Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes 02-09-2022 - Arhive

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Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

-Infrared makes PET greener in Brazil

Brazilian recycler Global PET expands production with a 4th infrared dryer from Kreyenborg.

Recycled food-grade PET is booming in Brazil. According to a recently published official study, the nominal capacity for PET recycling in the country is around 400,000 tons per year (t/year). From which, about 140,000 t/year are from the only recovered thermoplastic that is approved in the country for direct contact with food and beverages (except mineral water), according to Irineu Bueno Barbosa, Jr., partner and commercial director of recycler Global PET. With its production having increased 60% since 2017, Global PET shows how hungry the market is for recycled food-grade PET.

An important reason for this growth within the last five years for the Sao Paulo-based company has been the introduction of infrared technology (such as the IRD from the German machine builder Kreyenborg) into their existing lines. With Kreyenborg’s system, PET flakes are heated, dried, and crystallized before extrusion.

“We intensively compared conventional heating and drying technologies with that of infrared light some years ago. At the end of that study, the advantages of the IRD were clear, when compared to systems that work without pre-drying before extrusion,” concludes Barbosa, Jr. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

When Global PET first purchased Kreyenborg’s IRD, the recycler produced 1,500 t/month. “A year later, in 2018, we started up the second IRD and expanded production to 2,500 t/month. With the delivery of the third rotary drum in the second half of the year, we will move to 3,500 t/month of food-grade recycled PET,” Barbosa, Jr. said. With the 4th IRD purchased this year, Global PET forecast an increase in the production capacity to 4,500 t/month. Global PET does not cite a return on investment, but he says that the gains made with Kreyenborg’s controlled and clean process come from savings in maintenance and energy consumption, compared to alternative systems. “We chose the IRD system to crystallize, dry and preheat post-consumer bottle flakes prior to the extrusion phase, resulting in a very fast process of 15-to-20-minutes,” explains Barbosa, Jr.

Improving the manufacturing and physical properties of recycled, food-grade PET through technology powered by infrared light has a crucial part to play in the intrinsic viscosity (IV) property, explains Marcus Vogt, sales manager of Kreyenborg’s plastics division. “Pre-crystallization and drying of the flakes prior to extrusion helps minimize the loss of IV from PET, a critical factor for reuse of the resin for further processing of the recycled pellets,” Vogt says. “Reprocessing the flakes in the extruder reduces IV due to hydrolysis in the presence of water, and that’s why pre-drying to a homogeneous drying level with our IRD systems can limit this reduction. In addition, the resin does not yellow because drying time is reduced, and shearing in the extruder is thereby also reduced because the preheated material enters the extruder at constant temperature.”

With their infrared systems, Kreyenborg has supported many companies in South America. For those with existing extrusion lines without FDA approval, Kreyenborg also offers an attractive retrofitting solution with the system IR-Clean, which produces food-grade flakes with FDA approval before the extrusion process. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

Infrared makes PET greener in Brazil

-Gabriel-Chemie launches new CO2-reduced white Masterbatch

Gabriel-Chemie has been producing its well-known quality masterbatch under the brand name “Maxithen” since 1970. As a supplement to the “Maxithen” products, the company recently presented its new sustainable product lines “MaxiLoop” and “MaxiBlue”. At the same time, Gabriel-Chemie presents new white premium masterbatch with a 10% reduced CO2 footprint. The formulations have been optimised, raw materials with a reduced carbon footprint are used and now offer customers a product to reduce their carbon footprint. For the resource-saving production of the CO2-reduced white, 100% energy from renewable sources is used at the Austrian site, which consists, among other things, of self-generated electricity from our own photovoltaic system. This represents a serious alternative without having to compromise on performance, functionality or application. An EU and FDA approval enables the CO2-reduced white to be delivered worldwide and to provide further sustainable solutions for customers.

As Nicole Ziegler, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Manager at Gabriel-Chemie, states: “As a company in the plastics industry, we are aware of our great responsibility. Under the umbrella of “GC Sustainable Solutions” we have developed resource-saving and climate-friendly alternatives to conventional products of fossil origin. In doing so, we are taking account of the increasing demands of our customers, who are paying more attention to the CO2 footprint of their products, but do not want to accept any compromises in terms of function.” Martin Horvath, Corporate Product Manager at Gabriel-Chemie adds: “As an experienced masterbatch supplier of system solutions, we are proud of our new developments. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

Gabriel-Chemie launches new CO2-reduced white Masterbatch

-Antalis develops foam profiles with recycled content

Antalis Packaging has developed new foam profiles that it says are made from 100% recycled content and are fully recyclable.

