mayer, project manager Fibre & Application Development at Kelheim Fibres. Plant-based-nylon – Green-H2

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Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS 25-04-2023

Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

Crude Oil Prices Trend 

-Plastic-eating bacteria are amazing. But they aren’t going to save the planet

Every so often, a new study about plastic-eating bacteria gets published in a scientific journal. Shortly thereafter, it flashes across the internet as it gets picked up by a flurry of environmental blogs, science and tech websites, and even national news outlets. But no matter what scientists may have discovered in this particular study, the stories you see in the media always seem to take the same spin: some variation of “these new plastic-eating bacteria will help us save the world from plastic pollution!”

Now don’t get me wrong – that’s an extremely exciting prospect, and it’s easy to see why that angle resonates with readers. But it’s also disingenuous to the point of being problematic.  Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but plastic-degrading bacteria aren’t going to save the planet. They are an amazing discovery that, unfortunately, isn’t likely to make a significant dent in Earth’s pollution problem anytime soon – and definitely isn’t going to save us from the impending climate catastrophe.

Here’s why plastic-eating bacteria aren’t the silver bullet that most headlines seem to suggest they are.

Off the rails on a crazy strain

Perhaps the most significant reason that plastic-eating bacteria haven’t rid the world of plastic pollution yet (and probably won’t do so in your lifetime) is that we’ve only identified a small handful that can significantly degrade plastic.

Arguably the most well-known and widely publicized one is Ideonella sakaiensis, a strain of bacteria that was discovered in 2016 in soil samples taken outside of a plastic bottle recycling facility in Japan. Ideonella is exciting because it’s particularly adept at breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the plastic we use to make things like plastic bottles and synthetic fleece. In the right conditions, scientists have shown that these microbes can fully degrade PET in about six weeks. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

But despite how promising this might sound, it’s important to understand that Ideonella is just one microbe that eats one type of plastic – and there are thousands of different plastics in the world. PET only accounts for a small fraction of global plastic waste.

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-BRICS: Reshaping the Global Economic and Political Order

The BRICS term refers to a group of five nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The first summit of this alliance in 2009 sparked debates on its geopolitical and geo-economic significance. The political pundits view it as a new political world order and a shift in power from the ‘Global North’ to the ‘Global South’. The member nations account for almost half of the world’s population and reports suggest that their combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 31.5%, surpassing the G7’s contribution of 30.7%.  Despite their differences in political, economic, and cultural spares, BRICS countries have launched the New Development Bank with seed money of $50 billion to boost their greater integration and strengthen their position in the international arena.

Initially, BRICS was recognized as a forward-thinking economic forum, but its focus shifted after the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

The forum is now pointing out critical matters such as trade, finance, climate change, and energy security, and its impact extends to shaping the global economic landscape. As a result, it is going to challenge the dominance of Western-backed the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The magic bone for BRICS to bring them together is its diversity. Each member country brings a unique set of economic and political landscapes to the forum, which has created a rich tapestry of interests and perspectives. For example, Brazil is a major agricultural exporter, while Russia is a leading energy exporter. India is an emerging economic power which has a large and growing middle class, while China is a global economic and manufacturing superpower. South Africa, meanwhile, is a leading player in the mining industry. This diversity has strengthened BRICS to explore its resources and expertise to pursue the shared challenges of its own development path. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

BRICS is also an outcome of challenging the monopoly and questioning the legitimacy of existing West-backed monetary Institutions and frameworks.  The IMF and World Bank were established after World War II to dominate global trade and market access by the West. These Institutions are facing criticism globally. It works as an expansion tool for the ‘Global North’ by considering political concerns rather than an acute crisis for loan facilities. Even nowadays, they use democracy and Human Rights as a fig leaf to masquerade the Western political agenda. However, BRICS has sought to establish new trading relationships and agreements outside the Western-dominated system, which will curtail the advantages of the West’s so long-enjoyed trade agreements and market access. BRICS has the potential to help poorer countries as it does not pursue any political agenda nor indirectly manipulate and control local economics. Moreover, NDB and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) are more reflective of their priorities to represent the interests of emerging economies. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

Western Monopoly in geopolitics, the recently Russia-Ukraine war has exposed the necessity of massive expansion in BRICS. The success of BRICS has made other economic giants like Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Mexico interested to invest in this bloc. Recently, some Western countries are going through a tremendous economic crisis.

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-Polyolefins yield to lower costs and weak demand

Repsol

In March, polyolefin prices more or less mirrored the rise in ethylene and propylene costs, although the rise did not always match the increase in monomer. LDPE prices increased by just €10/tonne compared to the €30/tonne rise in ethylene costs largely because of weak demand. LLDPE prices, on the other hand, increased in line with the monomer cost rise because of reduced availability. HDPE prices increased by just less than the €30/tonne rise in the ethylene reference price. PP producers attempted to pass on the €30/tonne increase in propylene costs but their efforts were largely unsuccessful with deals also settling on average at just less than the increase in monomer.

PVC producers attempted to factor in the proportionate €15/tonne rise in the cost of ethylene. Base PVC prices, in most cases, were however rolled over from the previous month because of ongoing demand weakness. Polystyrene prices fell by €80-90/tonne, which was less than the €113/tonne reduction for the styrene monomer reference price. Bottle-grade PET prices began to stabilise and were largely unchanged from the previous month. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

In April, polyolefin prices turned downward following a decline of €40/tonne for both the C2 and C3 contract prices. Base PVC prices fell by more than the proportionate €20/tonne impact of the lower ethylene on the PVC cost base because of ongoing demand weakness. Polystyrene prices increased on average by €10/tonne following a rise of €19/tonne for the styrene monomer reference price. PET prices firmed slightly because of higher import prices and an upturn in seasonal demand.

Supply adequate

There was sufficient material available across all polymer classes to meet demand during the last two months despite production curbs and a series of planned and unplanned plant outages.

A summary of selected production issues for European polymer plants are summarised below.

• The LyondellBasell cracker at Berne, France was shut down 3rd April due to a fire
• The Ineos PP plant at Lavera, France was taken offline 6th April and force majeure was declared due to strikes. The plant was restarted as of 13th April while force majeure remained in place
• Kem One declared force majeure on PVC output from Balan, France on 23rd March due to VCM issues stemming from strikes. Force majeure was lifted on 14th April
• Borealis shut down PP production plants in Belgium on 28th March with restart to be announced
• Repsol Quimica shut down its styrene plant in Spain on 30th March with restart to be announced Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS
• TotalEnergies declared force majeure on 20th March for polystyrene, citing supply restrictions due to the escalating nationwide strikes.

 

Demand low

Demand remained below what would normally be expected at the time of year throughout the last two months. In March, converters bought just sufficient material to meet their immediate production needs as prices were expected to fall in April. The Easter break also put a dampener on demand in early April. There has however been a small upturn in seasonal demand during April across the agricultural, building and beverage sectors.

May outlook

At the time of writing (mid-April) crude oil prices and spot monomer prices are rising, which could lead to higher monomer cost settlements in May. With the pressure from rising costs, polymer producers are likely to press for higher prices. Whether or not they can successfully pass through the higher costs will depend largely on demand. Perhaps, the low buying appetite in several end user markets will keep the volumes of demand at modest levels.In March, polyolefin prices more or less mirrored the rise in ethylene and propylene costs,

PET

PET buyers were able to gain discounts of €40-50/tonne in early March but the market tightened as the month progressed. Paraxylene costs fell by less than anticipated (down €20/tonne) and Chinese imports became more expensive. Consequently, European PET prices began to stabilise and largely remained unchanged from the previous month.

