Bottles sorting recycling – The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has recently been approved, marking a significant step in addressing packaging waste 20-03-2024

Bottles sorting recycling

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Arkema commemorates three decades of specialized polymer recycling while broadening its certified product range

Agiplast, a pioneer in high-performance thermoplastic recycling since 1994, became part of the Arkema group in 2021. Through Agiplast, Arkema’s Virtucycle® program now offers over 15 certified grades.

Operating from Arkema’s advanced recycling center in Italy, specialty polyamides and PVDF undergo mechanical recycling using renewable electricity. Arkema’s proficiency in polymer analysis and regeneration enables collaboration with clients to enhance eco-design and minimize carbon footprints. Bottles sorting recycling

Partnering with various market players, Arkema develops high-performance polymer grades comprising at least 30% recycled content, certified by SCS Global Services.

Nicole Munoz, VP of Environmental Certification Services at SCS Global Services, advocates for recycled content integration to reduce environmental impact and raw material extraction, praising Arkema’s growing portfolio.

Francois Tanguy, Arkema’s Recycling business and Virtucycle® program manager, celebrates their 30-year legacy, emphasizing collaboration with global clients to foster sustainability. Clients seek advanced materials with reduced climate impacts and uncompromised performance, a demand Arkema is poised to meet.

Arkema collaborates worldwide to tailor high-performance grades to client needs, fostering true circularity. Some clients contribute to the recycling loop, while others prefer sourcing polymers with recycled content. Bottles sorting recycling

Bottles sorting recycling

Trinseo plans to permanently shut down the German polycarbonate plant in Stade

The imminent closure of the polycarbonate plant in Stade is near, as Trinseo has reached an agreement with unions to permanently halt operations by the end of this year. This decision comes after at least five years of evaluations on the closure of the plant in Germany, with various announcements and second thoughts over time.
Now, with the decision apparently made, Trinseo is preparing to close the polycarbonate production plant and source the polymer needed for the compounds from the external market. This move is estimated to bring financial benefits of between $15 million and $20 million  .Bottles sorting recycling
The group’s CEO, Frank Bozich, explains that the decision was influenced by the weakness of demand and the decrease in prices due to the excess supply from foreign producers saturating the EMEA market. These conditions, Bozich predicts, will continue to impact the industry into 2024 and beyond, as fixed costs at Stade challenge the facility’s financial sustainability.
Operational since 1990, the Stade plant specializes in the production of polycarbonate granules and related compounds, marketed under the Caliber brand.Bottles sorting recycling
Bottles sorting recycling

On this Global Recycling Day, the Dutch Waste Management Association (DWMA) is issuing a dire warning about the crisis gripping plastic sorting and recycling facilities in the Netherlands and Europe

These facilities are encountering significant challenges, with dwindling demand for recycled plastic from the processing industry leading to stagnant turnover, mounting plastic waste stocks, and the reduction of production by recycling companies, putting jobs at risk. The primary culprit behind this crisis is the influx of cheap virgin plastic imports from Asia and America, exacerbating the situation.

In response, the DWMA has urgently reached out to the caretaker environment minister, Vivianne Heijnen, proposing three critical measures. Firstly, they advocate for supporting the market price of recycled plastic until the implementation of the EU’s recycled content obligation for plastic. Secondly, they call for aligning government circular procurement objectives with plastic recycling targets to bolster demand for recycled plastic. Lastly, they propose the introduction of a carbon credit system to incentivize the use of recycled plastic and recognize its contribution to climate goals.Bottles sorting recycling

Additionally, the DWMA emphasizes the need for European manufacturers to prioritize sourcing recycled plastic from within Europe, aligning with circularity principles, environmental protection, and job retention. They stress the importance of establishing a level playing field in Europe to enable fair competition among waste collectors and manufacturers. With these measures, the DWMA aims to navigate through the crisis, sustain the recycling industry, and advance towards a circular economy.

Plastic sorting recycling

Beyond Plastic has unveiled a groundbreaking biodegradable plastic bottle cap crafted from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biopolymer synthesized through bacteria fermentation

This innovation mirrors the appearance, texture, and functionality of conventional petroleum-based plastic caps while boasting recyclability, compostability, and biodegradability, even under delicate environmental conditions.

Fred Pinczuk, CTO of Beyond Plastic, emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, particularly with plastic bottle caps ranking as the second most prevalent pollutant on shores.  Bottles sorting recycling

He underscored the mission of Beyond Plastic to revolutionize packaging by replacing single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives like PHA, which offers equivalent performance without harming the planet.