According to Antalis, foam profiles are an essential material when packaging delicate or sharp goods. However, the company says it is a challenge to find foam profiles that are both effective and sustainable, an issue it is aiming to address with its new range of profiles.

Antalis says its new foam profiles are available in an ocean green colour and provide corner and edge protection for many different applications. The flexible, shock-absorbent profiles reportedly mould around delicate edges to protect them from damage caused by knocks and drops. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

The company adds that the foam profiles are also dust and odour free, leaving no residue on goods.

At the end of their use, the foam profiles are fully recyclable, according to Antalis. The company says that, as the foam profiles are made from 100% recycled content, they are exempt from the UK’s new Plastic Packaging Tax.

Ian Whitcombe, packaging product manager at Antalis, comments: “We’re continually working with our suppliers to source and develop new products that will help our customers meet their sustainability goals. We’re delighted to add this great range of sustainable foam profiles to our portfolio – and it’s another product that is Plastic Packaging Tax-exempt, so it offers cost-saving benefits to customers, too.”

Recycled-content - CO2 - PLA - Microbes

-Hungary seeks increased gas supplies from Gazprom

Hungary will continue talks with Russia on additional gas supplies and expects to reach a deal with Gazprom to boost supplies further from next month, as per Hellenicshippingnews.

Szijjarto met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow last month, seeking 700 million cubic metres of gas on top of an existing long-term supply deal with Russia. Gazprom started to increase gas supplies to Hungary this month, adding to previously agreed deliveries via the Turkstream pipeline. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

“Like it or not, we will continue talks with the Russians about increasing gas shipments to Hungary,” Szijjarto told a business meeting. “There is an offer to increase gas shipments, we will finetune that with Gazprom in the next few days, and we will sign an agreement under which we could get increased daily shipments.”

Szijjarto did not give any details about volumes or prices. Hungary’s reserves stored 3.25 billion cubic metres of gas as of Aug. 1, more than 51% of total storage capacity, based on data from the national energy regulator.

Under a deal signed last year, before the start of the war in neighbouring Ukraine, Hungary receives 3.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with Russia and a further 1 bcm via a pipeline from Austria. The agreement with Gazprom is for 15 years.

Recycled-content - CO2 - PLA - Microbes

-Protection from microbes gives plastic products a longer life

Plastics, like other materials, are constantly exposed to the environment where they are located and, depending on the surrounding conditions, a broad array of microbes can exist on their surfaces, said Sustainableplastics.

This can potentially lead to a range of problems, from unpleasant odours to deterioration, that affect the sustainability of both virgin and recycled plastics in products. Whatever the industry, incorporating built-in antimicrobial additives into plastics to help reduce the growth of microorganisms and odours is one way to offer long-lasting product protection and sustainability. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

Plastics are everywhere in our lives and, due to their versatility, have replaced steel in cars, paper in packaging, and wood in furniture. Its revolutionary discovery has led to the development of diverse, flexible and cost-effective materials that have influenced fashion and style, and made previously unattainable products available to all, from everyday necessities to once-in-a-lifetime luxuries. The demand for plastics is therefore continuing to skyrocket. However, single-use, disposable plastics have a long, none too complimentary history, with a bad reputation for posing environmental threats, from being pervasive in landfills and causing toxic pollution, to contributing to global warming and natural resource depletion.

Consequently, pressures from governments and consumers to offer more environmentally friendly plastic solutions are forcing a rise in demand for more durable, reusable or recyclable plastic products that result in less waste. However, plastic surfaces can sometimes succumb to the build-up of bacteria, moulds and mildew, leaving unpleasant odours and an unattractive appearance. This problem is exacerbated by reusing plastics that may already have been affected by microorganisms, for example, in storage containers, bottles and packaging used for products such as food, drinks and cosmetics.

Recycled-content - CO2 - PLA - Microbes

-Two joint ventures in the PLA

Made up of LG Chem and ADM

LG Chem is collaborating with Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) to spearhead two joint ventures, GreenWise Lactic and LG Chem Illinois Biochem, and push towards the commercial production of bioplastics.

With ADM providing their processing technology and agricultural supply chain and LG Chem their development of plant-based materials, it is hoped that the projects will result in enough pure lactic acid to produce polylactic acid (PLA) on a commercial scale, as well as using it to develop a number of high value-added biomaterials.

Based in Los Angeles, GreenWise Lactic is set to produce an estimated total of 150,000 tons of high-purity, corn-based lactic acid every year. Subsequently, LG Chem Illionois Biochem aims to produce 75,000 tons of bioplastics, or 2.5 billion 500ml bioplastic water bottles, every year – a figure that hopes to match an annual 22.7% rise in demand.