Material availability improved slightly as production cutbacks were eased. Demand still remained below normal for the time of year despite an upturn in seasonal demand.

In April, bottle-grade PET prices are firming slightly because of higher import prices and higher demand. The European Commission has initiated an antidumping investigation on PET imports from China and regional buyers have been avoiding this origin as antidumping duty will be applicable on en-route cargos as well. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

Meanwhile, buying activity has improved in line with a normal seasonal demand upturn.

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-Indorama Ventures remains committed to supply North American lithium-ion battery market

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, is continuing to assess plans to build and operate a world-class lithium-ion battery solvents plant at one of its petrochemical facilities in the U.S. Gulf Coast, including sourcing new license partners to speed up the development of the technology, said the company.

Indorama Ventures’ Integrated Oxides & Derivatives (IOD) business segment is exploring licensing opportunities with a range of technology partners, after withdrawing from an initial non-binding agreement with Capchem Technology USA Inc.

Entering the lithium-ion battery market will reinforce the company’s downstream specialty products portfolio, serving attractive end-market applications.

Indorama Ventures is leveraging its global integrated petrochemicals model by investing in adjacent businesses that offer High Value Add (HVA) products that contribute to a more sustainable world. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

Alastair Port, Executive President, Integrated Oxides and Derivatives (IOD), IVL, said, “The EV market is a significant opportunity for Indorama Ventures to leverage our world-class petrochemical assets in the U.S. Gulf Coast, which are ready to host a new world-class lithium-ion battery solvents plant. From our base near Houston, our Integrated Oxides & Derivatives business has a successful track record of working with technology license partners to benefit the high-growth North American market.”

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-Asia likely to see disinflation in coming months: Nomura report

• Asia is likely to see disinflation in the coming months, driven by weaker underlying inflation momentum and helped by base effects, according to Japan-based global financial services group Nomura.
• Reasons include base effects, easing food and energy prices, no wage-price spiral, goods disinflation and likely moderation in services inflation.

Asia is likely to witness disinflation, or a slower pace of inflation, in the coming months, driven by weaker underlying inflation momentum and helped by base effects, according to Japan-based global financial services group Nomura’s Asia Economic Monthly.

By mid-year, inflation momentum, as measured on a month-on-month (MoM), seasonally-adjusted basis, should be closer to central bank targets in most economies following the monetary tightening phase last year, it said. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

Most Asian central banks are now in a policy pause phase and, if underlying inflation moderates accordingly, the window to monetary easing will open up later this year, it noted.

There are seven reasons why Nomura sees faster disinflation in Asia. First, Asia’s inflation is driven more by supply than demand-side factors. Lower oil and global food prices, abating currency depreciation pressures and the full normalisation of pandemic-driven supply chain bottlenecks point to easing supply-side pressures.

Nomura believes the lagged effects of these easing supply-side pressures will materialise in Asia’s inflation readings in coming months.

The second reason is base effects. Comparing this year’s inflation to last year’s high levels on a monthly basis gives rise to base effects that serve to dampen inflation in specific months.

The third is easing food and energy prices should lower headline and core inflation. In Asia’s emerging markets, food and fuel prices drive headline inflation and can spill into core inflation due to second-round effects. Lower food and energy prices should also curtail household inflation expectations. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

The fourth is no wage-price spiral in Asia. Wage spikes caused by mass layoffs and early retirements in the United States are not evident in Asia, where labour markets are less flexible.

Instead, wage growth is starting to moderate, even in economies with tight labour markets like Singapore. Export and manufacturing slowdowns should spill into a weaker labour market and exert downward pressure on wage growth, especially for open economies in the region, Nomura noted.

The fifth reason is goods disinflation. Weaker goods demand and softening input costs will likely result in a slower rise in prices of core goods.

The sisth is likely moderation in services inflation. The post-pandemic release of pent-up demand for services has been exhausted. Moderating wage growth should soothe services inflation. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

China’s unlikelihood to be a source of inflation is the last reason. China’s growth cycle is desynchronised from the rest of the world, and it is not a material source of inflation risk, either to itself or globally. China’s pent-up consumption demand from its reopening is likely to disappoint market expectations, the Nomura report added.

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-Aluula Partners with University to Recycle UHMWPE Composites

Panels made with recycled polymer composites reportedly are 10 times stronger than panels molded from virgin resin.

Composite materials innovator Aluula, which uses a patented no-glue fusion process, has found a way to reuse its products to form panels 10 times stronger than those molded from virgin material.

In a preliminary trial with the University of British Columbia (UBC), end-of-life and off-cut Aluula composites were compressed into new, uniquely light and durable panels — without altering the original fibers made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Aluula, based in Victoria, BC, uses its proprietary method to fuse fibers and films at the molecular level. These components exhibit eight times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel while remaining lighter than nylon, polyester, or aramid. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

The new panels, created jointly with the Composites Research Network at UBC Vancouver, are intended for multiple recycling iterations. Ideal applications will be those that require strength, abrasion resistance, and low friction — items like backpack back panels and low-friction wear plates.

“Working with UBC students on applications for these ultra-strong and ultra-durable products is proving to be invaluable as we refine our processes to ensure the recyclability of Aluula materials,” said Aluula Composites Material Scientist Sam White.

Reuse of polymer composites is particularly important, Aluula explained, because the amount of waste they generate is expected to reach 683,000 tons a year by 2025 — the equivalent of 785 swimming pools filled with composite waste.

Aluula’s Durlyte, Gold, and Graflyte products exhibit a range of benefits, including resistance to water, UV damage, and bacterial growth.

The company’s materials have been used in wind sports, aerospace, outdoor, and sailing applications. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

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-Recycling plastic can be a little confusing. Here’s what the numbers inside the recycling symbol mean

KEY POINTS:

• Plastics labeled with a number 1 inside the recycling symbol are about 20.9% likely to be reprocessed, according to Greenpeace.
• Plastics numbered 3 through 7 have a reprocessing rate of less than 5%, according to the Greenpeace report.

Only 4.7% of plastic produced by U.S. households in 2021 was recycled, according to a Greenpeace USA report.

But that’s not for lack of consumer participation. Greenpeace said most plastics simply cannot be recycled in the U.S., and since China has increased its standards for accepting recyclables, less plastic is getting reprocessed. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

In honor of Earth Day, here’s what you should know about the different types of plastics and which ones are likely to be reprocessed.

There are seven different types of plastics in consumer products, two of which are considered the most recyclable: PET, represented by the number 1 inside the recycling symbol, and HDPE, represented by the number 2.

Plastics labeled with a number 1 are about 20.9% likely to be reprocessed, according to the Greenpeace report.

These typically include soda bottles, peanut butter jars and other types of clear plastics. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate.

Greenpeace found that plastics with the number 2 inside the symbol are half as likely as number 1 to be reprocessed, at 10.3%.

Examples of HDPE, which stands for high-density polyethylene, include laundry detergent bottles, shampoo bottles and other types of solid-colored plastics.

After that, plastics numbered 3 through 7 have a reprocessing rate of less than 5%, according to the Greenpeace report.

It is still important to know the difference between the types of plastics, since municipalities handle each type of plastic differently.

Plastics labeled number 3 are polyvinyl chloride, which is used to make items such as vinyl records and PVC pipes, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Plastic-eating-bacteria – BRICS

LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is labeled with the number 4 and can be used to make bread bags, bubble wrap, cling wrap and more. This type of plastic film is often collected separately from plastics labeled 1 and 2. In New York City, for example, large grocery stores are required to have a collection bin for these types of plastics, which should not be collected in curbside recycling bins.

Plastics labeled number 5 are polypropylene, or PP, which can be used to make yogurt containers and other dairy product tubs, according to the conservation department.

