Flexible film – A new process separates mixed textile waste for recycling 08-07-2024 - Arhive
Flexible film
r-PET – Using Crop Waste to Develop Biobased Plastics
Crude Oil Prices Trend
Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime
Strong oil and petrochemical demand likely to 2030: GlobalData (Report)
Growing global demand for energy and petrochemicals, coupled with ongoing energy security concerns, could prompt rising demand for oil into 2030, despite the rapid deployment of green energy, according to a GlobalData response to the IEA’s recent Oil 2024 report. Flexible film
The IEA found that oil markets face challenges as medium-term structural shifts are expected to cause excess supply in six years’ time, with green and energy-saving technologies helping to gradually slow the pace of oil demand growth.It added that weaker macroeconomic expectations and unprecedented investment in alternatives will also push current oil users towards greener technology. Flexible film
However, GlobalData analysts pointed out that overall energy demand continues to grow, and if carbon capture, utilization and storage technology becomes more cost-effective, it could lessen the trade-off between oil production and climate goals.
In fact, oil and gas companies are still bearish about the widespread adoption of clean energy alternatives across various sectors. Flexible film
The analysts also pointed out that the oil market is highly dynamic, with forecasts often influenced by short to medium-term dynamics that may not persist in the long run.
For example, 20 years ago, the primary concern was oil supply limitations rather than demand. This is why forecasts are updated annually, as unexpected events and trends can significantly impact projections. Flexible film
The analysts also emphasize that energy security concerns will prevent many nations from completely phasing out oil, as it remains a readily available source of energy.The IEA also suggested that over the next few years, the supply and demand growth will mostly come from natural gas liquids and condensate. The energy body also argued that, along with declining demand for gasoline, refineries will have to adapt to these market changes.
A new process separates mixed textile waste for recycling
Two-step process breaks polyester and spandex down to their monomers and then separates cotton and nylon Flexible film
A new process skips the separation step of recycling textiles, making it easier to recover the components of mixed fibers for reuse.
After their lifetime of use, most discarded clothes languish in landfills or are incinerated. “Less than 1% of old clothing is recycled back to clothes right now,” says Erha Andini, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering at the University of Delaware. The most commonly used recycling process shreds textiles, shortening their fiber length such that the materials may not match stringent clothing industry requirements. And sorting mixed fibers for recycling is very expensive, Andini says.
Andini, Sunitha Sadula, Dionisios G. Vlachos, and other colleagues from the University of Delaware created a process that separates mixed textiles containing cotton, polyester, spandex, and nylon. First, the fiber mix is placed in ethylene glycol and heated in a microwave with a zinc oxide catalyst. Flexible film
This breaks the polyester and spandex into their monomers, allowing recovery of two base components: bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate—or BHET—from polyester and 4,4-methylenedianiline—or MDA—from spandex. The remaining formic acid dissolves the nylon, so it can be recovered by evaporation, and separates it from the remaining cotton.
Plast Nordic and Norner Collaborate to Scale Advanced PET Recycling in the Nordic Region
- The Challenge: Over 400,000 tons of PET waste currently exist in the Nordics, with exports resulting in significant energy loss and inefficient management of valuable resources.
- The Solution: Plast Nordic and Norner are using alkaline hydrolysis to recycle a remarkable 97% of PET waste back into raw materials. Their focus is on creating ‘virgin-quality’ rPET resin for the packaging and textile industries.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Plast Nordic employs patented microwave technology from Switzerland alongside alkaline hydrolysis.Flexible film
- This process is chemical-free and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The reactor runs continuously, handling both plastic and polyester textiles.
- Quality Assurance: The technology ensures resilience against impurities (up to 30% impurities without affecting quality), making it a game-changer for sustainable recycling.
- Industrial Collaboration: Norner, with its expertise in business strategy, polymer science, and production assessments, partners with Plast Nordic. Dr. Marianna Sarkissova also contributes her international project execution skills and access to capital. Flexible film
- Strategic Vision: The companies aim for scalable industrial projects that balance sustainability and business models. Rune Byremo, project manager at Plast Nordic, emphasizes the importance of the right industrial partners.
