Biodegradable plastic – Orion S.A., a global leader in specialty chemicals, has announced a significant investment in Alpha Carbone, a French tire recycling company 15-05-2024
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Orion S.A., a global leader in specialty chemicals, has announced a significant investment in Alpha Carbone, a French tire recycling company
This partnership will enhance Alpha Carbone’s capacity to produce commercial quantities of tire pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black. A long-term supply agreement makes Orion the exclusive buyer of the tire pyrolysis oil, which it will use to manufacture sustainable carbon black for tire and rubber product manufacturers.
Each year, France sees approximately 500,000 metric tons of tires discarded. Orion has been collaborating with major tire companies to develop a circular version of carbon black, which is pivotal as tire pyrolysis remains the sole proven method to produce it for use in new tires. Biodegradable plastic
The process at Alpha Carbone involves heating end-of-life tires to high temperatures to decompose them into synthetic gas, recovered carbon black, and tire pyrolysis oil. Orion is unique in using 100% tire pyrolysis oil to create circular carbon black, demonstrating its capability to substitute virgin carbon black in various applications.
Aquafil, the economic results for the 1st quarter of 2024
In the first quarter of 2024, Aquafil, a STAR-listed nylon producer, reported revenues of €147.5 million, a 11.6% decrease from the previous year’s €166.82 million. This decline is largely due to lower sales prices influenced by raw material trends and a varied sales mix. The gross operating margin dropped by 29.3% to €15.24 million, leading to a reduced margin of 10.3%. Net profit for the quarter was €3.1 million, slightly less than the €3.29 million in early 2023. Biodegradable plastic
Net debt stood at €250.3 million at quarter’s end, a slight increase from €248.5 million at the year’s start. Operating activities generated €14.2 million in cash.
Despite these figures, Aquafil’s management reaffirms its commitment to the 2024-2025 goals, indicating stability and adherence to their strategic plans. The company’s focus remains on achieving these objectives, reflecting confidence in their business strategy and future performance. Biodegradable plastic
SKC to build world’s top biodegradable plastic plant in Vietnam
SKC Ltd., a subsidiary of South Korea’s SK Group, has initiated construction of a biodegradable plastic plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam, slated to be the largest single factory for polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) globally. The plant, under SK Leaveo, the biodegradable material unit of SKC, involves an investment of $100 million. It aims to begin producing 70,000 tons of PBAT annually by the third quarter of 2025, marking it as the world’s largest production capacity from a single facility. Biodegradable plastic
Located in Hai Phong’s economic zone, the plant will cover 22,389 square meters. SKC plans future expansions at an additional secured site. PBAT, known for its flexible and durable properties, is primarily used in food packaging films and shopping bags. SK Leaveo intends to enhance PBAT’s strength using nanocellulose, broadening its applications to include textiles and nonwovens.
The facility will exclusively use renewable energy sources as part of Vietnam’s RE 100 clean energy initiative. SK Leaveo will collaborate with An Phat Holdings, a leading Vietnamese plastic manufacturer, which will acquire a stake in SK Leaveo’s Vietnamese affiliate and sign a long-term contract for PBAT purchase and export. Biodegradable plastic
SRF Limited, a prominent player in India’s chemicals industry, anticipates ongoing challenges in the BOPET sector due to demand-supply imbalances and margin pressures for the near to medium future
Efforts to optimize inventory levels in the agrochemicals segment throughout FY24 have shown signs of increasing demand, with sustained interest from customers, especially in the development of Active Ingredients (AIs).
Ashish Bharat Ram, the Chairman and Managing Director, highlighted a noticeable recovery in the chemicals business in the fourth quarter of FY24 and expects further improvements in the latter half of FY25. Biodegradable plastic
According to a report by ManufacturingToday, the chemicals division experienced a 14% reduction in segment revenue and a 33% decrease in operating profit during the fourth quarter of FY24 compared to the same period last year.
These downturns were mainly due to the impact of inventory adjustments and pricing pressures.