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Automotive industry – Petrochemicals 24-04-2023

Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

-Petrochemicals – Polymers -Naphtha

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Crude Oil Prices Trend 

-RadiciGroup announces the opening of its new factory in China

A 36,000m2 LEED Gold-certified facility, designed for environmental and social sustainability. The Group steps up its operations in Asia, to serve a local high performance polymer market in constant expansion

The new RadiciGroup industrial site in Suzhou, China has been officially opened. Designed to double capacity for manufacturing engineering polymers, the area will significantly step up the Group’s presence on the Asian market as a key player serving numerous sectors – from the automotive and electrical/electronics industries to consumer and industrial goods.

The Group has had production operations in China since 2006, when it first opened in a small factory in Jiangsu Province. In 2012 it moved to a larger site, to then start on the construction from the ground up of this new fully-owned facility, designed for future scalability, as required. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

RadiciGroup invested €35 million in the development of the new complex, sited on 36,000 square metres of land, around half of which is occupied by production and research & development facilities. The rest houses offices, meeting rooms and communal areas, along with gardens and parking areas.

The state-of-the-art complex features the most advanced green building technologies available today, for which it is LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. This international standard for high-performance green buildings incorporates parameters such as benefits for the environment and human health, the reduced consumption of water, energy efficiency and the use of environmentally-friendly building materials and solutions. Notable features of the Suzhou site include the installation of a continuous monitoring system to ensure the energy efficiency of the building, rooftop solar panels to produce renewable energy, and a rainwater recycling system to meet the water needs of the site. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

The site has also earned GBL-2 Star certification, a Chinese standard for building sustainability, demonstrating the attention China focuses on green building solutions.

A choice perfectly in keeping with the RadiciGroup’s sustainability strategy, designed to build industrial and business growth on the responsible use of resources and a commitment to human rights, labour rights and individual rights.

“Working in harmony with the environment and people runs deep in our veins,” explains Angelo Radici, President of RadiciGroup.

“That’s been true ever since the 1940s, when we first opened in Italy as blanket manufacturers, to then diversify our operations and move closer to our customers around the world. Since starting up manufacturing operations in China more then fifteen years ago, we have grown immensely, together with the local market. Our materials are used by customers that in turn manufacture in China to satisfy the needs of local consumers. If years ago there was a shortage of skilled workers, today the Suzhou district is highly developed and people are skilled and specialised in various fields. In our case, that has also enabled us to retain our workers, drastically lowering turnover compared to the past, and so some of the solutions that we research and develop in China become benchmarks for the entire Group, thanks to our international network.” Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

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-Trinseo now offers mass-balanced ABS with 95% sustainable content

Bio-attributed material equivalent to fossil-based counterpart

Trinseo has added a new grade to its Magnum ABS family. Complementing the bio formulations of the material made with 60 and 80 percent bio-attributed content made available in late 2022, the company has now launched a version with 95 percent mass-balanced renewably sourced content. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

“As customers focus on sustainable solutions, Trinseo continues to invest in technologies that offer an alternative to materials based on traditional feedstocks,” said Romulo Bouzas, product manager, Copolymers EMEA. Equivalent to their fossil-based counterparts with identical physical properties, Trinseo’s bio ABS materials can serve as drop in replacements and can be used with existing tooling and equipment under the same processing conditions, requiring no adjustments.

During polymerisation, fossil-based polymers are combined with renewable raw materials – an approach that has now enabled the creation of the new Magnum Bio ABS resin with 95 percent bio-attributed content, based on the ISCC mass balance approach. As a result, the material offers a 92% lower product carbon footprint (PCF). In the Bio 60 and Bio 80 formulations, fewer feedstocks are replaced, and the PCF reduction is 58% and 77% respectively.

Trinseo’s family of bio-attributed ABS are part of the new Trinseo CO2NET portfolio established earlier this year. These products all undergo a Product Carbon Footprint Assessment, a systematic cradle-to-gate analysis of the product’s potential environmental impact and ensures that their carbon footprint can be gauged correctly.  Materials qualifying for the CO2NET product portfolio are required to generate at least 50% fewer carbon emissions compared to their fossil-derived counterparts, with the goal of lowering emissions to net zero carbon. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

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-First biodegradable fusible cotton shirt interlining

Freudenberg’s new 46xx range helps reduce environmental impact and supports customers in achieving their own sustainability objectives.

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg) has reached another milestone in the development of sustainable textile solutions, launching the apparel industry’s first biodegradable fusible cotton shirt interlinings range 46xx.

With this innovation, the world’s leading specialist in woven, knitted, weft and nonwoven interlinings reduces its impact on the environment and supports customers in achieving their own sustainability objectives. In Asia, the series is marketed under the name 42xx series. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

Hohenstein approved

The new Freudenberg fusible interlinings for shirts and blouses have been developed in such a way that they are harmless to people and the environment at the end of their life cycle. Germany’s independent Hohenstein Laboratories performed biodegradation tests on the 46xx series, based on the Hohenstein method which draws on DIN EN ISO 11721-2:2003 and EN ISO 846, and approved it as biodegradable and ecotoxicologically harmless. The tests by Hohenstein showed no negative effects on either the germination of garden cress or on earthworms in the acute toxicity test.

Energy-saving interlining

The new biodegradable shirt interlinings also show great potential for energy saving, as the fusing can be performed at a low temperature. Concretely, this means that the resulting temperature between the upper fabric and the shirt interlining during fusing is only 127°C which is significantly lower than the commonly used temperature of 143°C.

Certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Class II for successfully testing for no harmful substances, the shirt interlinings are washable at up to 40°C and resistant to dry cleaning. Freudenberg further proved in washing and degradability tests that the interlining is superior to conventional products in terms of quality.

In addition, it has also passed all ecological-toxicological tests and is a perfect end-of-life cycle solution. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

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-Dimethyl Terephthalate Market is Expected to Surpass Revenues Worth USD 1.2 Billion by 2033

A recent market research analysis by Persistence Market Research estimates that Dimethyl Terephthalate Market sales will reach US$ 814 million globally in 2022. By the conclusion of the projection period, the market is expected to be worth US$ 1.2 billion, with a predicted CAGR of 21.3% from 2023 to 2033. Between 2023 and 2033, the market for dimethyl terephthalate in the food and beverage industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 3.2% and be very profitable.

Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a raw material for the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins, which are widely used in the packaging, textile, and automotive industries. The global DMT market has been experiencing steady growth due to the increasing demand for PET resins in various end-use applications. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

This research report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the DMT market, including market size, trends, drivers, challenges, and opportunities.

This research report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research involved interviews with industry experts, manufacturers, and stakeholders, while secondary research involved the study of various industry reports, journals, and databases. Market data and information were analyzed using statistical techniques, and the findings are presented in a clear and concise manner.

Market Trends

Increasing Demand for Sustainable Packaging: There is a growing awareness among consumers and industries about the need for sustainable packaging solutions. PET resins produced from DMT are known for their excellent recyclability, which makes them a preferred choice for sustainable packaging. As more companies and governments focus on reducing plastic waste and promoting circular economy principles, the demand for DMT for PET resin production is expected to increase. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

Technological Advancements in DMT Production: Technological advancements in DMT production processes, such as continuous processing, improved catalysts, and energy-efficient methods, are driving the efficiency and sustainability of DMT production. These advancements are expected to result in improved yields, reduced energy consumption, and lower production costs, thereby positively impacting the DMT market.

