Day: 19 February 2024

Canada emphasizes that China has a significant responsibility in ensuring the safety of the Red Sea

Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, emphasized the imperative role of China in safeguarding the Red Sea for maritime trade amidst Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, exemplified by the recent missile strike on the oil tanker M/T Pollux. Joly stressed that given the presence of Chinese ships in the area, Beijing should actively contribute to ensuring the Red Sea’s security and cease aiding Russia in bypassing global sanctions. PET Chemical Recycling

During discussions with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Joly underscored the necessity for China to exert its influence on the Houthis to maintain open navigation routes in the Red Sea, aligning with China’s interests as a major exporter. The attacks, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have disrupted vital trade passages between Asia and Europe, impacting China-bound shipments.

Moreover, Joly pressed for solidarity in upholding Western sanctions against Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, cautioning against China becoming a loophole in the sanction framework. Highlighting Russia’s emergence as China’s primary crude oil supplier despite sanctions, she underscored the utilization of intermediary traders by Chinese refiners to mitigate sanctions breaches. PET Chemical Recycling

Following the meeting, Minister Yi acknowledged the necessity to mend Canada-China relations strained by diplomatic tensions stemming from the detention of a Chinese telecommunications executive by Canadian authorities in late 2018, followed by reciprocal arrests by Beijing. The relationship endured further strain amid allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections, countered by Chinese denial.

Artificial photosynthesis harnesses carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce eco-friendly biodegradable plastic

A groundbreaking artificial photosynthesis technique has been devised, heralding a significant stride in the creation of biodegradable plastics. Developed by researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan, this innovation aims to address the pressing environmental challenges posed by both greenhouse gas-induced climate change and plastic pollution.  PET Chemical Recycling

Harnessing a visible light-driven redox system, coupled with biomass-derived compounds and gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2), the method yields chemicals pivotal in the production of fumaric acid. Fumaric acid stands as a crucial component in biodegradable plastics like polybutylene succinate, commonly utilized in food packaging.

Building upon previous research led by Professor Yutaka Amao at the Research Centre for Artificial Photosynthesis, which demonstrated fumaric acid synthesis from bicarbonate and pyruvic acid using solar energy, this latest endeavor achieves a pivotal breakthrough. Despite prior challenges with low yield, the team’s refined approach, employing a new photosensitizer to convert light into usable energy, now doubles the production of fumaric acid compared to conventional methods.  PET Chemical Recycling

Professor Amao underscores the significance of this advancement, highlighting its contribution to the intricate bio/photocatalyst system. He emphasizes the pivotal role this plays in advancing towards a sustainable future, synthesizing fumaric acid from renewable energy sources with unprecedented efficiency.

Itelyum, a Lodi-based company specializing in industrial waste management and valorization, has announced a substantial investment in Plasta Rei, focusing on the chemical recycling of PET

The collaborative venture entails the establishment of a depolymerization facility within a defunct factory in Latina province.

Pending regulatory approvals, the initiative aims to reclaim PET food packaging, employing advanced chemical recycling techniques to produce high-quality granules equivalent to virgin material. Plasta Rei’s innovative process boasts an impressive PET recovery rate exceeding 95%, significantly mitigating CO2 emissions compared to conventional non-recycled counterparts.

Backed by Stirling Square Capital Partners and Deutsche Beteiligungs, Itelyum views this foray into plastic recycling as a strategic imperative, leveraging its technological prowess and corporate stability to pursue sustainable development goals. CEO and General Director Marco Codognola underscores the venture’s significance, citing growth opportunities in Italy and beyond.  PET Chemical Recycling

According to Francesco Borgomeo, President and Shareholder of Plasta Rei, Itelyum’s investment underscores the project’s merit and underscores a commitment to transformative innovation in plastics. Established three years ago, Plasta Rei endeavors to revolutionize the sector by repurposing defunct facilities and implementing unconventional production methodologies, as envisioned by its founder Francesco Borgomeo.

Jonathan Lee, a structural materials engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, pioneered a groundbreaking technology for crafting brake discs, aimed at optimizing efficiency and performance

Amidst the pandemic hiatus, Lee’s innovative insight focused on reducing wheel mass to decrease energy consumption during braking and acceleration. Contrary to conventional ventilated brake discs, Lee’s solution proposes direct cooling of hot surfaces, eliminating one disc per wheel to reduce weight.  PET Chemical Recycling

The prototype features a single disc adorned with small fins and extended grooves, drawing in cooler external air to dissipate heat efficiently. This design results in a 30% increase in available surface area and a remarkable 40% reduction in assembly weight. Additionally, the redesigned brake pads exhibit enhanced friction and efficacy in dislodging debris, thus bolstering reliability.

Beyond performance enhancements, the technology addresses environmental concerns, particularly the emission of toxic nanoparticles. Marcus Hays, co-CEO of Orbis Brakes, emphasizes the health hazards posed by elevated temperatures in brake pads and resultant particulate emissions. Orbis actively refines its EcoWave design to align with impending Euro 7 standards, aiming to mitigate emissions.  PET Chemical Recycling

In the automotive sector, Orbis offers the NextWave as an aftermarket upgrade for high-performance vehicles, presenting a compelling alternative to factory-installed brakes. As feedback accumulates, Orbis plans to expand its product lines, tailoring solutions for electric vehicles.

In essence, NASA’s breakthrough research aligns with evolving industry standards, providing a promising solution to mitigate brake-related emissions and enhance vehicle performance, spearheaded by Jonathan Lee’s innovative approach.

Aduro Clean Technologies Shares Sample Test Results from its Continuous Flow Unit Experimentation and Optimization Program

Aduro Clean Technologies Inc. , a Canadian technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21^st century, is delighted to provide an update on the significant progress made in confirming and presenting the unique advantages of the Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT).  PET Chemical Recycling

Since commencing the commissioning of its Continuous Flow Plastic Reactor in 2023, Aduro has conducted over 240 test runs on a variety of feedstock compositions, with the longest test stretching to 36 hours. The unit was committed to run experiments both for our Customer Engagement Program (CEP) and to achieve research goals, working with a broad variety of feedstocks and advancing the design of the Next Generation Process. Aduro considers its CEP approach crucial to assuring maximum alignment with market needs and changes therein, and to connect to specialised competences and expertise, and as such the CEP has significantly contributed to the advancement and refinement of Aduro’s Next Generation Process.vv

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