These pressures were exacerbated by increased production capacities in China, which particularly affected the specialty chemicals market. Biodegradable plastic
This situation underscores the ongoing competitive and operational challenges faced by SRF Limited in maintaining its market position and profitability in a volatile global market environment.
High Melt Strength PP Foam Reduces Vehicle Emissions, Increases Recyclability
Sabic is exhibiting two transportation applications at NPE that demonstrate the lightweighting, processing, and sustainability features of its PP-UMS foam resin.
Sabic is spotlighting two diverse transportation applications that demonstrate the potential benefits of Sabic PP-UMS (Polypropylene – Ultra Melt Strength) foam resin at NPE2024 (Booth S19005). The material features high melt strength for high levels of foamability and enables the extrusion of PP foams with very low density, good impact resistance, and compliance with VDA 278 emission regulations. Biodegradable plastic
Sabic PP-UMS foam resin’s processing versatility allows PP foams, subject to user testing, to be used in structural cores for sandwich panels in delivery vans, trucks, and recreational vehicles (RVs), and to provide structural and insulative properties in blow-molded air ducts. Examples of these applications, on display at the Sabic booth, illustrate the suitability of this foam resin for broad use in transportation components that can benefit from significant weight reduction and potential cost optimization. Biodegradable plastic
European MEG Prices Stand in Contrast to US and Asian Markets in First Week of May
During the first week of May 2024, Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) prices exhibited varying trajectories across different regions, declining in the US and Asian Pacific markets while increasing in Europe.
The price trend for MEG prices in each region is influenced by both upstream and downstream factors.
In the first week, the European MEG market witnessed a bullish trend, like in Germany, domestic MEG prices surged by approximately 4% compared to the previous week, driven by increased feedstock costs.
Ethylene oxide, a key component of MEG production, saw a modest increase of around 0.7% during the same period. Biodegradable plastic
Despite moderate demand from downstream sectors such as PET resin and Polyester Staple Fiber, the overall market remained buoyant.
However, oil prices experienced a sharp decline globally, attributed to geopolitical easing in the Middle East and overall weakness in fuel markets.
European Brent crude traded near USD 84 a barrel, marking a weekly loss of over 6%, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude hovered just above USD 79/barrel.
PET Technologies at ProPack Asia: 25 years of blow moulding
Key Highlights:
- PET Technologies celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and will be exhibiting its blow moulding equipment at ProPack Asia, June 12-15 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- The company will showcase its 4th generation of machines, APF-Max series, with productivity of up to 14,000 bottles per hour.
- The company’s high-quality blow moulds, crafted from durable duralumin alloys with a hardness level of up to 100HB, along with customisable bottle designs will be on display to visitors. Biodegradable plastic
PET Technologies, a manufacturer of blow moulding equipment for PET bottle production, will be exhibiting at ProPack Asia, taking place June 12-15 in Bangkok, Thailand. This appearance marks another stop on its “PetTour2024,” a series of international exhibitions throughout the year, including Europe, Asia, North and South America.
History
This year, PET Technologies celebrates its 25th anniversary. Having been in the market since 1999, the company has developed alongside it, always incorporating the latest industry trends and innovations. Biodegradable plastic
Altilium announces technological advancements in recycling of LFP and NMC batteries
Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group focused on supporting the transition to net zero, has today announced details of the latest advances in its innovative EcoCathode™ hydrometallurgical recycling technology, with breakthroughs in the recovery of lithium from new battery chemistries and the production of cathode active materials (CAM) from a mixed feed of lithium scrap. Biodegradable plastic
Altilium is the only company in the UK recycling and upcycling old EV batteries to high nickel P-CAM and CAM for direct reuse in new EV batteries. With the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, the company is developing a domestic, sustainable source of battery raw materials for the UK, reducing reliance on imported materials from China and helping to decarbonise the UK transport sector.
Leveraging its proprietary EcoCathode™ process, Altilium has successfully processed LFP batteries, recovering over 97% of the lithium, marking a significant step towards for sustainable battery production and recycling.
Recovering lithium at high efficiency is a significant breakthrough, as it improves the economics of recycling LFP batteries, which are expected to make up over 40% of the global market by 2030. Biodegradable plastic
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