Growing Demand for PET Fibers: The demand for polyester fibers, which are produced from DMT, is expected to increase due to the growing demand for textiles and apparel, particularly in emerging economies. Polyester fibers are known for their durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, which make them a preferred choice for various textile applications. The growing fashion industry, changing consumer preferences, and increasing disposable incomes are expected to drive the demand for polyester fibers, thereby impacting the demand for DMT. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

Focus on Product Innovation: Key players in the DMT market are focusing on product innovations to enhance the properties and performance of PET resins and polyester fibers. For instance, there is a growing trend of developing bio-based PET resins from renewable sources, such as bio-based feedstocks and recycled plastics, to reduce the reliance on fossil-based raw materials and reduce the environmental impact of PET production. Such product innovations are expected to create new growth opportunities in the DMT market.

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-Car live ticker: Tesla depends on VW in Germany

According to figures from the Association of automotive industry (VDA) around 3.2 million passenger cars were newly registered in Europe in the first quarter of 2023, 17 percent more than in the same period of the previous year. All five large individual markets grew, especially Spain (up 45 percent) and Italy (up 26 percent). In Deutschland the number of new registrations increased by 7 percent. Overall, the volume remains in Europa however 22 percent below the pre-corona year 2019. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

In the USA passenger car sales rose in the first three months of the year by 8 percent above the 2022 value to almost 3.6 million units. were particularly popular Pick-ups and heavy-duty SUVs accounted for 79 percent of the total market turn off. The American market is also still 11 percent below the first quarter of 2019 in the first quarter.

While the US and Europe gained demand for new cars shrank in China. Around 5.1 million new registrations after three months correspond to one 7 percent decrease. Even a strong March with a plus of 23 percent could not compensate for the weak figures from January and February.

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-Vietnam & Cambodia among Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies

• Vietnam and Cambodia are among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, with both countries projected to experience GDP growth of 5.8 per cent in 2023.
• Vietnam’s public debt is expected to remain the lowest among eight ASEAN members.
• Cambodia’s economy is expected to benefit from new trade agreements that promote inward investment and exports. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

Vietnam and Cambodia are among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, as per several major organisations. Vietnam is projected to experience a 5.8 per cent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, positioning it in a tie for second place in the region with Cambodia, following the Philippines, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

Vietnam’s public debt is also expected to remain the lowest among eight Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. Projected to reach 6.9 per cent by 2024, Vietnam’s GDP growth is expected to be the highest among Southeast Asian countries. The country’s public debt is estimated to decrease to 31.3 per cent of the national GDP by 2028—the lowest in two decades. In terms of inflation, Vietnam is expected to reach 5 per cent and 3 per cent in 2023 and 2024, respectively, several local media reports said quoting the IMF. Automotive industry – Petrochemicals

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that Cambodia is anticipated to experience a GDP growth rate of 5.5 per cent in 2023 and 6.0 per cent in 2024. The country’s inflation rates are forecast at 3 per cent and 4 per cent in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Cambodia’s per capita GDP growth is expected to be 4.1 per cent in 2023 and 4.6 per cent in 2024.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecast that Cambodia’s real GDP growth will accelerate slightly to 5.3 per cent in 2023, after an estimated 5.1 per cent in 2022.

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Chemical recycling – Blown-film

-Plastics industry survey shows public support for chemical recycling

As the Federal Trade Commission begins rewriting its environmental marketing Green Guides, the Plastics Industry Association is out with a survey that says consumers equally support both older mechanical recycling and newer chemical recycling technologies.

The association also noted prominently in an April 19 news release that its survey found that 62 percent of the public believes that “single-use plastics are important to their quality of life.”

Still, it was public opinion about advanced recycling, as the group calls chemical recycling, that drew most of the survey’s attention. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

How to label plastics made from advanced recycling is likely to be a flashpoint in the debate before the FTC, with environmental groups viewing the technology very skeptically.

But the Washington-based plastics association said a national survey of 1,200 U.S. voters found that consumers “overwhelmingly support” all types of recycling technology when deciding whether materials should be labeled as being recyclable or containing recycled content.

“Consumers don’t discriminate against technologies like advanced recycling which enable them to recycle more of the plastic products they use,” said Matt Seaholm, president of the group. “They want labels or branding to be simple and consistent and are more focused on keeping plastics in a recycling bin and out of the landfill.

“Our goal is to build a more circular economy, and that means enabling consumers to easily find and purchase products and packaging that are designed to be recycled or made from recycled content,” he said.

When FTC launched the Green Guides review in December, one of the questions it asked was how the terms “recyclable” and “recycled content” should be used in marketing.

As well, FTC Chair Lina Khan said consumers are confused about whether plastics collected in curbside programs are actually recycled. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

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-Evlox incorporates Recover into denim fabrics

Spanish company will launch its first capsule collection called Re-Iconics by Evlox, incorporating recycled cotton fibre.

Madrid headquartered Evlox and Recover have signed a multi-year agreement with the common goal of promoting innovative technologies that will help move towards a circular textiles industry.

As part of the agreement, Evlox commits to purchasing Recover’s recycled cotton fibre, a high-quality fibre created entirely from textile waste and produced with minimal environment impact and incorporating it into its denim fabrics. The agreement is significant for Evlox’s plans to scale its sustainable product offering and fulfils the 2025 objectives set out in its corporate social responsibility program.

Using Recover, Evlox will continue to minimize the use of virgin resources and move towards a circular production model, manufacturing a high-quality denim fabric while significantly reducing its impact. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

As part of the collaboration, Evlox will launch its first capsule collection called Re-Iconics by Evlox, coinciding with the release of its new AW 24-25 collection this month. The vintage capsule collection is a tribute to the classic denim fabrics that have been successful in past decades, adding a sustainable component with Recover’s recycled fibre, produced in Spain.

Alfredo Ferre, CEO at Recover, commented: “Our new partnership with Evlox, a textile manufacturer with a clear sustainable vision at its core, allows us to continue building and scaling a circular and traceable supply chain with Recover, so that we can offer brands a sustainable and high-quality solution.”

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-Elite Plastics invests in 3-layer Bandera blown film line

The line has been developed to produce film with at least 30% recycled content

Elite Plastics, one of the UK’s leading PE extrusion companies, is known for keeping up with the significant advancement and innovation in polymer technologies. Their research and development have enabled them to create ‘recipes’ that enable them to manufacture cutting-edge polythene films for multiple industries. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

To help them stay at the forefront of their industry, the company has invested in a bespoke 3-layer co-extrusion blown film line from Italian designer and manufacturer of complete extrusions line for packaging and converting, Bandera. The line has been developed to utilise at least 30% recycled content into the film recipe whilst still maintaining the technical characteristics Elite’s customers’ demand. It features a compact and functional layout providing Elite with maximum flexibility for a variety of applications. It also has a flexo printing facility.

According to Josh Salmon, commercial director at Elite Plastics, Italy-based Bandera are among the world leaders in building complete blown film lines.  The company started in 1947 and with this heritage comes decades of experience and expertise, he said, and they utilise the latest technologies to produce lines that will allow us to drive forward technical innovation in the film market. Elite Plastics asked Bandera to propose a state-of-the-art line for Elite Plastics, and ‘Bandera met the brief perfectly’.

It has been a long process for Elite Plastics to get to the point of commissioning this state-of-the-art line. The site had to be prepared, and crucially the roof had to be raised to provide the required height. Elite took advantage of the opportunity to install a large Solar PV system on the roofs of both their extrusion halls, as part of its Net Zero Strategy.

Film produced on the brand-new Bandera line – and their other lines, for that matter – will have been made partially utilising solar power, reducing the carbon footprint of the products. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

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-Eastman announces completion of automotive recycling project

Eastman has announced the successful completion of the closed-loop recycling project for automotive mixed plastic waste. Through a collaborative effort, Eastman, the United States Automotive Materials Partnership LLC (USAMP), automotive recycler PADNOS and global automotive interior supplier Yanfeng, claim they have demonstrated first of its kind plastic recycling from the by-product of shredding end-of-life vehicles.

