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rPET granules – In 2022, there was a reduction of 19 kilograms per person in municipal waste 05-02-2024

rPET granules

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Catalysis R&D Agreement Between Maire and Polimi

Maire’s subsidiary NextChem and the Energy Department of Polytechnic University of Milan (Polimi) have inked a five-year pact focusing on crafting groundbreaking catalysts for eco-friendly chemistry and the shift towards sustainable energy. Spearheaded by Professor Isabella Nova, the collaboration delves into innovative catalyst research, process modeling, and reactor geometry.

NextChem, a part of the Italian Maire conglomerate, aims to fortify its role in the energy transition and sustainable chemistry domain through this alliance. rPET granules

Catalysts, pivotal in expediting chemical reactions by lowering activation energy barriers, hold paramount importance in this endeavor, constituting 90% of chemical processes.

This initiative not only underscores NextChem’s commitment but also seeks to harness the brightest minds via synergies between academia and industry. It builds upon existing collaborations, such as the Chemical Projects Engineering and Management chair established in 2017.

For Maire’s CEO Alessandro Bernini, this agreement signifies a renewed and reinforced bond between the conglomerate and Polimi.

He emphasizes the historical connection, tracing back to Giulio Natta’s Nobel-winning studies on polypropylene, as emblematic of fruitful industry-academia collaboration fostering innovative solutions for the future.  rPET granules

rPET granules

Itelyum and Plasta Rei revolutionize recycling, turning food packaging into rPET granules

Itelyum and Plasta Rei have pioneered a revolutionary approach to recycling, converting food packaging waste into top-tier rPET granules, thus advancing environmental sustainability significantly. Collaborating, Itelyum, a division of Stirling Square Private Capital, and Plasta Rei, an expert in recycling technology, aim to redefine the standard for recycling food packaging waste, producing 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) granules. This partnership not only signifies a remarkable technological leap but also a crucial step toward sustainability.  rPET granules

Revolutionizing Recycling Plasta Rei’s chemical recycling process retrieves over 95% of PET waste, generating high-quality rPET granules that maintain their integrity through multiple recycling cycles, in contrast to traditional mechanical methods. The resulting rPET matches virgin PET in quality, revolutionizing recycling and offering sustainable packaging options.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability By converting food packaging waste into virgin-like rPET granules, the collaboration reduces reliance on virgin plastics, curbing plastic pollution and preserving petroleum resources. Studies underline the environmental sustainability of PET depolymerization, emphasizing its potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin fiber production. rPET granules

Advancing Towards a Circular Economy This innovation not only marks a technological breakthrough but also propels the plastics industry towards a circular economy. Enabling endless recycling of PET without quality loss, Itelyum and Plasta Rei set new benchmarks for sustainability and resource efficiency, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation in fostering a more sustainable future.

Amid global concerns about plastic waste and environmental harm, Itelyum and Plasta Rei offer hope by transforming food packaging waste into high-quality, endlessly recyclable rPET granules. Their success demonstrates the promise of chemical recycling and sustainable practices, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards a circular plastics economy, where plastic waste becomes a valuable resource rather than a pollutant. rPET granules

rPET granules

Freudenberg, a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials, introduces a new line of 100% synthetic wetlaid nonwovens made in Germany

These materials, incorporating various polymer-based fibers including ultra-fine micro-fibers, are tailored for filtration and industrial applications. They complement Freudenberg’s existing wetlaid capabilities.

The fully synthetic wetlaid nonwovens are ideal for liquid and air filtration, including support for reverse osmosis membranes, nanofibers, PTFE membranes, and oil filtration. They find use in construction, composites, and other industries. rPET granules

Marketeted under the Filtura® brand, these materials offer versatility and flexibility. They can be composed of polyester, polyolefin, polyamide, and polyvinyl alcohol fibers, with weights ranging from 8g/m² to 250g/m² and fiber lengths up to 12mm. Freudenberg’s manufacturing line combines various bonding technologies, ensuring precise weight, thickness, pore size, and porosity.

Freudenberg’s wetlaid capabilities extend beyond synthetics, incorporating glass fibers, viscose, and cellulose.

Applications range from surfacing veils in glass-fiber reinforced plastics to battery separators, acoustics, and apparel substrates. rPET granules

Freudenberg’s innovative wetlaid nonwovens cater to diverse filtration and industrial needs, offering reliability and performance across a wide spectrum of applications.

rPET granules

Amut: The World’s One-of-a-Kind Recycling Trio

AMUT, a pioneer in recycling technology, has achieved a remarkable feat in Australia with its involvement in three groundbreaking projects: Duet, Choir, and Symphony under the Circular Plastics Australia initiative. This trio of projects marks a unique achievement globally, showcasing AMUT’s expertise in advanced recycling technologies.

