Day: 20 May 2024

Rejlers has signed a 3-year framework agreement with Borealis in Stenungsund, covering a wide range of engineering, procurement, and project management services to support Borealis’ transformation projects

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in polyolefins and base chemicals, has ambitious sustainability goals and a long-standing collaboration with Rejlers. The agreement includes services such as maintenance, studies, basic engineering, and EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management) for Borealis’ facilities in Stenungsund, Sweden.  rPET Flakes

“We have been working with Borealis for several years and are now intensifying our partnership to create value for a sustainable transformation. With our comprehensive offering, we can meet Borealis’ needs, lead development forward, and assist the company in achieving its sustainability goals,” says Irvin Muskic, Head of Chemical Industry and Refineries at Rejlers Sweden.

“As our products play an increasingly important role in society’s transition, it is a priority for us to accelerate our own transition. This includes developing our production capacity for renewable materials and staying at the forefront of the move towards a more sustainable and circular economy.  rPET Flakes

We are also exploring new ways to increase efficiency and sustainability in our operations. Partnerships with organizations like Rejlers are crucial, as they contribute their expertise to promote this development,” says Louise Andersson, Technical Development & Engineering Manager at Borealis in Stenungsund.

Asahi Kasei to Build Battery Component Plant in Ontario

Canada leads globally in the electric vehicle (EV) market. With increasing EV demand, the aim is to assemble more EVs within the country. Over the past four years, investments exceeding $46 billion have poured into Canada from auto, EV battery, and battery component manufacturers, with more expected. These global companies seek a reliable partner with top-tier talent, which Canada provides. rPET Flakes

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Asahi Kasei Corporation’s $1.6 billion investment to construct an EV battery separator plant in Port Colborne, Ontario. With projected medium-to long-term growth in the North American EV market, Asahi Kasei anticipates additional multi-billion-dollar investments through multiple phases. Details on the direct jobs created by this investment will be disclosed later.

Asahi Kasei’s decision underscores the competitive business environment, skilled workforce, and reliable supply chains in Canada and Ontario. The project will benefit from federal support through the Clean Technology Manufacturing investment tax credit, with Ontario offering both direct and indirect incentives. rPET Flakes

Trützschler Nonwovens will showcase its sustainable nonwoven solutions at the ANEX 2024 exhibition from May 22-24

Attendees can explore high-quality products tailored for flushable wipes with the pulp-based CP and WLS lines, along with the needle-punched line T-SUPREMA for technical nonwovens.

“We are excited to be part of ANEX 2024, the leading conference in Southeast Asia,” said Oliver Döring, Director Sales & Marketing of Trützschler Nonwovens. “This event allows us to engage with customers and industry experts from the region to understand their unique needs and deliver optimal solutions.”  rPET Flakes

Visitors are invited to discover Trützschler Nonwovens’ solutions for biodegradable nonwovens from renewable resources at booth J121.

Trützschler Nonwovens is a leading supplier of machinery and expertise for efficient fibre-based nonwoven production. Their product range includes complete production lines and machines for hydroentangled, mechanical, thermally, and chemically bonded nonwovens. The range covers the entire process chain, from fibre preparation, web formation, and bonding to drying and winding.  rPET Flakes

Scientists invent method to transform near-unbreakable plastic into biodegradable polyester

Polyethylene, PE, is a very important and widely used plastic and it is also incredibly difficult to break down in nature. A new project will enable the recycling and upcycling of PE by converting it into biodegradable polyester via a 3-stage process.

Plastic is hard to break down in nature. Polyethylene (PE) is particularly tough because its strong molecular structure is highly resistant to oxygen, sunlight and biodegradation. PE is also the most important and widely used plastic, accounting for approximately 34 per cent of all plastic produced. Today, only 12 per cent of PE is recycled and only one per cent is converted into high-value products.  rPET Flakes

But PE can actually be broken down, transformed and recycled. Though it requires a combination of chemical and biological technologies including highly specific catalysts, recombinant microbial systems and the right enzymes.

An international team of researchers, led by Aarhus University, has now been granted € 4.8 million (DKK 35.5 million) from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, to develop an industrially viable method to convert PE into biodegradable polyester and other high-value products. rPET Flakes

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AkzoNobel’s Como Site Achieves Top Automotive Industry Quality Certification

AkzoNobel’s commitment to maintaining high standards and satisfying customers has earned recognition for its powder coatings site in Como, Italy. The site, which recently underwent a major capacity expansion, has achieved the prestigious International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification. This certification, awarded after an extensive third-party audit, signifies the highest levels of product quality and customer satisfaction.

IATF 16949 is the global technical specification and quality management standard for the automotive industry, focusing on continuous improvement, defect prevention, and waste reduction within the supply chain.  rPET Flakes

“We’re very proud that our Como site has received this certification,” says Jeff Jirak, Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business. “With this achievement, we now have three certified powder sites in Europe, including Arnsberg in Germany and Izmir in Türkiye. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.”

“Our pursuit of improvement never stops,” continues Jirak. “Receiving IATF 16949 accreditation acknowledges our relentless efforts to continuously meet the stringent requirements of the automotive industry.”  rPET Flakes