When automobiles are at the end of their life, metals, tires and glass account for 80%–90% of the materials that can be recycled through traditional mechanical recycling streams. The other 10%–20%, referred to as automotive shredder residue (ASR), consists of mixed plastic and other nonrecycled materials that currently end up in landfills or are recovered through waste-to-energy technologies. Under this initiative, PADNOS supplied a plastic-rich fraction of ASR as a sustainable feedstock to Eastman’s carbon renewal technology (CRT). Chemical recycling – Blown-film

Eastman says it successfully demonstrated addition and conversion of that ASR feedstock into a synthesis gas (syngas) which is subsequently used downstream in the production of its polyester and cellulosic thermoplastics. The company says resins from this production process were further formulated and then supplied to Yanfeng.

The parts moulded by Yanfeng for demonstration were successfully tested to meet a variety of OEM – Ford, GM, and Stellantis – requirements, thereby demonstrating proof of concept for a truly circular solution.

The study proved feasibility of Eastman’s carbon renewal technology (CRT), one of Eastman’s two molecular recycling technologies, which breaks down the plastic-rich ASR into molecular building blocks. By recycling these plastics in CRT, Eastman claims it can replace fossil-based feedstock and create polymers without compromising performance for use in new automotive applications. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

In addition to diverting waste from landfills, USAMP, a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR) also sees the potential for energy savings and reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions.

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-Advanced Recycling Is Recycling, 88% of Americans Say in Survey

Consumer Survey Based on FTC Green Guides Questions, Serves as Basis for ACC Comments

New consumer perception research shows advanced recycling is a widely supported approach to help recycle more plastics in the U.S. The research, conducted Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, asked Americans questions around recycling and environmental marketing claims relevant to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) planned revisions to its Green Guides. The results showed consumers are supportive of different processes used to recycle post-use plastics — both mechanical and advanced recycling are viewed as equally acceptable processes in the need to increase plastic recycling rates and reduce waste.

The full research report and the evidence-based recommendations from them will be submitted by the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Plastics Division to the FTC as the Commission begins a multi-year effort to update the Green Guides.

Joshua Baca, Vice President, Plastics Division Chemical recycling – Blown-film

Consumers are increasingly interested in supporting the environment through their purchases. They are asking for packaging to contain more recycled plastic and that we increase recycling after use, and the data shows people want advanced recycling to be part of the circularity solution.

Since the Guides were last updated in 2012, newer technologies have commercialized that can help significantly increase the recycling of plastic materials. Consumers view these technologies as an important part of improving recycling.

88% of Americans consider advanced recycling to be recycling.

RECYCLED CONTENT: 85% of consumers believe if a new plastic product is made from plastics processed through advanced recycling, the product could have a label saying it contained “recycled content.”

MEASUREMENT: 7 in 10 Americans (72%) believe a certified third-party measurement called “mass balance” is a responsible way to report how much recycled content is in plastic products.

Even more support this approach (74%) when they are told other industries, such as energy, cocoa and coffee, also use it to support sustainability and other claims.

A majority of respondents (64%) support third-party certifications, which provide more credibility and trust of recycled-content claims. Not surprisingly, nearly two-thirds (65%) of the American public want government recognition of independent third-party certifications for recycled content. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

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-Program for Plastics Recycling Show Europe

The organisers of Plastics Recycling Show Europe, taking place at RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 10-11 May 2023, have published the event’s full conference program featuring over 60 speakers.

Taking place in two theatres for the first time this year, the free-to-attend event will provide a holistic view of the whole plastic recycling value chain, drawing together political leaders, major brands and the plastics recycling and manufacturing industry.

Political & Legislative Developments

Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment in the Government of the Netherlands is the keynote speaker for the opening session entitled Plastics Recycling in Europe – paving the way towards circularity. Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe will chair and present this session looking at the latest political and legislative developments in plastics recycling. Joining them on the rostrum will be Wolfgang Trunk, Economic Analyst – Legislation, DG Environment at the European Commission and Lena Stig, Scientific Officer at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

Design for Recycling

Design for recycling remains as important as ever in improving the circularity of plastics. Speakers confirmed for the session looking at Design Matters: Recyclability is the first step toward circularity include Johannes Daae, Head of Development at Gront Punkt; Scott Trenor, Technical Director at the Association of Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers (APR) and Fabrizio Di Gregorio, Technical Director at Plastics Recyclers Europe.

Materials Focus Sessions

The popular materials focus sessions will explore the challenges, issues and opportunities within the sector for mechanical recycling, covering PET, PVC and Technical Plastics, polyolefin waste streams and polypropylene (PP) recycling. Representatives of major brands participating in these sessions include those from Alpla, Electrolux, Ford Otosan, Berry and Valdelia. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

Chemical Recycling Sessions

Sven Saura, Vice President, Solid Waste Recycling at Veolia will present a future market outlook for chemical recycling, along with Jesper van Berkel, PET Technology & Business Manager at Indorama and Lia Voermans, Director Innovation Strategy at Brightland Chemelot Campus. In addition, a panel discussion on latest technological developments in chemical recycling will be organised with representatives from Ghent University, NextChem and Mura Technology.

Global Market Factors

Samuele Furfari, Professor of Geopolitics and Energy Policy at ESCP London joins the session looking at The push and pull factors impacting the market: working towards a carbon-neutral Europe, alongside Paulina Brzezicka, Advisor Innovation & Digital Finance Advisory at European Investment Bank, Gian de Belder, Technical Director – R&D Packaging Sustainability at Procter & Gamble and his colleague Adam Selby, Purchases Director – Global Resins & Sustainability. Tom Hesselink, Partner Strategy – Deal & Growth at KPMG will present From waste to commodity.

Speakers examining the key issues of Traceability. Transparency. Trust of Recycled Plastic include Adrian Sen, Packaging Sustainability and Innovation Manager at Colgate, Lena Lundberg, Public Affairs and Regulatory Director at Trioworld and Mireia Boada, Project Manager at Plastics Recyclers Europe. Chemical recycling – Blown-film

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-There is a bacterium that eats carbon dioxide “at impressive speed”. The discovery on the island of Vulcano

Messina, 20 April 2023 – A bacterium that was unknown until recently could become our ally in the fight against climate change. It was discovered in Italy, and to be precise, on the island of Vulcano, by an international team of researchers.
It is a cyanobacterium, an aquatic organism that “feeds” on carbon dioxide. According to the results of the ‘2 Frontiers’ project, led by microbiologist Braden Tierney – who among other things heads NASA’s Microbial Analysis Working Group – is capable of transforming Co2 into biomass “at an impressive speed”, much more faster than any other organism.
“Last September, our first expedition, CARBON1, took us to the Aeolian Islands in Sicily – explains Seed Healh, the company funding the project – Here, we identified never-before-seen green photosynthetic bacteria thriving in the underwater volcanic vents off the of the coast”. Chemical recycling – Blown-film
It is no coincidence that the island of Vulcano was chosen as the destination of the expedition of researchers studying cyanobacteria. The water in these parts is in fact extremely rich in carbon dioxide.
After months of study, the researchers concluded that these bacteria “are so efficient at consuming carbon dioxide” that they outrun the best CO2-eating microbes known to date. It is not difficult to imagine the potential of this discovery for research in the field of carbon absorption and transformation technology.
The Guardian talks about it in a dedicated article. “Researchers hope to use microbes that absorb CO2 to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere,” writes Damian Carrington, a journalist specializing in environment and science. Decarbonization is key to curbing the climate crisis but “most scientists agree that even the CO2 will have to be sucked out of the air to limit future damage”.
Mind you, a bacterium is not the panacea. But for Braden Tierny “there will also be circumstances in which we really need a fast-growing aquatic microbe”, explains the scientist interviewed by the Guardian. It could be useful, for example, to be able to create “large ponds that capture carbon”.
In America there are companies that already use bacteria to convert CO2 into biofuels chemicals. “UK-based CyanoCapture, backed by Shell and Elon Musk, is harnessing cyanobacteria to produce biomass and bio-oils.”