- Facility Expansion: Plast Nordic plans to open its first factory in Norway or Denmark by 2028, considering renewable energy, scalability, surplus heat, and logistics. Meanwhile, a demonstration plant exists in Italy, and a full-scale factory is set to open in Spain in 2027. Flexible film
STADLER Enhances Operations for VAERSA with New Light Packaging Plant in Spain
On July 3rd, STADLER Anlagenbau GmbH unveiled a cutting-edge light packaging sorting plant in Alzira, Spain, designed and built for public enterprise Vaersa. This state-of-the-art facility replaces an existing plant, significantly boosting capacity from 3 t/h to 8 t/h. Let’s delve into the details: Flexible film
- Inauguration and Dignitaries: The opening ceremony was a momentous occasion, attended by prominent local government representatives and key figures. Salomé Pradas (Councillor of Environment, Water, Infrastructure, and Territory), Francisco Javier Sendra (Regional Secretary of Environment and Territory), and Jorge Blanco (Director General of Quality and Environmental Education) graced the event. Vaersa’s top management, including José Alberto Comos (General Manager) and Raúl Esteban (Deputy Manager), joined Ismael Avilés Ortega (Operations Manager Spain at STADLER), Vicent Estruch (President of the V4 Ribera-Valdigna Consortium), and Alfons Dominguez (Mayor of Alzira) in celebrating this milestone. Flexible film
- Noelia Almiñana Lledó’s Remarks: Noelia Almiñana Lledó, Head of Vaersa’s Waste Department, reminisced about the Alzira site’s humble beginnings with a manual sorting plant back in 2000. She emphasized the remarkable progress achieved through STADLER’s automation, ensuring precise recovery of light packaging materials. José David Castillo Cáceres, Alzira Light Packaging Sorting Plant Manager, then presented the new plant, showcasing its advanced features.
- Vaersa’s Vision: Vaersa, a public enterprise under the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Ecological Transition, and Climate Emergency of the Valencian Autonomous Community, plays a crucial role in environmental management. Flexible film
- Since 2000, it has managed the light packaging sorting infrastructure for the Valencian Community. In 2023, recognizing the need for increased capacity and improved recycling quality, Vaersa invested in upgrading the Alzira plant. The project aimed to align with circular economy principles while adhering to stringent tender criteria.
- Tender Criteria and STADLER’s Solution: The project required designing a sorting line that maximized recovery, facilitated operation, and ensured safety for plant personnel. Flexible film
- STADLER’s highly detailed preliminary project stood out, securing the contract. Noelia Almiñana Lledó highlighted the challenge: transforming the least automated of the VAERSA Plants into an efficient, automated processing line that would double capacity.
Introducing FlexiBag Reinforced – Mondi’s Innovative Recyclable Packaging Solution
Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, proudly unveils FlexiBag Reinforced, the latest addition to its esteemed line of pre-made plastic bags. This cutting-edge product is crafted from mono-PE, ensuring it is fully recyclable wherever PE film collection and recycling facilities are available. Flexible film
FlexiBag Reinforced is designed in-house by leveraging Mondi’s comprehensive value chain, enabling the creation of highly customizable and cost-effective packaging solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs. The bags boast enhanced mechanical properties, including superior puncture resistance, stiffness, and sealability. Additionally, the barrier protection levels can be adjusted, offering medium to high protection against fat, oxygen, and moisture, making these bags ideal for the pet food industry. Flexible film
A key feature of FlexiBag Reinforced is its contribution to a circular economy. The bags can incorporate a customized percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, based on a mass-balance approach. This significantly reduces reliance on virgin plastics and promotes material efficiency by keeping materials in circulation.
FlexiBag Reinforced not only meets but anticipates future regulatory requirements, positioning Mondi as a proactive leader in sustainable packaging. Flexible film
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