PET Chemical Recycling – German plastics are currently facing a crisis looming on the horizon 19-02-2024
PET Chemical Recycling
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have once again targeted a commercial ship in the Red Sea
This particular vessel flies the Greek flag but is owned by a US company. According to the maritime security company Ambrey, the ship fell victim to a double missile attack, fortunately missing its intended target.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damage, and the ship continues its journey toward the Gulf of Aden.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, overseen by the British Navy, acknowledges that the ship experienced “an explosion in the vicinity” but without significant consequences. PET Chemical Recycling
However, the Houthis claim to have struck another cargo ship, this time British, which they believe suffered substantial damage. Additionally, they assert that they shot down a US drone over their territory.
The naval conflict in the Red Sea persists. On Saturday, February 17, the United States launched five attacks against the Houthi group’s positions in Yemen.
This military campaign was initiated by Washington in response to the Yemeni armed group’s threat to global trade passing through the Red Sea.
The trigger for this retaliation was Israel’s military operation in Gaza, which followed the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. PET Chemical Recycling
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree, in a televised speech, revealed that the cargo ship Rubymar sustained “catastrophic damage” and came to a complete halt.
He emphasized that the ship now faces the risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden. During the operation, the Houthi forces ensured the safe evacuation of the ship’s crew. Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, confirmed that the Rubymar is a UK-registered, Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated cargo ship targeted by the Houthi military group controlling part of Yemen on Sunday, February 18.
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German plastics are currently facing a crisis looming on the horizon
The German plastics industry finds itself grappling with a crisis as the processing sector experienced a significant downturn in sales, plummeting by approximately 6% last year due to challenges within the domestic market. The industry’s turnover for 2023 amounted to 72.5 billion euros, marking a stark decline from the previous year’s 77.1 billion euros. Unfortunately, the forecasts for the current year do not paint a much brighter picture.
Domestic sales took a severe hit, plunging by 9.4% to 42.3 billion euros, signaling a broader industrial crisis within Germany.
In contrast, exports managed to maintain stability, hovering around 30.2 billion euros, with a slight increase in export share to 41.8%. However, the volume of polymers processed in Germany saw a notable decrease, totaling 12.7 million tonnes, down by 9% compared to 2022. PET Chemical Recycling
Employment in the sector also experienced a decline of 2.2%, totaling 319,264 units, while the number of processing companies remained relatively stagnant at just under three thousand. The industry association, Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie (GKV), led by Bavarian entrepreneur Helen Fürst, has criticized the German Government, urging them to implement a new development agenda promptly to reignite growth within the industry within the next two to three years.
According to the association, the crisis is primarily structural, rather than cyclical, stemming from unfavorable conditions faced by the German industry, including impending policies like the plastic tax.
The proposed growth agenda should address key issues such as energy costs, bureaucratic hurdles, investments, and digitalization. PET Chemical Recycling
In terms of sector performance, packaging experienced a significant decline in both volume and turnover, while construction and consumer goods sectors also faced substantial challenges, albeit with some segments managing to maintain stability or even slight growth.
Canada emphasizes that China has a significant responsibility in ensuring the safety of the Red Sea
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, emphasized the imperative role of China in safeguarding the Red Sea for maritime trade amidst Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, exemplified by the recent missile strike on the oil tanker M/T Pollux. Joly stressed that given the presence of Chinese ships in the area, Beijing should actively contribute to ensuring the Red Sea’s security and cease aiding Russia in bypassing global sanctions. PET Chemical Recycling
During discussions with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Joly underscored the necessity for China to exert its influence on the Houthis to maintain open navigation routes in the Red Sea, aligning with China’s interests as a major exporter. The attacks, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have disrupted vital trade passages between Asia and Europe, impacting China-bound shipments.
Moreover, Joly pressed for solidarity in upholding Western sanctions against Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, cautioning against China becoming a loophole in the sanction framework. Highlighting Russia’s emergence as China’s primary crude oil supplier despite sanctions, she underscored the utilization of intermediary traders by Chinese refiners to mitigate sanctions breaches. PET Chemical Recycling
Following the meeting, Minister Yi acknowledged the necessity to mend Canada-China relations strained by diplomatic tensions stemming from the detention of a Chinese telecommunications executive by Canadian authorities in late 2018, followed by reciprocal arrests by Beijing. The relationship endured further strain amid allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections, countered by Chinese denial.
Artificial photosynthesis harnesses carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce eco-friendly biodegradable plastic
A groundbreaking artificial photosynthesis technique has been devised, heralding a significant stride in the creation of biodegradable plastics. Developed by researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan, this innovation aims to address the pressing environmental challenges posed by both greenhouse gas-induced climate change and plastic pollution. PET Chemical Recycling
Harnessing a visible light-driven redox system, coupled with biomass-derived compounds and gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2), the method yields chemicals pivotal in the production of fumaric acid. Fumaric acid stands as a crucial component in biodegradable plastics like polybutylene succinate, commonly utilized in food packaging.