The specificity of the ‘new’ bacterium is that it “sinks in water. Which can help collect the CO2 it absorbs.” Chemical recycling – Blown-film

Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling 21-04-2023

Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

Crude Oil Prices Trend

-PFNonwovens reduce carbon footprint using Borealis Bornewables polymers

Sustainable personal hygiene fabrics offer a significantly better environmental profile

PFNonwovens, a leading player in the global hygiene market, has announced that it has opted to  use Borealis’  Bornewables PP resins for the production of its nonwoven materials for the personal hygiene market.

Demographic developments – population growth, aging – are resulting in rising demand for absorbent products in everyday personal hygiene, from baby diapers to feminine hygiene products and incontinence care.

PFN has teamed up with Borealis to use that company’s more sustainable PP resins for the spunbond and meltblown solutions it delivers.

“Anticipating the growing demand for more sustainable nonwoven solutions, we have focused our development resources over the past several years on the circular sphere to accelerate our journey towards climate neutrality,” explains Tonny De Beer, Chief Product, Technology & Sustainability Officer at PFNonwovens Group.

“For PFN’s nonwoven products, fossil-based resins are today the main contributor to the carbon footprint. Therefore, using the Borealis Bornewables instead of standard fossil-based resins will significantly reduce the carbon footprint, even enabling products with a carbon footprint under zero.”  Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

The portfolio of Bornewables consists of direct drop-in replacement materials manufactured with second-generation renewable feedstock derived solely from waste and residue streams, for example, from vegetable oil production, the paper and pulp industry or used cooking oil.

The renewable content in all Bornewables products is mass balance accredited under the ISCC Plus certification standard. This means these waste and residue streams are traceable back to their point of origin, following the ISCC Plus chain of custody, confirming their authenticity. The resins offer a reduced carbon footprint, enabling Borealis’ customers to meet their sustainability targets while maintaining existing quality standards. For PFN this means that for every tonne of certified Bornewables PP used in production, a maximum equivalent amount of nonwoven material can be claimed as certified renewable. And as drop-ins, no adjustments are required to be made to the existing manufacturing process  Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

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-Veocel expands responsible viscose portfolio

Lenzing Group, the global producer of wood-based speciality fibres, has announced the expansion of its sustainable viscose fibre portfolio globally with the launch of carbon neutral Veocel branded viscose fibres for Europe and the US.

In Asia, meanwhile, Lenzing will convert the existing production capacity for conventional viscose into capacity for responsible speciality fibres in the second half of this year. The expansion represents Veocel’s latest act in providing nonwovens value chain partners and brands with offerings that make a positive impact on the environment and empower an industry-wide shift to reduce carbon footprints. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

“Everything we do is centered around Veocel’s mission to be a responsible everyday care brand and demonstrate our care for the future of our planet,” said said Monique Buch, vice president, Global Nonwovens Business, Lenzing. “We believe it is imperative for us to not only reduce our own carbon emissions, but also to empower our partners to reduce their carbon footprint. The launch of our carbon neutral Veocel Viscose fibres via our production plant in Austria and the investment in converting our production plant in Asia to production of environmentally responsible viscose, highlights our commitment to ongoing innovation and driving positive environmental impact. We hope that by taking responsibility to effect real change within the industry, we can build a better tomorrow for future generations.”

For the carbon neutral Veocel Viscose fibres Lenzing has partnered with ClimatePartner, a leading solution provider for corporate climate action. The fibers are made from wood and pulp sources derived from sustainably and responsibly managed forests, following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy and trusted forest certification systems. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

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-Plastics recycling rebounds from pandemic lows

The U.S. plastic bottle recycling rate was 28.2% in 2021, up 1 percentage point from a year earlier, according to an industry report released April 11.

The increase in the bottle recycling rate was driven by PET bottles, the data shows. The country recycled about 28.7% of PET bottles in 2021, up 1.6 percentage points from 2020. The HDPE bottle recycling rate was 28.9%, which was roughly flat from the year before.

PP and other polymers made up an extremely small percentage of other containers.

The report was released today by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) and the U.S. Plastics Pact.

The Recycling Partnership also contributed funding to the research, which was conducted by Stina Inc. using surveys conducted by Stina and the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

In addition to recycling rates, the study shows an overall increase in weights of plastic recovered in 2021, reflecting a bounceback from the pandemic dip in 2020.

In 2021, 5.08 billion pounds total were recovered for recycling, up 5.8% from the year before. That weight includes bottles, non-bottle rigid plastics, film and other plastic, but it excludes foam.

“The 2021 rate report shows the strength of the recycling industry, as they face ongoing challenges including competition with low disposal costs, collection rates and virgin resin prices,” Steve Alexander, APR’s president and CEO, stated in a press release.

HDPE volume down

Within the total weight recycled, there was good news and bad news, however.

The weight of PET bottles recycled came in at 1.93 billion pounds, up 9.3% from the year before. But the weight of HDPE bottles recovered was 927 million pounds, down 1.7% from 2020.  Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

The analysis also showed that domestic reclaimers continue to handle the vast majority of post-consumer plastic recovered here. Overall across all categories, 92.3% of recovered plastic was purchased by domestic reclaimers, and 7.7% was exported in 2021. That breakdown is the result of a trend going back several years.

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-PX hikes on the expectation of gasoline blending demand

PX price rallied again last week amid brisk trading. On Apr 14, a deal of Asia-origin May goods was concluded at $1165/mt and two deals of Asia-origin Jun goods done at $1147/mt CFR. PX price hiked to $1152/mt CFR on Apr 13, new high since Jul 8 2022, and was little changed on Apr 14.

In terms of feedstock, crude oil and naphtha fluctuated upward this week, supportive to PX price. Downstream PTA futures consolidated at highs with advancing momentum weakening, while polyester plant operating rate dropped.

In terms of plant operations, Weilian Chemical’s 1 million mt/yr PX line, CNPC Urumqi’s 1 million mt/yr plant and Taiwan FCFC’s one 950kt/yr plant were shut earlier as scheduled for turnarounds. In mid-week, it was said that there were some troubles in Fujia Dahua’s 2.6 million mt/yr reformer. Afterwards, the troubles were solved and its PX plant operation was not affected. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

There was not much advancing momentum from PX fundamentals, while the main support came from expectations for gasoline blending.

On Apr 11, South Korea announced the export data during Apr 1-10, during which it exported about 103.8kt of PX, new low compared to the same periods of past months this year. About 29kt of PX exports went to the US. Therefore, participants were concerned about tight PX supply in Asia.

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-Enzymes enable infinite recycling

Australian Samsara Eco brings affordable circularity within reach

After taking part in an ideathon aimed at providing solutions for a plastics-free future, Paul Riley embarked on a year-long search for materials or technologies to solve this challenge. The answer he found ultimately resulted in a start-up called Samsara Eco.

