Plastics recycling – From old tires to new car parts: Neste, Borealis and Covestro aim at closing the loop for automotive industry 13-06-2024 - Arhive
Plastics recycling
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The world’s largest event dedicated to plastics recycling, the Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRS Europe), is set to take place at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands, from 19-20 June 2024
Attracting thousands of professionals from the entire plastics recycling value chain, PRS Europe will occupy four halls at the RAI and feature a record 480 exhibiting companies and organizations. The two-day conference boasts over 65 expert speakers who will delve into the latest political, legislative, market, and technological developments in plastics recycling. Werner Bosmans, Team Leader on Plastics at DG Environment, European Commission, will deliver the keynote address. Additionally, experts from leading brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel Consumer Brands, IKEA, Mars, P&G, and Reckitt will participate in discussions. Plastics recycling
Matt Barber, Global Events Director at Crain Communications, highlighted the event’s significance: “A record number of visitors have already registered, and over 155 companies are exhibiting for the first time. The global importance of this event makes it the prime venue to discover the latest in plastics recycling and network with key industry players.”
Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, emphasized PRS Europe’s role in the industry: “It’s the ideal platform to explore cutting-edge technical innovations, track commercial developments, and stay informed on the legislative landscape for plastics circularity.” Plastics recycling
Vecoplan has entered a strategic partnership with Pla.to Technology, emphasizing the significance of chemical recycling in the circular economy
Efficient shredding and cleaning of used plastics are crucial steps in this process. Chemical recycling allows for the reuse of complex plastic waste that cannot be processed through mechanical recycling, transforming it into raw materials for new plastics. This method helps reduce the consumption of fossil resources and minimizes environmental pollution from plastic waste. Plastics recycling
At IFAT, Vecoplan shared its long-term plans to enhance its expertise in chemical recycling. Pla.to Technology, based in Görlitz, is renowned for its durable and wear-resistant cleaning processes for economical plastic recycling and boasts 20 years of experience with established systems. This expertise forms the foundation of Vecoplan’s new strategic partnership in the cleaning sector.
Combining Vecoplan’s advanced knowledge in recyclable material processing with Pla.to’s extensive experience in cleaning processes, the partnership aims to provide customers with comprehensive processing solutions. Plastics recycling
The two companies have successfully coordinated their proven technologies through various tests over the past few years.
From old tires to new car parts: Neste, Borealis and Covestro aim at closing the loop for automotive industry
Neste, Borealis and Covestro have signed a project agreement to enable the recycling of discarded tires into high-quality plastics for automotive applications. The collaboration aims at driving circularity in plastics value chains and the automotive industry. When no longer fit for use, tires are liquefied by means of chemical recycling and then processed into base chemicals and further into polycarbonates of high purity.
These can then be used in various automotive applications, from parts of headlamps to radiator grilles. Plastics recycling
“Circularity requires cooperation, and this cooperation with our partners Neste and Borealis is testament to the possibilities at our disposal,” says Guido Naberfeld, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Market Development Mobility at Covestro. “We are creating options to turn discarded materials from cars into new car parts again. With that, we are supporting our automotive customers and addressing an increasingly prominent question discussed across the value chain: How to match high-performance materials with recycled content? Projects like this can be the answer.” Plastics recycling
As part of the collaboration, Neste turns liquefied discarded tires into a high-quality raw material for polymers and chemicals manufacturing and supplies it to Borealis.
Fraunhofer to investigate use of recycled plastics in demanding applications
The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability is looking for project partners to study the properties of recycled plastics under high-stress applications
The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability (LBF) wants to widen the applications of recycled plastic to technical, high-value applications. Such applications include plastic components for the automotive, commercial vehicle, or white goods industries, for example. Plastics recycling
Whilst the use of recycled plastic is already established in some applications, e.g. in the PET bottle sector, its use in demanding applications is still very limited. According to Plastics Europe, only 2% of recyclates currently end up in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
To change that, the Germany-based research institute is starting a new project called Design for Reliability and is looking for industrial partners to join its efforts from Aug. 1, 2024. Plastics recycling
CIDER project highlights rCF automotive door using Elium resin
European consortium develops novel processes, sustainable designs through three demonstrators to increase recycled carbon fiber use in transportation applications.
Arkema (Colombes, France), along with project partners (see below), have revealed a 100% recyclable and recycled composite door panel made using Elium resin under the flagship project CIDER (“Circular product Design for automotive components made from Recycled and sustainable composite material”). Plastics recycling
CIDER is combining applied research from various European companies and research institutes (see more below). Begun in August 2022, partners aim to substitute heavy steel-designed automotive parts for recycled carbon fiber (rCF) alternatives. This involves novel approaches into the design of semi-structural parts, in addition to improving their recyclability and better understanding their life cycle assessment.
The overall objective is the development of sustainable, recyclable and recycled composite materials for the transport sector. This will be achieved in developing three demonstrators over multiple life cycles of the fiber and polymer material. Plastics recycling
Gualapack’s ‘Less is More’ campaign, launched at Interpack 2023, has been honored with the 2024 Mediastars Award in the Press & Poster category, along with a Special Star for Graphic Design
The campaign emphasizes the lightness and essential features of flexible packaging, promoting reduced material use and lower environmental impact regarding waste and transportation.
The slogan “Less is More,” inspired by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, reflects the campaign’s core message. Plastics recycling
The visuals creatively exaggerate the packaging’s minimalism, portraying it as so lightweight it almost “disappears,” leaving the focus solely on the product itself. This highlights the importance of content over the container.
Designed by the communication agency Eclettica-Akura, the campaign debuted at the Interpack 2023 fair and has since been featured across various platforms, including the company’s website and in advertising pages. Plastics recycling
Olivia Erfurth, Global Marketing Manager of Gualapack, explains, “This campaign fully expresses our commitment to sustainable and lightweight packaging solutions. It was a bold choice to make our product ‘disappear’ in the visual, but it underscores the value of content over the container, aligning with the minimalist philosophy.”
Sinonus Unveils Energy-Storing Carbon Fiber
Swedish deep-tech startup Sinonus is launching an innovative energy-storing composite material to produce efficient structural batteries for IoT devices, drones, computers, larger vehicles, and airplanes.
Based in Borås, Sinonus has developed carbon fibers that serve as battery electrodes. CEO Markus Zetterström is spearheading the commercialization of this technology. Currently, Sinonus is replacing AAA batteries in low-power products within its lab, aiming to expand to larger applications. Plastics recycling
Carbon fiber can store energy electrochemically, enabling Sinonus to create carbon fiber-based structural batteries that not only store energy but also integrate into the product’s structure. This technology originated from Oxeon, another Chalmers Ventures portfolio company, whose carbon fiber was used in the propeller blades of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter on Mars due to its lightweight and thinness.
Weight reduction is also crucial for road vehicles, as most electric vehicles weigh nearly 50% more than regular cars due to lithium-ion batteries. Plastics recycling
Research at Chalmers University of Technology has shown that carbon fiber-based structural batteries could increase the driving range for lightweight EVs by 70%. Additionally, these batteries are safer than standard batteries, as they lack volatile substances.
Plastics recycling