The collaboration between AMUT and Circular Plastics Australia, comprising Pact Group, Cleanaway Waste Management, Asahi Beverages, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), resulted in the establishment of state-of-the-art recycling plants in Albury and Melbourne. These plants aim to recycle approximately 60,000 tonnes of post-consumer plastic packaging annually, converting them into high-quality resins suitable for various applications, including food packaging.  rPET granules

Duet and Symphony focus on sorting and washing PET bottles, while Choir targets HDPE and PP materials. The success of these projects is evident, with Duet exceeding its initial output expectations within a year of operation.

Symphony, inaugurated in the presence of government officials, including Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos, is the largest plastic recycling facility in Victoria. With cutting-edge equipment, Symphony can process up to 20,000 tonnes of recycled PET resin annually, contributing significantly to the circular economy by converting PET bottles into high-value food-grade pellets.

AMUT’s washing lines ensure the purity of recycled flakes while minimizing operational costs and environmental impact, aligning with the global push towards circularity and climate change mitigation.  rPET granules

This success further solidifies AMUT’s position as a leader in recycling technology, garnering recognition and trust from customers worldwide.

Amut: The World's One-of-a-Kind Recycling Trio

Avient Corporation, a leading provider of specialized sustainable materials solutions, is thrilled to announce an expansion of its Gravi-Tech REC Recycled Formulations lineup

This new grade incorporates up to 60% ocean-bound plastic waste, alongside recycled fillers, resulting in a remarkable 98% recycled content. Specifically engineered for luxury packaging caps and closures, this innovative material offers enhanced design flexibility and more efficient processing compared to traditional metal options.

Introduced in early 2023, Avient’s Gravi-Tech REC recycled formulations provide density-modified engineered polymer materials with recycled content, offering a sustainable alternative to prime or virgin polymers.  rPET granules

This new grade, Gravi-Tech REC GT5200-5089 C I natural, utilizes up to 60% Social Plastic polymer resin material sourced from Plastic Bank, significantly reducing the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) by over 70% compared to virgin material.

Matt Mitchell, Director of Global Marketing at Avient, emphasized the dual impact of this advancement: not only does it drive material innovation, but it also contributes to social good by addressing plastic waste while supporting vulnerable communities through Plastic Bank’s initiatives.

Gravi-Tech REC formulations boast diverse visual effects suitable for luxury packaging applications like cosmetic and perfume caps, spirit bottle caps, and luxury boxes. Manufactured in Europe, the new Gravi-Tech REC GT5200-5089 C grade is commercially available, with additional food contact-compliant options within the broader Gravi-Tech REC portfolio.  rPET granules

Avient’s commitment to environmental sustainability and positive social impact is evident through its integration of recycled materials and ongoing pursuit of sustainable alternatives, showcasing a dedication to advancing both industry standards and global responsibility.

 Avient Corporation, a leading provider of specialized sustainable materials solutions, is thrilled to announce an expansion of its Gravi-Tech REC Recycled Formulations lineup

Rice University researchers and collaborators have devised an innovative method to address the challenge of managing glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) waste

GFRP, widely used in applications like windmill blades and aircraft parts, poses disposal difficulties due to its durability. Traditional disposal methods, such as incineration or solvolysis, are inefficient and environmentally harmful.

To tackle this issue, the team developed an energy-efficient upcycling process. By grinding GFRP into a mixture of plastic and carbon and subjecting it to high voltage, they transformed it into silicon carbide, a valuable semiconductor material. This process, known as flash Joule heating, involves heating the mixture to temperatures between 1,600-2,900 degrees Celsius.  rPET granules

The upcycling method not only converts GFRP waste into useful silicon carbide but also offers economic and environmental advantages over conventional disposal techniques. It eliminates the need for resource-intensive methods like incineration and minimizes toxic gas emissions.

The resulting silicon carbide can be utilized in various applications, including battery anodes, due to its superior performance characteristics. The proof-of-concept tests conducted by the research team have shown promising results, paving the way for wider adoption of this upcycling approach.  rPET granules

By transforming GFRP waste into a valuable resource, this method supports the principles of a circular economy. It demonstrates the potential to repurpose waste from diverse applications into new, beneficial products, contributing to sustainability efforts and resource conservation.

Rice University researchers and collaborators have devised an innovative method to address the challenge of managing glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) waste

In 2022, there was a reduction of 19 kilograms per person in municipal waste

In 2022, the European Union saw a reduction in municipal waste production, with each person generating an average of 513 kg, marking a decrease of 19 kg or 4% compared to the previous year’s figure of 532 kg. However, this remained 46 kg higher than the levels recorded in 1995, which stood at 467 kg per person.

There were significant disparities in municipal waste generation across EU member states. Citizens of Austria (827 kg per person), Denmark (787 kg), and Luxembourg (720 kg) produced the highest amounts, while Romania (301 kg), Poland (364 kg), and Estonia (373 kg) had the lowest figures.  rPET granules

These variations reflect diverse consumption patterns, economic conditions, and waste management practices across countries. Differences exist in how nations handle waste from households, commerce, trade, and administration.