In 2019, Paul Riley, an Australian businessman with experience in venture capital and private equity business building participated in a workshop with the CSIRO, a top research organisation in Australia; Woolworths Group, one of Australia’s biggest retail organisations; and several others on the topic of a plastics-free future. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

It was the start of a new direction for Riley, said Ellen Burtenshaw-Davies, Chief of Staff for Samsara Eco during a recent interview with Sustainable Plastics. According to Burtenshaw-Davies, Riley then spent the following year exploring possible options and examining various technologies and their potential readiness for commercialisation that addressed this issue.  At a certain point, completely by chance, he came across an article about two chemistry PhD students at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, who were working on the development of enzymes that could degrade plastic.

He contacted their supervisor and by December of 2020, Samsara Eco had been founded. The start-up, an initiative of Main Sequence (a venture capital fund founded by CSIRO, a federal government-backed research organization, to help commercialise research projects), the ANU, Woolworths Group and Paul Riley, launched with a team of just four people, including the two ANU students, Matthew Spence and Vanessa Vongsouthi, under the name Samsara.  In Sanskrit, Samsara literally means ‘flowing around’ or ‘world’, in reference to the cycle of life, death, rebirth and redeath – a fitting designation for a company developing technology for ‘infinite recycling’. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

Fast forward

Over the next two years, the technology was further developed and expanded. The idea of using enzymes, said Burtenshaw-Davies, is quite obviously not new. Research teams –  in the UK and Japan, for example –  have also discovered enzymes able to degrade plastic; and they’ve been found in, among others, mushrooms, mealworms, and bacteria that degrade plastic  – but, she explained, “none of those will really be able to be adapted for commercial scale recycling or degradation, because they evolved naturally.”

The scientists at Samsara Eco have found ways to optimise these enzymes and are now aiming to commercialise the technology at scale within the short term. They have created a proprietary algorithm to design new-to-nature enzymes specific for different  types of plastics and specific for industrial processes that have a low carbon footprint, said Burtenshaw-Davies.

“And they have been designed to be very efficient, so we don’t need energy- or carbon-intensive preprocessing steps for the plastic that we recycle,” she said.

The first enzymes designed by Samsara were specifically targeted at PET/polyester and these have already been validated and patented. Currently, the company is working to expand its enzyme library further. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

“We will be announcing some new ones designed for plastics found in the packaging industry and in fashion and textiles, but also we are also looking beyond that, at other sectors, such as the automotive industry, as well,” said Burtenshaw-Davies.

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-Multi-Colour Corporation’s shrink sleeves receive a common approval from RecyClass and EPBP

ollowing the partnership established in 2022 between European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) and RecyClass, the first joint approval was issued to MultiColor Corporation (MCC) technologies – ‘RecycLABEL® Floatable SSL Flexo F779752’ & ‘RecycLABEL® Floatable SSL Gravure 40951’.

The tested technologies are printed shrink sleeves and the analysis consisted of evaluating the effects of inks and the shrinkage on the PET recycling process. The use of shrink sleeves eliminates the need for adhesives, which are among the main design for recycling concerns for PET bottles. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

Independent testing was carried out by Plastic Technologies Inc. (PTI), in line with the EPBP’s quick test procedures for bleeding inks1 and for separation by density2. Results show that the two technologies are fully compatible with the PET recycling stream in Europe, given that the coverage of the sleeves should not exceed 70% for bottles of 500 ml and above; and not more than 50% for bottles smaller than 500 ml3. The limitation tied to the size is important to safeguard the efficiency of the sorting of clear PET bottles.

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-Maire Tecnimont Group awarded new technology and high-value engineering contracts

Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. announces that some of its Sustainable Technology Solutions subsidiaries, which are directly controlled by NextChem Holding, have been awarded several new contracts for technology licensing and engineering services for an overall value of approximately USD 90 million, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

These contracts have been granted by international clients mainly in Europe and the Far East.

In particular, Stamicarbon, NextChem Holding innovation and licensing company engaged in nitrogen technologies, has been awarded licensing, process design package and equipment supply contracts for an Ultra-Low Energy grassroots urea plant in the Jiangxi province, China. Nonwovens – Enzymes recycling

This will be the largest Ultra-Low Energy plant with a design capacity of 3,850 metric tons per day and the seventh one globally based on Stamicarbon’s proprietary innovative design, which allows steam consumption to be reduced by about 35% and cooling water consumption by about 16% compared to traditional processes.

We remind, Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. announces that, through its subsidiary NextChem Holding S.p.A., it is expanding into the high-value derivates and biodegradable plastic by-products licensing markets with the acquisition of an 83,5% stake of Conser, a technology licensor and process engineering design company based in Rome, Italy.

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Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA 20-04-2023

Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Crude Oil Prices Trend

-Beverage producer to boost RPET use

Pepsi bottles on a retail shelf.

According to data from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, about 6.3% of the plastic packaging PepsiCo produced in 2021 was PCR. | Zety Akhzar/Shutterstock

PepsiCo will increase its RPET use in Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Aquafina drink bottles in the U.S. in 2023, the company announced.

The beverage brand giant plans to roll out 100% RPET bottles for those brands in multiple areas of the U.S., with the company noting that shifting to 100% RPET reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 30% per bottle, according to a press release.

By 2030, the company’s goal is to eliminate all virgin plastic in Pepsi-branded drink bottles.

The announcement came as the Purchase, N.Y.-based company launched what it calls “pep+ Partners for Tomorrow,” which is a platform to help the company’s business partners achieve their sustainability goals. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Partners for Tomorrow has a PET bottle collection program called CIRQU, formerly known as BottleLoop, that is run on a software platform provided by a company called Replenysh. CIRQU offers on-demand collection of used containers from foodservice and retail customers. The program expanded in 2022 and currently collects bottles and cans from 250 locations across 10 states, the release notes.

PepsiCo produced about 2.5 million metric tons of plastic packaging in 2021. Of that, about 6.3% was post-consumer plastic, according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation data.

California officials recently released PCR usage data among beverage brands, and the data showed PepsiCo averaged 16.8% PRC in its PET bottles in California in 2022. That was down from 23.1% the year before, but it still exceeded the state’s new mandatory minimum of 15%. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

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-SONGWON unveils new range of polymer stabilisers

Songwon Industrial, the 2nd largest manufacturer of polymer stabilizers in the world and a key global specialty chemicals player, is showcasing the newest additions to its broad portfolio of high-performance solutions at Chinaplas 2023 in Shenzhen, China from April 17th – April 20th.

SONGWON claims its proprietary technology and backward integration make it possible for the company to continue to deliver the high quality, consistency and security of supply that customers have come to expect.

With its comprehensive portfolio of antioxidants and UV stabilizers offered in a full range of physical product forms, SONGWON says is perfectly positioned to effectively serve the specific needs of Chinese customers. SONGWON says Chinaplas 2023 offers an ideal opportunity and an excellent platform to highlight its strengths and strong, ongoing commitment to the plastics industry in China. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

In addition to its broad range of products, SONGWON is presenting its latest products: SONGNOX 9228 antioxidant and SONGSORB 1164 UV absorber at the fair. Suitable for packaging, agriculture, building & construction, SONGNOX 9228 antioxidant and SONGSORB 1164 UV absorber are also ideal for use in home & personal care applications.

By making more severe polyolefin processing possible, especially at high temperatures, due to its hydrolytic stability, SONGNOX 9228 antioxidant overcomes the challenges traditional high-performance phosphites/phosphonites face. Moreover, it also delivers excellent color protection for Cr-type high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and engineering resins.

The triazine, SONGSORB 1164, is the latest addition to SONGWON’s UV absorber range and protects plastics against UV light degradation.

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-Co-op employs Polytag’s recycling technology for traceability

Recycling technology innovator, Polytag, is set to apply unique-every-time QR codes and UV tags to Co-op own-label PET 2-litre spring water bottles in an industry-first, offering the convenience retailer visibility of its packaging during the recycling process.