Building upon previous research led by Professor Yutaka Amao at the Research Centre for Artificial Photosynthesis, which demonstrated fumaric acid synthesis from bicarbonate and pyruvic acid using solar energy, this latest endeavor achieves a pivotal breakthrough. Despite prior challenges with low yield, the team’s refined approach, employing a new photosensitizer to convert light into usable energy, now doubles the production of fumaric acid compared to conventional methods. PET Chemical Recycling
Professor Amao underscores the significance of this advancement, highlighting its contribution to the intricate bio/photocatalyst system. He emphasizes the pivotal role this plays in advancing towards a sustainable future, synthesizing fumaric acid from renewable energy sources with unprecedented efficiency.
Itelyum, a Lodi-based company specializing in industrial waste management and valorization, has announced a substantial investment in Plasta Rei, focusing on the chemical recycling of PET
The collaborative venture entails the establishment of a depolymerization facility within a defunct factory in Latina province.
Pending regulatory approvals, the initiative aims to reclaim PET food packaging, employing advanced chemical recycling techniques to produce high-quality granules equivalent to virgin material. Plasta Rei’s innovative process boasts an impressive PET recovery rate exceeding 95%, significantly mitigating CO2 emissions compared to conventional non-recycled counterparts.
Backed by Stirling Square Capital Partners and Deutsche Beteiligungs, Itelyum views this foray into plastic recycling as a strategic imperative, leveraging its technological prowess and corporate stability to pursue sustainable development goals. CEO and General Director Marco Codognola underscores the venture’s significance, citing growth opportunities in Italy and beyond. PET Chemical Recycling
According to Francesco Borgomeo, President and Shareholder of Plasta Rei, Itelyum’s investment underscores the project’s merit and underscores a commitment to transformative innovation in plastics. Established three years ago, Plasta Rei endeavors to revolutionize the sector by repurposing defunct facilities and implementing unconventional production methodologies, as envisioned by its founder Francesco Borgomeo.
Jonathan Lee, a structural materials engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, pioneered a groundbreaking technology for crafting brake discs, aimed at optimizing efficiency and performance
Amidst the pandemic hiatus, Lee’s innovative insight focused on reducing wheel mass to decrease energy consumption during braking and acceleration. Contrary to conventional ventilated brake discs, Lee’s solution proposes direct cooling of hot surfaces, eliminating one disc per wheel to reduce weight. PET Chemical Recycling
The prototype features a single disc adorned with small fins and extended grooves, drawing in cooler external air to dissipate heat efficiently. This design results in a 30% increase in available surface area and a remarkable 40% reduction in assembly weight. Additionally, the redesigned brake pads exhibit enhanced friction and efficacy in dislodging debris, thus bolstering reliability.
Beyond performance enhancements, the technology addresses environmental concerns, particularly the emission of toxic nanoparticles. Marcus Hays, co-CEO of Orbis Brakes, emphasizes the health hazards posed by elevated temperatures in brake pads and resultant particulate emissions. Orbis actively refines its EcoWave design to align with impending Euro 7 standards, aiming to mitigate emissions. PET Chemical Recycling
In the automotive sector, Orbis offers the NextWave as an aftermarket upgrade for high-performance vehicles, presenting a compelling alternative to factory-installed brakes. As feedback accumulates, Orbis plans to expand its product lines, tailoring solutions for electric vehicles.
In essence, NASA’s breakthrough research aligns with evolving industry standards, providing a promising solution to mitigate brake-related emissions and enhance vehicle performance, spearheaded by Jonathan Lee’s innovative approach.
Aduro Clean Technologies Shares Sample Test Results from its Continuous Flow Unit Experimentation and Optimization Program
Aduro Clean Technologies Inc. , a Canadian technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21st century, is delighted to provide an update on the significant progress made in confirming and presenting the unique advantages of the Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT). PET Chemical Recycling
Since commencing the commissioning of its Continuous Flow Plastic Reactor in 2023, Aduro has conducted over 240 test runs on a variety of feedstock compositions, with the longest test stretching to 36 hours. The unit was committed to run experiments both for our Customer Engagement Program (CEP) and to achieve research goals, working with a broad variety of feedstocks and advancing the design of the Next Generation Process. Aduro considers its CEP approach crucial to assuring maximum alignment with market needs and changes therein, and to connect to specialised competences and expertise, and as such the CEP has significantly contributed to the advancement and refinement of Aduro’s Next Generation Process.vv
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