Hydrogen vehicles – Recycled plastic reduces carbon consumption by up to 87 per cent 27-11-2023

ALPLA is focusing on the circular economy: the global packaging specialist invests more than 50 million euros annually in recycling and uses state-of-the-art technologies to produce recycled material. With an installed and projected output capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year, the company is one of the world’s leading plastics recyclers. Analyses performed by the life cycle assessment specialist c7-consult now confirm efficient production at a total of four additional sites in Mexico and Germany. There, ALPLArecycling produces rPET and rHDPE, which produces up to 87 per cent fewer carbon emissions than virgin materials.

‘The figures confirm our path. We produce climate-friendly recycling solutions with a regional focus and convert the material into new packaging, thereby promoting the bottle-to-bottle loop. In this way, we ensure there are safe, affordable and sustainable packaging solutions all over the world,’ emphasises Georg Lässer, Director of Business Development, Procurement and Sales, Recycling, at ALPLA.  Hydrogen vehicles

Circular economy pioneers in Mexico

ALPLArecycling produces 30,000 tonnes of rHDPE per year at its Toluca recycling plant in Mexico. Production in Toluca causes 0.69 kg of CO₂e per kilogram. This is 70 per cent fewer emissions than with HDPE virgin material (2.32 kg of CO₂e per kilogram[1]). ALPLA has been operating what was the first PET recycling plant in Latin America at the time in Toluca since 2005 within the joint venture IMER (Industria Mexicana de Reciclaje S.A. de C.V.) together with Coca-Cola FEMSA and The Coca-Cola Company. It has an annual production capacity of 16,000 tonnes of rPET. According to the analysis, production causes only 0.38 kg of CO₂e per kilogram, which is 87 per cent less than virgin PET (2.90 kg of CO₂e per kilogram[2]).  Hydrogen vehicles

The rPET production capacity in Mexico will be increased to 51,000 tonnes next year. The PLANETA plant (Planta Nueva Ecología de Tabasco) in Cunduacán is currently being built in cooperation with Coca-Cola FEMSA. The joint venture partners are setting new collection priorities with the model of paying for the receipt of used PET bottles and with social cooperations. ‘Recycling is a key element in packaging solutions of the future. We want to convince people of the benefits and are drawing on substantiated data to do so. Exact analysis of our plants also enables us to improve our ecological footprint in a targeted manner,’ explains Carlos Torres Ballesteros, ALPLA Managing Director, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.  Hydrogen vehicles

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China in red, lithium in free fall. Here because

This financial turbulence unfolded against the backdrop of Beijing’s concerted efforts to rescue the beleaguered real estate sector, strained under the weight of mounting debt. Compounding the unease were anxieties surrounding China’s October PMI figures, slated for release the following week, following September readings that signaled a contraction in manufacturing and a deceleration in service activities.

Amidst these concerns, skepticism swirled regarding the efficacy of Beijing’s various real estate stimulus measures, including the decision to allow banks to extend unsecured short-term loans to sector companies.  Hydrogen vehicles

Despite the day’s downturn, the Hang Seng index was on course for its second consecutive weekly gain, rising by approximately 1.0%.

This optimism stemmed from the hope that the Federal Reserve’s tightening trajectory might be nearing its conclusion, with the first rate cut anticipated in March 2024.

Meanwhile, Japan grappled with a surge in inflation, reaching 3.3% in October 2023, up from the previous month’s 3.0%.

This marked the highest level since July, with core inflation also climbing to 2.9%, just below the consensus of 3.0%.  Hydrogen vehicles

Notably, the Bank of Japan’s 2% inflation target remained elusive for the 19th consecutive month.

In a starkly different economic arena, the price of Chinese lithium carbonate, denominated in yuan, continued its month-long descent, plummeting by 75% for the year.

An oversupply in the market exerted downward pressure on prices, prompting electric vehicle manufacturers to reevaluate their strategies.

Chinese lithium carbonate prices dipped by 2.3% on Thursday and a staggering 20% thus far in November, with the last recorded daily gain occurring on October 25th.

The spodumene, a lithium-bearing rock extracted in Australia, witnessed more than a 50% decrease in value in 2023.  Hydrogen vehicles

Shifting the focus to geopolitics, Argentina’s newly elected president, Javier Milei, adopted a more tempered tone compared to his previous sharp rhetoric.

Following his victory, Milei extended well-wishes to the Chinese people, a notable departure from his earlier characterization of the Chinese government as an “assassin” during an August interview.

Milei’s gesture included responding to a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping and hinting at the potential inclusion of former central bank president Luis Caputo in a significant economic role.  Hydrogen vehicles

Hydrogen, often hailed as a beacon of eco-friendly transportation,  particularly in the context of fuel cell technology

While electric cars dominate green conversations, fuel cell-powered vehicles, like the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, are making their mark in the Italian automotive landscape. These models leverage hydrogen-oxygen reactions to generate electrical energy, offering the notable advantage of rapid refueling, with the Mirai boasting a mere five minutes for a substantial range exceeding 600 km. However, this green innovation comes at a price—both the Mirai and Nexo command high price tags of 66,000 and approximately 80,000 euros respectively.  Hydrogen vehicles

Beyond these initial offerings, car manufacturers like Toyota and BMW are exploring hydrogen’s potential in different vehicle types. Toyota showcased the GR Yaris H2, integrating hydrogen as fuel while maintaining a modified turbocharged internal combustion engine. On the other hand, BMW, an early advocate for hydrogen engines since 2000, remains in the experimental phase, producing small series for testing purposes, as seen in the iX5 Hydrogen.