The unique-every-time QR codes will be applied to the pack labels by Co-op’s bottled water supplier at the standard label application speeds, meaning no loss to production efficiency. The QR codes are GS1 compliant and take consumers to a Co-op landing page detailing information about both the retailer’s sustainability and charitable commitments. Within the unique-every-time QR code there is a serial number which can be used to handle fraud-proof rewards, assign loyalty points and secure deposit redemptions.

A UV tag layer invisible to the human eye, printed by Tipografic using UV flexographic inks, is also then applied across the label. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

This UV tag layer enables barcode level information to be captured in the recycling centre and is uploaded to Polytag’s cloud-based analytics dashboard, providing the retailer with real-time insights on whether packaging is actually recycled, and in what volumes.

The UV tag reading technology was developed by Polytag in partnership with researchers at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. It is fitted to the plastics conveyer at Abergele’s Gofer Bulking Centre in Wales.

Both the visible QR codes and ‘hidden’ UV tags pave the way for a cost-effective, Digital Deposit Return Scheme (DDRS). In future, scanning the unique QR code on used product packaging, has the potential to allow consumers to reclaim their deposit via their smartphones, from home. The printing of UV tags provides key supply chain stakeholders – manufacturers, retailers and recycling authorities – access to unique packaging lifecycle data, including where and when it was produced and the percentage of recycled material it contains, protecting against fraud. For this trial, the QR codes will be used as a communication tool, transporting customers to the landing page when scanned.

Furthermore, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on the horizon, brands classed as obligated packaging producers maybe required to benchmark their progress. Both on-pack QR codes and UV tags will provide brands with the data to easily ‘describe, tag and trace’ their plastic packaging through the circular economy, while also streamlining packaging and recycling operations. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

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-Additive Renders Plastic Packaging Biodegradable

Symphony Environmental’s oxo-biodegradable additive enables PE, PP, and related plastic packaging to degrade harmlessly into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass without creating microplastics, company says.

UK-based Symphony Environmental Technologies launched an additive that plastics manufacturers can use to make packaging biodegrade harmlessly in natural land and marine environments, the company says.

Symphony’s d2w additive uses oxo-biodegradable plastic technology to enable conventional plastic to break down sufficiently for bacteria and fungi to bio-assimilate it.

The additive is compatible with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), including linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).

Product applications include packaging films, shopping bags, rigid containers, and closures.

In open land and water, plastics containing the additive are eventually converted into carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and biomass in 17 to 22 months, through natural microbial action. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

No heavy metals or toxic materials remain afterward.

Oxygen, UV light (sunlight), and ambient heat are necessary for the chemical transformation to occur. Under these conditions, the plastic degrades via oxidation until its molecular weight is low enough for bacteria and fungi to metabolize it, thus recycling the chemicals back into nature.

The additive was not created as an alternative to plastics recycling, and it won’t enable plastic waste to break down under anaerobic landfill conditions. However, it offers a sustainable solution for plastic packaging that escapes these disposal channels and ends up as litter on land or in the ocean.

Symphony says its oxo-biodegradable approach does not leave microplastics behind at the end of degradation. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Symphony’s oxo-biodegradable approach, unlike oxo-degradable techniques, does not leave microplastics behind at the end of degradation.

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-Lummus and RWDC Industries Sign MoU Accelerating PHA Production at Scale

Combined innovation, experience and strengths of Lummus and RWDC offers real solutions for the circular economy

Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, and RWDC Industries, a biotechnology company developing biopolymer material solutions, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on global PHA deployment initiatives. The signing ceremony took place at Lummus’ headquarters in Houston, Texas, with RWDC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Daniel Carraway and Lummus President and Chief Executive Officer Leon de Bruyn as signatories.

The MOU is an important step toward a joint development that will rapidly grow the manufacturing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) through global licensing opportunities. With Lummus’ expertise in process technology and RWDC’s expertise in PHA production and application, the partnership will significantly accelerate global availability and mass adoption of this natural alternative to synthetically produced petroleum-based plastics.

“We are excited to combine Lummus and RWDC’s collective expertise, experience and resources to commercialize PHAs, a sustainable and economic solution to help address global plastic waste,” said Leon de Bruyn. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

“Together, we can provide eco-friendly biodegradable plastics, while driving innovation and advancing the circular economy of our industry.”

“Our focus is to make environmentally safe and highly functional biobased materials available globally,” said Dr. Carraway. “Our partnership with Lummus is a significant step toward enabling PHA to assist our customers — and, therefore, consumers — in meeting the global challenge of plastics pollution.”

RWDC uses plant-based oils, including post-consumer or waste cooking oils, to produce its proprietary Solon™ PHA, which can be organically recycled or composted in home and industrial composting facilities. Products or packaging made with PHA that find their way into the environment, therefore, will fully biodegrade in soil, fresh water, and marine settings, preventing persistent plastics and microplastics from accumulating in the environment. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Articles produced with PHA also can be recycled, re-used or returned to the carbon cycle by way of organic recycling or composting systems.

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-EU investigates PET anti-dumping allegations against China

The European Commission announced the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) originating from China.

The product subject to this investigation is PET with a viscosity of 78 ml/g or higher.

The investigation of dumping and injury will cover the previous year, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury will cover an expanded time-frame from 1 January 2019 to the end of the investigation period.

According to the official journal of the European Union, all interested parties wishing to comment on the complaint have 37 days from 30 March 2023 in which to do so.

Any requests for a hearing with regard to the initiation of the investigation must be submitted within 15 days of the 30 March 2023. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Those wishing to submit information on the product scope must do so within 10 days of the date of 30 March 2023.

The complaint, made on behalf of the Union industry of PET, was lodged on 14 February 2023.

Market participants have been anticipating news of the investigation, as demand has been pitched against high costs in Europe at the start of 2023.

PET resins can be broadly classified into bottle, fibre or film grade, named according to the downstream applications. Bottle grade resin is the most commonly traded form of PET resin and it is used in bottle and container packaging through blow moulding and thermoforming. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Fibre grade resin goes into making polyester fibre, while film grade resin is used in electrical and flexible packaging applications. PET can be compounded with glass fibre for the production of engineering plastics.

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-Amcor and ExxonMobil expand certified-circular plastics into Australia and New Zealand market

Amcor, a plastics packaging company has placed its first commercial order of certified-circular polymers leveraging ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology for advanced recycling for use in packaging for the Australian and New Zealand market.

The company claims that the order will make Amcor the first flexible packaging company to offer certified-circular plastics in this market, which supports partial displacement of fossil-based feedstock and meets growing consumer demand for plastic circularity.

Using its Exxtend technology, ExxonMobil offers certified-circular polymers with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification that are identical to polymers made from conventional fossil feedstock. The certified-circular polymers can be used in existing applications, that otherwise require the use of virgin resins. Polymer – Recycling technology – PHA

Amcor’s Sustainability Director, Asia Pacific, Richard Smith, said this order is another step toward helping its customers achieve circularity of their flexible packaging in Australia and New Zealand and meet Australia’s National 2025 Packaging Targets:

“We are excited to provide our customers in Australia and New Zealand access to this important resource, and to contribute to developing more sustainable solutions that help our customers and their brands continue to meet consumer needs.”

Kwee-Lin Chan, General Manager, Asia Pacific Advanced Recycling and Sustainability at ExxonMobil, said: “We are proud to work with Amcor to bring a new certified-circular solution to the ANZ market. We look forward to continuing our work with Amcor to develop products that deliver exceptional performance, while also supporting the circular economy.”

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PET recycling – Silicon batteries 19-04-2023