Construction of the production facility is set to begin in 2023 in Decatur, Illinois, and is expected to be completed in late 2025 or early 2026. LG Chem is said to be the first Korean company to build a PLA plant with integrated production capacities ranging from raw materials to the final product. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

ADM CEO Juan R. Luciano said, “Sustainability is one of the enduring global trends that is powering ADM’s strategy and growth.

“We’re pleased to expand our collaboration with LG Chem, and we’re planning to take the next growth step, greatly expanding our ability to meet growing demand for plant-based solutions.”

Hak Cheol Shin, chief executive at LG Chem, added, “The establishment of this joint venture is a sustainable growth strategy that can directly contribute in solving environmental issues such as climate change and waste plastics.

“Based on eco-friendly materials, which is an axis for new growth engines, we will respond to the rapidly changing market and customers, while becoming a market leader.”

Recycled-content - CO2 - PLA - Microbes

-LG Chem to Build Fourth Carbon Nanotube Plant

The new 3,200-tonnes/year plant is slated to begin operation in 2024. Carbon nanotube demand has been growing rapidly, particularly for electric vehicle battery materials.

LG Chem is expanding its investment in carbon nanotubes (CNT) with the construction of the world’s largest single-line CNT manufacturing plant. The new plant is part of LG Chem’s initiative to gain a more competitive edge in the rapidly growing global CNT market focused on electric vehicle (EV) battery materials. Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

The new facility will be LG Chem’s fourth CNT plant, following its 1,200-tonnes/year Plant 3, whose construction commenced early this year with start-up slated for 2023, and 1,200-tonnes/year Plant 2, which has been operational since 2021. The new plant will be built in LG Chem’s Daesan Complex, located 80 kilometers southwest of Seoul, with construction commencing in the first half of next year and operation beginning in the second half of 2024.

CNT is a next-generation material offering the equivalent level of electricity and thermal conductivity as copper and diamond and 100 times the strength of steel. Due to its excellent properties that surpass existing materials, CNT has a range of applications in batteries, semiconductor wafer trays, automotive components, and surface heating elements.

Structural composites among growth areas

The global CNT conductive additive market is expected to grow by 30% to $2.3 billion, with CNT demand increasing from 5,000 tonnes in 2021 to 70,000 tonnes by 2030. The overall multiwall CNT market is forecast to grow from $5.25 billion in 2021 to $10.74 billion in 2028, according to market analyst Insight Partners. Structural composites and concrete additives are among the applications earmarked for growth in its report, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Forecast to 2028 – COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Application.

The 3,200 tonnes of CNT to be produced annually at Plant 4 will contribute to LG Chem’s total carbon nanotube production capacity of 6,100 tonnes/year across four plants. LG Chem has been operating CNT plants since 2017, starting with the 500-tonnes/year CNT Plant 1, and has been constructing new plants every year since 2020 to meet growing demand.

LG Chem to Build Fourth Carbon Nanotube Plant

-Some Carmakers Say Recycling Car Parts Is the Future. But Is It Realistic?

“Circular manufacturing” has the promise to reduce waste by reusing parts to make new cars. There are glimmers of hope, but they are currently outweighed by challenges.

This article is part of our series on the Future of Transportation, which is exploring innovations and challenges that affect how we move about the world.

Car tailpipes belch out an estimated 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide yearly, but cars begin to pollute long before they ever hit the road. And they continue to pollute long after they are junked. They begin to use energy and emit carbon through extraction and production of the steel, rubber, plastics, glass, lithium and leather used to build them. When scrapped, they molder in junkyards, emitting chlorofluorocarbons, and dripping oils and acids that are a hazard to groundwater.  Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

Now scientists, environmentalists, policymakers and car manufacturers are advancing an idea that could change that. An industrial concept called “circular manufacturing” aims to break the cycle of take, make, use and toss, by building cars whose components can be endlessly reused to make new cars.

The idea is new enough that there is no standard definition — there isn’t even an agreed-on name. It’s variously called circular manufacturing, the circular economy or manufacturing in a circular economy. Nevertheless, circular manufacturing is part of the European Green Deal, which establishes the groundwork for new regulations for car companies.

Although the idea is barely past the conceptual stage, car companies are already rushing to claim circular superiority. “GM Technology is a leader in Circular Economy,” crowed a 2020 news release. BMW, Ford, Toyota, Tesla and others have also made claims on the circular future. Industry observers caution that, for now, the circular economy’s chief value may be public relations.

Some Carmakers Say Recycling Car Parts Is the Future. But Is It Realistic?

Recycled-content – CO2 – PLA – Microbes

PEF – Plastics-waste-recycling 01-09-2022