Regarding recycling, the EU’s average stood at 249 kg per person in 2022, down from 264 kg per person in 2021. Austria (516 kg), Denmark (411 kg), and Germany (409 kg) were the top performers in terms of recycled waste per person, while Romania (36 kg), Malta (75 kg), and Greece (90 kg) recorded the lowest amounts.

Data Source: Eurostat

In 2022, there was a reduction of 19 kilograms per person in municipal waste

PET waste circularity – The surge in US graphite prices stems from increased demand in the battery industry, both domestically and internationally 04-03-2024

rPET granules

Circular Textiles – One million tonnes of plastic additives pollute the world’s oceans each year 10-11-2023

Circular Textiles

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Automation – Sorting the Circular Textiles Gap

Advanced technologies for the classification and pre-processing of waste garments are now an urgent requirement, as the textile industry looks to close the loop. All the indications are that by 2030, recycling will have become a much bigger part of the global picture, and automation has a major role to play, especially in sorting and pre-processing.

Automated processes are already highly developed all along the global textile and garment manufacturing chain. Circular Textiles

The supply chain is, however, still strictly linear, while being highly complex – spanning from fibres to finished garments and still involving tremendous waste and many unnecessary transportation steps globally on the route from the first chemical processing plants or cotton fields to the shelves of High Street stores.

In addition to continuing to address these issues, the supply chain will now very quickly have to become more circular, as legislation closes in and changes things dramatically.

New Restrictions

There is an immediate need for advanced new technologies that can close the loop for the collection, sorting and pre-processing of waste garments, in order for recycling to be further developed, especially in the European Union (EU), which will be first in imposing new restrictions. Circular Textiles

As previously reported by Fibre2Fashion, over seven million tons of waste textiles is being mandated to be separately collected each year within the EU from 2025. It will be paid for by the brands who put product into the market via the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, and this waste is no longer eligible to be landfilled, incinerated or moved on to other countries. As such, it will create a 32 million-ton mountain of new waste by 2030 without immediate action.

Worn Again Technologies

The huge challenge this poses was emphasised by a number of speakers at the 62nd Dornbirn Global Manmade Fibers (GFC) conference held in Austria from September 13-15, including Toby Moss, director of business development for Worn Again Technologies. Circular Textiles

Worn Again Technologies has raised funding of some €42.9 million to support the construction of its new textile chemical recycling demonstration plant in Winterthur, Switzerland, and counts Sulzer, Oerlikon and fashion retailer H&M among its key strategic investors.

The demonstration plant will be opened in 2025 and will recycle fibres from hard-to-recycle fabric blends using a solvent-based process, with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons. (Just for context, annual global fibre consumption is currently 120 million tons.)

Licensing model

Worn Again, however, is a technology licensing company and does not plan to build its own facilities, but is working with technology partners who will quickly build much larger-scale commercial plants. Circular Textiles

The first of these is expected to come onstream in Europe and have annual capacities of approximately 50,000 tons per annum by as early as 2027-28, when feedstock streams from waste textiles have sufficiently built up.

“At the moment, most current recyclers are focused on post-industrial waste, but demand will soon outstrip supply, which will lead to a rush into post-consumer textile waste,” Moss said. “At the same time, recycling capacity is not yet growing as fast as demand, while bottle companies are getting a lot better at bottle collection so a lot of rPET from bottles currently used in textile production will not be available. As a result, recycled content in textiles is likely to go down rather than up for a period and this indicates some healthy price premiums for the first companies producing recycled PET polyester fibres with the same performance as virgin fibres.”  Circular Textiles

As with many other current recycling technologies being developed and planning industrial upscaling in the near future, success is in part hinged on the collection and sorting of waste clothing becoming much more sophisticated – and quickly.

More…

Circular Textiles

UK-based Colorifix aims to bring environmentally friendly fabric-dyeing solution to China and Southeast Asia in 2025

  • Biotech start-up will focus on markets in India and Sri Lanka next year, before making its move to China and Southeast Asia
  • Production life-cycle using its solution can help reduce carbon emission by 31 per cent, water consumption by 77 per cent and chemical usage by 80 per cent

Colorifix, a finalist for Prince William’s Earthshot prize, aims to bring its environmentally friendly fabric-dyeing solution to markets in China and Southeast Asia in 2025 to help tackle pollution in the garment manufacturing industry.  Circular Textiles

The biotech start-up uses DNA sequences from nature and microorganisms to create pigments that can be fixed onto fabrics in a way that significantly reduces water and chemical usage, as well as the carbon footprint in the dyeing process.

The UK firm will make its foray into the Asian markets from the first half of next year, starting with India, the world’s fifth-largest producer of textiles, and Sri Lanka, according to its chief operating officer Christopher Hunter. The firm is still in “very early stages” of establishing its presence in China, he added.

