PLA Solutions – Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), the European federation representing the plastic recycling industry, has launched a dedicated Task Force to explore and promote physical recycling through dissolution This innovative technique offers a sustainable alternative to mechanical and chemical recycling methods 18-04-2025 - Archive
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This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict
Imposing tariffs specifically on Chinese-made ships docking in U.S. ports introduces a new dimension to the dispute—targeting the logistics infrastructure itself rather than just the goods being transported.
Key Points:
Nature of the Tariff: The proposed tariffs target ships built in China, regardless of the cargo they carry, effectively penalizing the origin of the vessel rather than the product.
China’s Reaction: Beijing has swiftly condemned the move as “illegal”, likely referencing violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and potential breaches of maritime law and free trade principles. PLA Solutions
Global Impact:
Shipping Routes: This could force shippers to reroute through non-U.S. ports or shift to non-Chinese-built ships, disrupting global supply chains.
Cost Increases: Logistics costs may surge, especially for importers relying on lower-cost Chinese shipping infrastructure.
Alliances and Retaliation: China may retaliate by targeting U.S. logistics firms or imposing port restrictions on American-built ships.
Trade War Intensification: Coming from the Trump administration, this signals a return to aggressive trade tactics and could be seen as a geopolitical maneuver rather than purely economic. PLA Solutions
Crude Oil Prices Trend
TotalEnergies Corbion and Useon have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the industrial adoption of EPLA foam, a sustainable alternative to traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS)
This collaboration focuses on developing and commercializing EPLA moulded products globally. EPLA (Expanded PLA) is created using TotalEnergies Corbion’s Luminy PLA bioplastics and Useon’s direct bead foaming technology. Derived from renewable resources, EPLA is plant-based, industrially compostable, and designed as a circular solution for applications typically reliant on EPS, such as packaging, insulation, and thermal protection. PLA Solutions
Lightweight, resilient, and protective, EPLA foam suits a range of uses, including food service and cold-chain logistics. Under industrial composting conditions, EPLA decomposes into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, offering a significant environmental advantage.
As part of their agreement, TotalEnergies Corbion and Useon will jointly promote EPLA technology worldwide, exchange market insights, and collaborate on innovation. The foam will be showcased at Chinaplas 2025 as a key milestone in their outreach efforts.
Earlier this year, TotalEnergies Corbion also partnered with Win Win Water to introduce biodegradable water bottles made from Luminy PLA, which reportedly break down within 90 days in commercial composting setups. PLA Solutionsions
Additionally, Smart Planet Technologies unveiled a PLA-based version of its EarthCoating barrier in January. This compostable and recyclable coating, EarthCoating-Bio, integrates a specialized mineral blend to enhance recycling compatibility of coated paper cups with conventional systems, marking another advancement in sustainable packaging solutions.
Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), the European federation representing the plastic recycling industry, has launched a dedicated Task Force to explore and promote physical recycling through dissolution
This innovative technique offers a sustainable alternative to mechanical and chemical recycling methods. PLA Solutions Solutions polymers from additives and contaminants without breaking down the polymer chains, preserving material integrity. This process results in high-purity recycled plastics that can be reintroduced into production streams, aligning with circular economy principles.
The initiative was launched in conjunction with PRE’s collaboration with the DROP-IN project (Dissolution Recycling of Plastics Initiative), underscoring growing industry interest in scalable, complementary recycling solutions. Jim Armstrong, PRE board member and chair of the Task Force, emphasized the strategic importance of this new focus. “This initiative strengthens PRE’s commitment to advancing all viable recycling technologies. Dissolution recycling holds great promise and deserves broader recognition,” he stated.
The Task Force aims to increase awareness of the environmental and economic advantages of dissolution recycling. By emphasizing its role alongside traditional mechanical and chemical processes, PRE seeks to enhance overall recycling efficiency and flexibility in managing diverse plastic waste streams. PLA Solutionstions
PRE encourages companies involved in dissolution recycling to join the Task Force, fostering collaboration and innovation within the sector. Through shared expertise and research, the group aims to accelerate the development and adoption of this promising technology, contributing to more sustainable plastic waste management across Europe.
SK chemicals to Showcase Sustainable Solutions at CHINAPLAS 2025
SK chemicals will participate in CHINAPLAS 2025, held from April 15–17 at the Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Center, China. Recognized as Asia’s largest plastics and chemical exhibition, CHINAPLAS draws over 4,000 companies from around 150 countries under the theme “Transformation, Collaboration, Sustainability.”