Despite promising strides in vehicle technology, a critical hurdle to widespread adoption is the lack of infrastructure. With only two operational hydrogen refueling stations—located in Bolzano and Mestre—accessing fuel remains a challenge for Italian motorists. Hydrogen, currently perceived as more suitable for heavy transport, is reflected in logistical decisions favoring areas like the Brenner road axis and the Trieste-to-Turin corridor. The Ministry of Transport’s 2023 ranking of 36 new projects earmarks public funding for expanding the hydrogen refueling network by 2026, encompassing regions from Valcamonica and Umbria to Puglia and Calabria.  Hydrogen vehicles

Territorial imbalances compound the issue, as private mobility needs are not met uniformly across regions. Of the 36 proposed projects, only six are slated for implementation in southern regions, with Veneto leading the charge with nine refueling stations. Comparatively, Germany, a hydrogen pioneer, already boasts 92 supply points, revealing the substantial gap in Italy’s hydrogen infrastructure development. As European nations race toward hydrogen expansion goals, Italy aims for 70 stations by 2030, falling behind Germany, the United Kingdom, and France in this ambitious pursuit.

The journey toward making hydrogen a viable solution in Italy’s transportation landscape is underway, but substantial challenges must be surmounted for it to become a mainstream reality.  Hydrogen vehicles

Hydrogen vehicles represent a promising yet underutilized facet of the automotive landscape, offering a unique alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars and electric vehicles

Although their popularity has been eclipsed by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, understanding how hydrogen vehicle engines work sheds light on their potential and the challenges they face.

At the heart of hydrogen vehicles is the fuel cell, a device that enables the conversion of hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process. Unlike conventional internal combustion engines, hydrogen vehicles employ electric motors for propulsion. This distinction positions them as electric vehicles (EVs), despite the divergent energy source.

In a hydrogen vehicle, the journey from hydrogen gas to electrical power begins with the storage of hydrogen in a high-pressure tank.  Hydrogen vehicles

This gaseous fuel is then directed to a fuel cell stack, a crucial component housing a catalyst, often platinum. As hydrogen molecules interact with the catalyst in a controlled electrochemical reaction, electrons are released, generating electrical energy.

This process is known as the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, one of the most common designs in hydrogen vehicles.

The produced electricity is subsequently harnessed to power the electric motor, propelling the vehicle forward. Remarkably, the sole byproduct of this energy conversion is water vapor, positioning hydrogen vehicles as exceptionally clean and environmentally friendly transportation options.

However, despite their potential ecological advantages, hydrogen vehicles face significant challenges hindering their widespread adoption.  Hydrogen vehicles

The dearth of hydrogen refueling infrastructure poses a substantial hurdle, limiting the practicality of these vehicles for everyday consumers. Additionally, concerns regarding the flammability of hydrogen gas have contributed to apprehension surrounding its use as a fuel source.

As of now, the disparity in adoption rates between electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles is stark. The United States, for instance, boasts over 2 million electric vehicles on its roads, dwarfing the approximately 15,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles in operation. Nevertheless, ongoing advancements in technology, coupled with efforts to expand hydrogen infrastructure, may yet breathe new life into the hydrogen vehicle revolution, offering a compelling alternative in the quest for sustainable transportation.

Coperion recycling innovation centre starts operations in Germany

The high-tech test centre for plastics recycling applications is located in Niederbiegen near Weingarten, Germany

Machinery producer Coperion has started operations at its plastics recycling innovation centre in Niederbiegen near Weingarten, southern Germany.  Hydrogen vehicles

The Recycling Innovation Centre is situated in the immediate vicinity of Coperion’s existing test centre for Bulk Solids Handling, expanding the company’s test lab capacities in Germany alone up to 5,000 square meters.

The high-tech centre allows Coperion’s customers to test every recycling process step, from material handling and feeding to extrusion, compounding, pelletising, material postprocessing, and deodorisation. Extensively equipped recycling systems are available that can be modified in myriad ways, depending upon the specific requirements of the recyclate to be produced.  Hydrogen vehicles

Machinery available include the Fluidlift ecodry for material flash drying during conveying; the Mix-a-Lot bulk solid mixer for creating pre-mixes including flakes or powders; and a ZS-B MEGAfeed side feeder, especially for extruding and compounding plastic recyclates with bulk densities starting as low as 20 kg/m³ at high throughputs.

“With this new Recycling Innovation Centre, we’re in a position where we can simulate the entire plastics recycling process,” said Massimo Serapioni, general manager of Coperion’s Recycling Business Unit. “Our customers can test the complete process, from mechanical pre-treatment of plastics in Herbold Meckesheim’s Test Centre up to compounding and pelletizing, prior to making the investment.

As a supplier of entire recycling systems, we are very proud to be able to offer our customers this enormous added value.”  Hydrogen vehicles

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Here is the extraordinary news: BYD, the Chinese giant, has started construction of the largest salt battery factory in the world, located in Xuzhou, between Beijing and Shanghai, with a monumental investment of 1.2 billion euros

Plastic waste – Svensk Plaståtervinning opens state-of-the-art facility for plastic recycling 25-11-2023

Hydrogen vehicles