“China is a very important market for textiles,” Hunter said in a video interview on Tuesday. Circular Textiles

“We are aware that there are increasing environmental targets for the industry in China, which might in some way accelerate our entry. It won’t be before 2025.”

China announced in April last year that it aimed to recycle 25 per cent of its textile waste and churn out 2 million tonnes of recycled fibre by 2025, part of its big push to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. That included promoting green and low-carbon production in the textile industry.

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Circular Textiles

The battery is the key factor for electric cars’ convenience and affordability. The battery is also the main source of anxiety and doubt for many drivers

It is obvious that the high price of electric cars is related to the battery.

Let’s see why. Electric cars: the battery determines the economic difference Electric cars are gradually winning over drivers, especially in Italy, that the energy transition is possible on a large scale.  Circular Textiles

However, the electric transition imposed by the European Union in a short time is not very encouraging for the switch from thermal engines to electric ones.

What makes electric cars less attractive is the high cost of eco-friendly vehicles, which are on average between 10,000 and 15,000 euros more expensive than a combustion car in the same segment and, as expected, not everyone can afford them.

How can the costs be lowered and what are they mainly due to? The answer is simple: to the batteries.  Circular Textiles

Andy Palmer, former operations director of Nissan and responsible for the first Leaf, confirmed this and also predicted a drop in prices in the next few years.

Cheap electric cars: we need smaller batteries and a change of mentality Andy Palmer, former operations director of Nissan, provided the solution to lower the costs of electric cars.

He said: “The solution for an affordable electric vehicle is not to wait for the technology to mature, it’s not necessarily playing with the chemistry: it’s simply using a smaller battery. But to have a smaller battery you need charging infrastructure, that’s the key.

A decent charging network including home chargers probably has around 15 million charging points and we are a long way from that at the moment.

Unless an effective infrastructure is achieved quickly, people will not naturally transition to electric vehicles.  Circular Textiles

People will continue to mention range anxiety and you won’t change that mindset. With a ubiquitous network, people won’t worry so much about battery life, they’ll know they can always plug into a charger and that’s when a smaller battery can be accepted.

That’s when you get the transformation.” However, not only a technical change is needed, but also a mental one by the consumers, as David Greenwood, expert in advanced propulsion systems at the Warwick Manufacturing Group, explained: “The key is not to buy an EV with more battery capacity than you need, if you spend a fortune on a car capable of 500 miles and then only drive 10 miles a day, you’re paying for the battery and all the systems, but not you will save on fuel to cover them.  Circular Textiles

A manufacturer could make three different module models and assemble them into eight different models to achieve economies of scale at the module level.

Something that would allow us to obtain economies of scale and introduce much larger cells.

While in the early days batteries like Tesla’s contained thousands of small cells, the future will see batteries containing hundreds of much larger cells.”

Circular Textiles

Korean petrochemical firms ramp up carbon fiber production

The South Korean petrochemical industry is ramping up the production of carbon fiber, a part of its focus on high value-added businesses to develop mid- to long-term growth engines amid a prolonged slump in the market.  Circular Textiles
According to multiple industry sources on Tuesday, Hyosung Advanced Materials Corp. plans to expand its carbon fiber production capacity, which currently stands at 9,000 tons per year, to 16,500 in 2024, 21,500 tons in 2025, and 24,000 tons by 2028.

The company has also decided to establish a new carbon fiber production entity, Hyosung Vina Core Materials Co., in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam.
Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc. also recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its carbon fiber unit 3 in Gumi City, North Gyeongsang Province.

The company plans to expand its annual carbon fiber production capacity to 8,000 tons by 2025 from 4,700 tons.  Circular Textiles
Carbon fiber is called “super fiber” as it weighs one-fourth of iron but is over 10 times stronger.

Demand is growing in many areas, including compressed natural gas (CNG), compressed hydrogen storage, automotive parts, and wind blades.

The market for carbon fiber, also dubbed the “rice of the future,” is expected to grow at nearly 10 percent on average annually.
Global demand for polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber is expected to increase to 327,000 tons in 2035 from 112,000 tons in 2023, according to Japanese market research firm Fuji Keizai Co.  Circular Textiles
The recent decisions by petrochemical companies to enter the carbon fiber business come as they seek growth engines with high value-added products amid a sluggish market. Hyosung Advanced Materials, whose flagship product is tire reinforcement materials, posted sales of 783.3 billion won ($597.03 million) in the third quarter, down 20 percent from a year ago, and an operating profit of 35.7 billion won, down 46 percent.

Sales of tire reinforcements and seat belts and airbags fell 29 percent and 15 percent respectively from a year earlier to 426.5 billion won and 141.3 billion won each. The decline is likely due to the slowdown in the automotive industry.
Meanwhile, the carbon and aramid fiber segments saw solid demand and posted an 11 percent increase in sales that hit 90.7 billion won during the period.
The securities industry forecasts that Hyosung Advanced Materials’ operating profit from the carbon fiber segment will outperform that of the tire reinforcement business from the second half of 2024.  Circular Textiles
Increased solar power generation is also driving demand for carbon fiber. Recently, carbon fiber has been in demand for insulation materials used to produce polysilicon and ingots, which are key value chains in the solar industry.
Ceramic was used for insulation previously but is being replaced by carbon fiber for its short replacement cycle.
Hyosung Advanced Materials’ carbon fiber brand TANSOME? 