Under the slogan “On-hand solution for sustainable tomorrow,” SK chemicals will present real-world sustainable materials already in commercial use, rather than future concepts. The company will highlight its advanced circular recycling technologies, especially chemically recycled materials developed through depolymerization, which breaks down plastics at the molecular level for reuse—maintaining the same quality and transparency as virgin materials. PLA Solutions
Key products include CLARO, used by L’Oréal and Estée Lauder; SKYPET CR, featured in Samdasoo bottles and Coldplay’s eco-vinyl; and ECOTRIA CR, used in CS Group’s interior tiles. SK chemicals will also display ECOZEN (bio-based, heat-resistant copolyester for food containers and baby products), and SKYGREEN (PETG known for clarity and chemical resistance).
Additional innovations include ECOTRION, a 100% bio-based polyol for spandex and synthetic leather, and SKYPEL, a versatile elastomer used in automotive and industrial applications.
President Ahn emphasized, “We’re proving that a circular plastic ecosystem is not a distant vision, but a tangible solution today.” The company aims to expand its eco-friendly impact through global partnerships and cutting-edge material innovations. PLA Solutions
Indorama to Divest PTA Plant in Portugal as Part of IVL 2.0 Plan
Indorama Ventures (IVL), the Thai petrochemicals group, has announced its decision to divest its purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Sines, Portugal. This move aligns with the company’s broader restructuring strategy under the IVL 2.0 plan, introduced last year.
The Sines facility, with an annual production capacity of 700,000 tonnes, was acquired in 2017 from Artlant PTA, along with associated utilities previously managed by Veolia. The plant was later rebranded as Indorama Ventures Portugal PTA (IVPPTA), with the utility services operating under Indorama Ventures Portugal Utility. PLA Solutions
According to IVL, the divestment follows a comprehensive review of the current market environment. Factors influencing the decision include high energy and raw material costs, persistent inflation, and increasing competition from lower-cost PTA imports. These challenges have placed considerable pressure on European production margins.
This latest divestment follows IVL’s 2023 announcement to cease PET and PTA operations at its Rotterdam complex in the Netherlands and to close its PTA plant in Montréal-Est, Canada. Together, these actions reflect the company’s efforts to streamline operations and improve cost efficiency across its global portfolio. PLA Solutions
Teijin Limited has announced that its biomass-derived polycarbonate (PC) resin is now being used by Sigma Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of photographic lenses and cameras, for parts of the lens barrels in its interchangeable lens cameras
Sigma’s interchangeable lenses featuring these barrels will be available within the first half of this fiscal year.
Teijin is showcasing Sigma’s lens barrels, molded from this sustainable biomass PC resin, at their booth (17K71) during Chinaplas 2025, taking place in Shenzhen, China, from April 15th to 18th. PLA Solutions
Sigma, a company founded in 1961 with all production based in Japan, is committed to reducing its environmental impact throughout its operations. This transition from petroleum-derived PC resin to Teijin’s biomass PC resin in their lens barrels is part of these sustainability efforts.
Teijin’s biomass PC resin, certified under ISCC PLUS using a mass balance approach, offers the same physical properties as conventional PC resins. This allows Sigma to seamlessly switch materials while enhancing the environmental profile of their products. Teijin aims to provide solutions that minimize environmental impact, supporting a sustainable future. The mass balance approach allows for tracking and attributing bio-based materials within the value chain.
A groundbreaking material has been developed that can regenerate lithium-ion batteries and significantly extend their lifespan
Created by a team of researchers at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this innovation may double the life of batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
Published in Nature, the study reveals that the new material addresses a key issue in battery aging—structural disorder caused by repeated charging cycles. As lithium batteries are used, thermal expansion occurs, leading to misalignment in atomic structures and declining performance over time. PLA Solutionsns
The researchers, led by Liu Zhaoping, discovered a material capable of precisely regulating thermal expansion. This allows the battery’s internal structure to be restored to near-original condition, effectively “rejuvenating” the battery. Test results showed a nearly 100% recovery of function, suggesting the batteries could endure far more charging cycles without losing efficiency.
Beyond just prolonging battery life, this breakthrough opens possibilities for developing self-repairing energy storage systems—potentially revolutionizing how electronic devices are built and maintained.