To realize this vision, Beyond Plastic has forged strategic alliances with CJ Biomaterials and Techlong International. Max Senechal, Chief Commercial Officer at CJ Biomaterials, highlighted their commitment to eco-friendly solutions, while Keith Boss, CEO at Techlong International, stressed the necessity of comprehensive solutions to integrate PHA effectively into existing systems.

Despite the promising potential of PHA, its widespread adoption requires rigorous testing and adaptation of equipment. Boss emphasized the need for a complete solution encompassing both PHA resin and modified machinery to ensure seamless integration into manufacturing processes.

By partnering with industry leaders and prioritizing innovation, Beyond Plastic aims to catalyze the shift towards sustainable packaging solutions, mitigating the environmental impact of plastic waste. Bottles sorting recycling

Beyond Plastic has unveiled a groundbreaking biodegradable plastic bottle cap crafted from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biopolymer synthesized through bacteria fermentation

Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, is embarking on a groundbreaking study in Australia

Their mission? To explore and extract natural hydrogen and helium. This ambitious endeavor is part of an engineering services agreement between Black & Veatch and the Australian-owned natural hydrogen company, H2EX Limited. The project receives funding from the Australian Federal Government, with H2EX leading the charge.

Natural hydrogen, also known as gold or white hydrogen, occurs in its pure form as a free gas. Bottles sorting recycling

It’s a potential game-changer for clean energy in the Asia Pacific region. Black & Veatch boasts an impressive 80-year legacy in hydrogen and ammonia production across various industries. Notably, they pioneered the first hydrogen power generation conversion project and established the United States’ inaugural major hydrogen fueling station.

As part of the development study, Black & Veatch will present two concept designs for H2EX’s exploration license PEL 691 on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. One design focuses on drilling and completing an exploration well, while the other tackles surface facilities for purifying, processing, and delivering natural hydrogen and helium. If these resources are found together, co-production strategies will be explored.

The study aims to unlock Australia’s first-mover advantage in this emerging sector, offering local and export opportunities while retaining technical expertise. Bottles sorting recycling

By adapting gas industry practices, Black & Veatch seeks to make natural hydrogen extraction up to 75% more cost-effective than traditional manufacturing methods. The project, partly funded by Australia’s Federal Department of Science and Innovation, is expected to conclude by mid-20241

Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, is embarking on a groundbreaking study in Australia

Portuguese conglomerate Bondalti has made a bid to acquire Ercros, a Catalan chemical company

Through its Spanish arm, Bondalti seeks to purchase the entire capital of Ercros, which operates in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly in chlorine, derivatives, and PVC.

Should the acquisition succeed, Bondalti plans to delist Ercros while maintaining its headquarters in Barcelona and safeguarding existing jobs.

The offer stands at 3.60 euros per share, presenting a 40.6% premium over the previous day’s closing price, totaling nearly 330 million euros.  Bottles sorting recycling

However, acceptance hinges on acquiring over 75% of Ercros’s shares and securing governmental and antitrust approvals.

Bondalti envisions the merger as a means to create an industrial powerhouse capable of navigating the complexities of today’s market.

They emphasize a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and addressing the challenges facing the European chemical industry, particularly in meeting the demand for eco-friendly products and contributing to the energy transition.  Bottles sorting recycling

Portuguese conglomerate Bondalti has made a bid to acquire Ercros, a Catalan chemical company

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has recently been approved, marking a significant step in addressing packaging waste

Despite efforts by the European Commission’s trade directorate to stall the legislation, the final PPWR text has received the green light1. However, there were concerns surrounding the clause related to imported recycled plastic.

As of yesterday, European Commission officials were ‘confident’ they had persuaded enough governments to oppose the law. The disagreement over the import of recycled plastic remained a contentious issue. The European Commission had withheld its support for the final PPWR text since the Council and Parliament agreed on it last week.

The PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainable practices. While the approval is a positive development, the debate over imported recycled plastic highlights the need for further dialogue and collaboration to find common ground. As we move forward, it is crucial to balance environmental goals with practical considerations and ensure effective implementation of the regulation. Bottles sorting recycling

In conclusion, the PPWR represents progress in the fight against packaging waste, but challenges remain. Let us continue working together to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has recently been approved, marking a significant step in addressing packaging waste