Coca Cola, Nestlé face scrutiny on recycled bottles claims

 

Dutch consumer watchdog Consumentenbond has joined European consumer organisation Beuc and other groups from 12 EU countries in a legal complaint against food and drink giants Coca Cola, Danone and Nestlé for misleading claims about recycling plastic bottles.
The groups on Tuesday filed a case to the European Commission and consumer protection authorities’ network CPC calling for an investigation into claims that plastic water bottles sold across Europe are ‘100% recyclable’ or ‘100% recycled’.  Circular Textiles

They also denounced the use of images suggesting that plastic bottles have no impact on the environment. The groups argue such claims are “factually incorrect” and do not comply with EU rules as they mislead consumers.

The recycling rate for PET plastic bottles is estimated to be 55% across the EU and the likelihood of it becoming a bottle again is around 30%, the groups say.

The claims also do not consider that virgin materials can be added during manufacturing and parts of a plastic water bottle, such as lids and labels, cannot be made from recycled plastic.  Circular Textiles

Drinks bottles are one of the top sources of plastic pollution on European beaches, the organisations noted and in October Dutch government inspectors said that the private sector is not doing enough to make sure more plastic bottles are collected.

“Using 100% recycled or recyclable claims or displaying nature images and green visuals that insinuate that plastic is environmentally friendly is misleading consumers.

Such claims however can be found on many bottles sold across Europe.

The problem is that there’s no guarantee it will be fully recycled once it’s in the bin,” said Beuc deputy director Ursula Pachl.  Circular Textiles

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Coca Cola, Nestlé face scrutiny on recycled bottles claims

One million tonnes of plastic additives pollute the world’s oceans each year

A new study has revealed that approximately one million tonnes of plastic additives leak into the planet’s oceans every year.

The report – conducted by EA Earth Action – reveals the scale of pollution caused by these chemicals on an annual basis, with the organisation warning that, without substantial changes to production and waste management, the leakage of plastic additives into oceans and waterways could increase by over 50 per cent by 2040.

The study – entitled ‘Adding It Up’ – further highlights that a significant portion of this pollution – approximately 116 kilotonnes – originates from plastic packaging materials alone.  Circular Textiles

EA Earth Action stresses the potential dangers this could pose to human health – the vast majority of additives found are untested, unregulated and have been linked to various health conditions such as obesity, cancer and fertility issues.

Everyday items such as textiles or vehicle tires provided a considerable contribution to the leakage into oceans at 37 and 35 kilotonnes respectively.

Publishing the findings ahead of the third session of the UN Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations (INC-3) – aimed at formulating a legally binding international treaty to tackle plastic pollution – EA Earth Action is calling for increased transparency on the composition of plastic products alongside the scaling of effective waste management practices across the globe.  Circular Textiles

Julien Boucher, Founder of EA Earth Action commented: “The findings of our report underscore the urgency of adopting a comprehensive approach to confront the challenge of plastic pollution and combat additive leakage effectively.

“The widespread inclusion of potentially harmful additives in plastics, combined with substantial amounts of mismanaged plastic waste worldwide, has created the toxic threat we face today.

“Addressing the problem with additives must be a key talking point at INC-3 if we are to protect the ecosystem and human health from its detrimental effects. Further research into these chemical compounds is critical to addressing the threats from the whole spectrum of plastic pollution.”  Circular Textiles

Calls to reduce plastic additives in oceans

EA Earth Action is calling on policymakers to select materials that are both more reusable and recyclable to help tackle the plastics crisis and drive towards a more circular economy.

The organisation has also called for further research on how and why plastic additives leak into the environment and the effects this has on the human body to enable governments worldwide to construct more effective prevention strategies.

Maria Westerbos, Founder of the Plastic Soup Foundation and Co-founder of the Plastic Healthy Council said: “The results of EA Earth Action’s Adding it up report are a sobering reminder of how additives toxify both our planet and our bodies. We should never forget that all these chemicals are added to plastics and, in that way, are released into the entire ecosystem, including our own bodies. We now must see action.”

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One million tonnes of plastic additives pollute the world’s oceans each year

APR and RecyClass Work to Align Design for Recycling Guidance
Continued efforts to drive harmonization of plastic packaging recyclability

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently announced updates to the APR Design® Guide for Plastic Recyclability to align with RecyClass, the European based non-profit initiative focused on advancing plastics circularity. The APR Design® Guide will now state that 6% of EVOH is allowed for HDPE containers.  Circular Textiles

“Because the recycling process is very similar in both geographies, packaging will likely be processed similarly,” said Curt Cozart, APR COO. “Although some differences exist, APR Design® Guidance is nearly the same as RecyClass. The APR® Design Guide previously allowed for 5% EVOH in HDPE containers but will update to 6% to align with RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines.”

Through their respective Technical Committees, APR and RecyClass are accelerating global alignment of recyclability principles. In these groups, scientific data, gathered based on standardized testing protocols, is shared and serves as the base for discussions on uncovering the complexities of plastic packaging.  Circular Textiles

In addition to guidance on the use of EVOH in HDPE containers, guidance on the use of EVOH in PP containers has also been streamlined through this collaboration.

“To achieve a truly circular future for plastics, harmonization is essential,” commented Paolo Glerean, Chairman of RecyClass. “The real value of the collaboration between APR and RecyClass is evident in these latest recommendations, providing clearer guidance to the plastics industry globally. These joint efforts will allow the plastic packaging value chain to standardize their products on a larger scale and make the path towards the circular use of plastics more cost efficient.”

This activity is part of a continued effort between APR and RecyClass to reinforce their collaboration to drive worldwide harmonization of recyclability for all plastic packaging types, through a shared vision of science-based design for recycling guidelines and protocols for recyclability assessments.  Circular Textiles

This partnership will drive a unified, fact-based approach to recyclability, and bring clarity to the whole value chain.

The harmonization efforts are underway, taking into consideration the variations in recycling capabilities and infrastructure between the two regions.

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APR and RecyClass Work to Align Design for Recycling Guidance Continued efforts to drive harmonization of plastic packaging recyclability

Flake sorting –  Demystifying Chemical Recycling: An Emerging Solution or a New Set of Challenges? 09-11-2023

Circular Textiles

Plastic Pollution – EU launches trade attack against China in a war it can’t win  10-10-2023

Plastic Pollution

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Plastic Recycling Technology: A Solution for the Plastic Pollution Crisis

Plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world, but it also poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. Every year, more than 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, but only 9% of it is recycled into new plastics. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the oceans, where it can harm wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.

To tackle this problem, scientists and engineers are developing new ways to recycle plastic waste more efficiently and sustainably. One of these methods is chemical recycling, which involves breaking down plastic molecules into smaller units that can be used as raw materials for new products.  Plastic Pollution

Q   How does chemical recycling work?

A.  Unlike mechanical recycling, which melts and reshapes plastic waste into new products without changing its chemical structure, chemical recycling transforms plastic waste into different substances. There are several types of chemical recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis, gasification, hydro-cracking, and depolymerisation.

Pyrolysis is a process that heats plastic waste in the absence of oxygen, producing a mixture of gases, liquids, and solids. The gases and liquids can be used as fuels or feedstocks for making new plastics or other chemicals. The solids can be used as carbon black, a material used in tyres, rubber products, and ink.

Gasification is a process that converts plastic waste into a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas. Syngas can be used to generate electricity or to produce synthetic fuels or chemicals.  Plastic Pollution

Hydro-cracking is a process that uses hydrogen and a catalyst to break down plastic waste into smaller hydrocarbon molecules, such as propane or ethane. These molecules can be used as fuels or feedstocks for making new plastics or other chemicals.

Depolymerisation is a process that reverses the polymerisation reaction that forms plastics from monomers. Monomers are the building blocks of plastics, such as ethylene or terephthalate. By using heat, pressure, or catalysts, depolymerisation breaks down plastic waste into its original monomers, which can be purified and reused to make new plastics.

Q    What are the benefits of chemical recycling?

A.  Chemical recycling offers several advantages over mechanical recycling. First, it can recycle plastics that are difficult or impossible to recycle mechanically, such as mixed or contaminated plastics, multilayer plastics, or plastics with additives or colours. Second, it can produce high-quality recycled materials that have similar properties to virgin materials, avoiding the loss of quality or performance that often occurs with mechanical recycling.  Plastic Pollution

Third, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy and resources that would otherwise be used to produce new plastics from fossil fuels.Q

Q    What are the challenges of chemical recycling?

A.  Chemical recycling also faces some challenges that need to be overcome before it can be widely adopted. One of them is the high cost and energy consumption of the processes, which depend on the type and quality of the plastic waste and the desired output. Another challenge is the availability and accessibility of suitable plastic waste streams that can be collected and sorted for chemical recycling. A third challenge is the regulation and standardisation of chemical recycling processes and products, which vary across different countries and regions.  Plastic Pollution

Q    How can chemical recycling help solve the plastic pollution crisis?

A.  Chemical recycling is not a silver bullet that can solve the plastic pollution crisis alone. It needs to be combined with other strategies, such as reducing plastic production and consumption, improving plastic design and quality, enhancing mechanical recycling systems and infrastructure, promoting circular economy principles and practices, and raising awareness and education among consumers and stakeholders.

However, chemical recycling can play an important role in closing the loop of plastic waste management and creating a more sustainable future for plastics.

By transforming plastic waste into valuable resources that can be reused again and again, chemical recycling can help reduce environmental impacts, conserve natural resources, create new economic opportunities, and support innovation and development in the plastics industry.  Plastic Pollution

References:

1 Recycling technologies • Plastics Europe

2 The world’s first ‘infinite’ plastic – BBC Future

3 Plastic Recycling Technology: What are the Environmental Benefits …

4 Plastic pollution: how chemical recycling technology could help fix it

5 New process could enable more efficient plastics recycling

Plastic Pollution

EU launches trade attack against China in a war it can’t win

The European Union is preparing new anti-China measures. BYD is sticking Tesla to the crown, but sales are also increasing at other Chinese EV builders. The large state-owned enterprises are investing heavily in emerging high-tech sectors. Human-like robots are in the spotlight, but the gaming sector is also catching up on the AI road. We end with a chips section.  Plastic Pollution

As part of its economic security strategy, the EU Commission has unveiled 4 technologies in which it seeks to de-crist: advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and biotechnology. Although China is not mentioned in particular, it is clear who is targeted. The Commission is now going to flea by the end of the year to what extent the 27 Member States are exposed to risks. Ultimately, restrictions could be placed on the export or investment of European companies in high-tech sub-sectors that are classified as high risk. By next spring, four other technologies would be eligible. It involves advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technology-including IoT and blockchain-advanced sensor technology, space and propulsion technology, energy technology, robotics and advanced materials. of SCMP    Plastic Pollution

EU Commissioner for Justice Reynders has revealed on the French BFM TV that the Commission is considering a similar investigation of the windmills by analogy with the investigation into government support for electric vehicles. Interest association WindEurope has been complaining stone and leg over Chinese competition FT for some time

The European Parliament, for its part, has approved an ‘anti-compulsive’ instrument that would allow Brussels to impose tariffs, quotas, export controls or market frostbites on countries that are believed to engage in economic harassment.

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Toray Expanding European Carbon Fiber Production Facilities

Toray Industries, Inc., announced that it has decided to expand French subsidiary Toray Carbon Fibers Europe S.A.’s production facilities for regular tow* medium- and high-modulus carbon fibers. This move will increase annual capacity at the Abidos plant (South-West France) from 5,000 metric tons annually, to 6,000 metric tons. Production is expected to start in 2025.  Plastic Pollution
Demand for medium- and high-modulus carbon fibers is rising in Europe, driven by a push to move towards a net-zero society. This growth is mainly due to higher build rates for commercial aircrafts (secondary structures and engines), as well as centrifuge for energy production, satellites, and high-end automobiles. By boosting carbon fiber production capacity in Europe, Toray is responding to its customers’ demand for medium and high-modulus carbon fibers, as befits the market leader.

Toray has made sustainable growth pivotal to Project AP-G 2025, its medium-term management program. Accordingly, the company has developed solutions to tackle climate change with its carbon fiber composite materials. Toray will fully leverage its resources to help achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, in keeping with its corporate philosophy of contributing to society by creating new value.  Plastic Pollution

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 World plastic production and consumption per capita

Plastic recycling is the process of recovering plastic waste and transforming it into new products.    Plastic Pollution

There are different methods of plastic recycling, such as mechanical, chemical and direct recycling1. Here is a brief overview of each method:

The plastic recycling metric ton by 2022 is not easy to estimate, as there are different sources and methods of measuring plastic waste and recycling.

We can resume so :

As you can see, these estimates vary widely depending on the data source and methodology used. Therefore, it is important to be cautious and critical when interpreting these numbers, and to consider the uncertainties and limitations involved in measuring plastic waste and recycling.  Plastic Pollution

World plastic production and consumption per capita

Saudi Arabia, Russia to continue voluntary oil cuts

Saudi Arabia and Russia said they were continuing voluntary oil cuts to year end as tightening supply and rising demand support oil prices,said Reuters.

The Saudi and Russian statements come hours before a ministerial monitoring panel of the OPEC+ group of leading oil producers convenes online later on Wednesday. The panel, called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, can call for a full OPEC+ meeting if warranted but sources have told Reuters it is unlikely to tweak current oil output policy.

Oil prices continued a downward trend directly following the news with Brent futures falling $1 to $89.92 a barrel but they were trading at $90.40 a barrel by 0854 GMT. OPEC+, which comprises the countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and leading allies including Russia, has been cutting output since last year in what it says is preemptive action to maintain market stability.  Plastic Pollution

The U.S. and Western allies have argued that the world needs lower prices to support economic growth and the global economy. Saudi Arabia, the OPEC de facto leader, said it would continue with its voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) for the month of November and until the end of the year and that it would review the decision again next month.

The kingdom’s production for November and December will be approximately 9 million bpd, the energy ministry said in a statement. “This voluntary cut decision will be reviewed next month to consider deepening the cut or increasing production,” the statement said.

Saudi Arabia first implemented the additional voluntary cut in July and has been renewing it monthly. It said in September the cut would last until year end but would be reviewed on a monthly basis. Russia in August said it would reduce exports by 300,000 bpd until the end of this year.  Plastic Pollution

The Saudi and Russian additional voluntary cuts come on top of April cuts agreed by them and several OPEC+ producers, which extend to the end of 2024.

Saudi Arabia, Russia to continue voluntary oil cuts

Borouge and Tadweer sign partnership to explore recycling opportunities in Abu Dhabi

Borouge, a leading petrochemical company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions and Tadweer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities in the management and adoption of best practices in waste management, sorting and mechanical recycling of polymers, said the company.
Tadweer, part of ADQ, is the sole custodian of waste management for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is committed to developing an integrated waste management sector and becoming a leader in extracting value from waste to contribute to national sustainability ambitions.  Plastic Pollution
Borouge and Tadweer will explore further opportunities in polymers waste sorting for mechanical recycling and the development of a sustainable ecosystem, to secure the generation of high-quality polymer recyclates using different technologies. Furthermore, the partners will join forces to establish business development and benchmarking frameworks which unlock value added business opportunities through potential joint investments in brown and greenfield assets. The agreement reinforces Borouge and Tadweer’s leading industry positions and supports their circular economy ambitions.
Both companies will be collaborating in supporting local regulatory frameworks related to the sustainable and efficient management of polymer waste. This includes the launch of public initiatives and campaigns to boost awareness about best practices in polymer waste management and recycling.  Plastic Pollution
Committed to driving circularity for a zero-waste environment, Borouge has increased the number of strategic partnerships with recycling companies and expanded its product portfolio of sustainable solutions. Today, Borouge has 18 partnerships across eight countries serving its key territories in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, marking an important milestone in its ambitions towards realising its 2030 strategy.
Borouge is a responsible petrochemical company with a portfolio of sustainable solutions. The Company works with customers, suppliers and value chain partners to address global challenges, with a comprehensive roadmap to reduce emissions. In addition, Borouge collaborates with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi to combat a multitude of environmental issues related to waste management.  Plastic Pollution
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Tadweer has built partnerships with leading global entities in Greece, Spain, Jordan, and more. These partnerships, which are focused on the exchange of knowledge and experience, contribute to driving a circular economy and achieving a sustainable future. Tadweer’s partners play a pivotal role in supporting the company to develop an integrated waste management system, in line with the UAE’s sustainability objectives.

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Borouge and Tadweer sign partnership to explore recycling opportunities in Abu Dhabi

UK implements new restrictions on single-use plastics

Commencing on 1 October 2023, the sweeping ban marks a watershed moment in the global fight against plastic waste.

On 1 October 2023, England took a significant step in its fight against plastic pollution with the introduction of new regulations banning several single-use plastic items.

In a bid to address the escalating problem of plastic pollution and litter, the UK government has implemented a series of bans and restrictions on single-use plastic items, taking effect on Sunday 1 October 2023.  Plastic Pollution

These measures, announced in January, will prohibit the sale of single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups and food containers across various sectors, including retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry.

Restrictions will also be placed on the supply of single-use plastic plates, trays and bowls.

Environmental impact and public support

Single-use plastics are known for their long-lasting environmental impact, taking hundreds of years to decompose and causing harm to oceans, rivers and land.

Furthermore, the production and disposal of plastic items contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Research indicates that in England alone, approximately 2.7 billion single-use plastic cutlery items and 721 million single-use plates are used annually, with only a meagre 10% being recycled.  Plastic Pollution

These items, if lined up, would circle the globe more than eight-and-a-half times.

The public has overwhelmingly supported these measures, with 95% of respondents in favour of the prohibitions following a government consultation. This broad support reflects a shared commitment to reducing plastic waste and littering, particularly as plastic cutlery ranked among the top 15 most littered items in the country in 2020.

Collaboration and future initiatives

The government has worked closely with industry stakeholders to facilitate their transition to compliance with the new regulations. Businesses were provided with nine months from the publication of the consultation response to prepare and deplete existing stock.

Collaboration with trade bodies and local authorities has also played a crucial role in ensuring businesses and Trading Standards officers are well-prepared for the implementation of the new rules.  Plastic Pollution

The ban does not extend to single-use plastic plates, trays and bowls used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items. These items will be addressed within the government’s plans for an extended producer responsibility scheme, designed to incentivise producers to minimise packaging and meet higher recycling targets.

These new measures are part of the UK government’s broader commitment to combat plastic pollution and eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042.

Prior actions included banning microbeads in personal care products in 2018, restricting the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in 2020 and introducing the Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022.  Plastic Pollution

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UK implements new restrictions on single-use plastics

Recycling Technology – Petrochemicals Polymers – German industrial orders rebound in August but outlook uncertain  09-10-2023

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