Recycling- At the first meeting of security experts under the BRICS+ format in St. Petersburg, significant developments for cooperation between the emerging nations emerged 26-09-2024
Recycling
Crude Oil Prices Trend
Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime
California sues ExxonMobil over plastics, recycling
State Attorney General Rob Bonta claims the company has “engaged in a decades-long campaign of deception that caused and exacerbated the global plastics pollution crisis,” the state said in announcing the Sept. 23 legal action.
The 147-page lawsuit pulls no punches, coming out of the gate swinging at plastics and plastics recycling. Recycling
While only ExxonMobil is specifically named in the lawsuit at this point, the attorney general left a placeholder in the lawsuit, also naming unknown defendants who also allegedly violated the law. Those unnamed defendants will be added to the complaint once they are discovered, the lawsuit states.
ECI Group has signed a licensing agreement with Shaanxi Yanchang China Coal Yulin Energy & Chemical Co., Ltd. (YECC) to deliver a 150,000-ton-per-year copolymer plant using its proprietary hybrid reactor technology
YECC is a subsidiary of Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group, the fourth-largest oil producer in China, which operates extensive petrochemical facilities in Shaanxi Province.
The new plant will be located in Yangqiaopan, Jingbian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province. ECI Group’s technology will enable the production of 150,000 tons per year of LDPE, EVA, EBA, and other high-value copolymers, with the capability for future expansion in both capacity and product range. Recycling
Under the agreement, ECI Group will provide the technology license, process design packages, detailed design for the high-pressure system, and technical procurement services. They will also offer on-site technical support during installation, startup, and performance evaluation. Repsol will support ECI Group by providing extensive technical, operational, and commercial expertise, drawing on over 40 years of experience producing LDPE, EVA, and EBA polymers in Spain and Portugal.
ECI Group’s hybrid reactor technology, developed from the proven ICI autoclave technology, offers a wide range of high-pressure polyethylene products with exceptional efficiency, reliability, and flexibility. Recycling
This technology provides significant enhancements in product range, reliability, and scalability over the original ICI technology. It has been optimized using modern materials, design techniques, and industry best practices for construction, operation, and maintenance.
Since 2021, ECI Group has licensed plant capacities ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 tons per year, all based on their standardized design approach.
The agreement with YECC highlights the reputation and versatility of ECI Group’s hybrid reactor technology. Recycling
Freudenberg Enhances Coated Textiles Business with Heytex Acquisition
Purchase of key Heytex Group segments boosts technology platform and market presence
Freudenberg Performance Materials is set to expand its coated technical textiles division, Mehler Texnologies, by acquiring significant portions of the Heytex Group from private equity firm Bencis Capital Partners. This acquisition includes Heytex’s core operations, encompassing three production facilities in Germany and China, as well as all headquarters functions such as sales and research and development. Headquartered in Bramsche, Germany, Heytex Group is a global leader in high-quality, functional technical textiles. The segments being acquired generated approximately €100 million in sales last year and employed around 400 people. The transaction is pending approval from antitrust authorities. Recycling
“The acquisition of key parts of the Heytex Group perfectly complements our business in coated technical textiles. We are expanding our technology platform, market reach, and R&D capabilities, which will lead to more innovative solutions for our customers,” said Dr. Andreas Raps, CEO of Freudenberg Performance Materials and member of the Executive Council of the Freudenberg Group. “At the same time, we are gaining access to new, attractive product segments and strengthening our expertise in the field. Heytex operates worldwide and is an excellent fit for Freudenberg, as its success is built on foundations like innovation, customer orientation, and outstanding quality.” Recycling
By integrating Heytex’s assets, Freudenberg aims to leverage synergies and enhance its position in the global market for coated technical textiles, offering improved solutions and services to its customers.
Italian rubber and plastics machinery manufacturers are experiencing a slowdown due to a contracting industrial sector and economic challenges in Germany, according to trade association Amaplast
Following positive results in 2023, imports have consistently decreased in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, with declines reaching double-digit percentages in the second quarter.
This downturn reflects a reduced willingness to invest amid broader economic contraction, significantly impacting the industrial sector. In the second quarter, sales fell 12% year-on-year to €483 million, with noticeable declines in imports from key sources like Germany, China, and Austria. Recycling
Despite this, the first half of 2024 saw exports grow by 2.5% year-on-year to €1.73 billion. However, the period ended on a diminishing trend due to lower demand for various machinery and molds. Exports to Germany, traditionally a main partner, have been lackluster as the country deals with unfavorable economic conditions and political complications. Sales to the US, the second-largest export destination, have also slowed, reversing recent high trends.
Conversely, exports to Spain and Poland increased by 13% and 32% respectively, while demand in France remained stable. Significant growth was recorded in extra-EU markets such as Mexico (+26%), China (+36%), Turkey (+50%), India (+22%), and the UK (+24%). Overall, exports showed substantial growth towards the Far East, North America (excluding the US), extra-EU Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Recycling
Order trends are negative but vary across different technologies. After a particularly negative first quarter, slight signs of recovery have emerged in subsequent months. Due to a 6-9 month lag in export data because of delivery times, Amaplast anticipates a contraction in year-end results compared to 2023.
Poddar Pigments Innovative Masterbatch Solutions for PPand Polyester Nonwoven Fabrics
Poddar Pigments Ltd, a pioneer in the Indian Masterbatch industry, continues to lead the market with cutting-edge innovations. The company is known for its expertise in producing high-quality products including functional masterbatches for PP and Polyester nonwoven fabrics.
The launch of Polyester Non-woven masterbatches, which took place at the Nonwoven Asia Tech Exhibition, marks another milestone in the company’s journey toward offering sustainable and diverse solutions for the textile and plastics industries. Recycling
Ms. Madhuri Kothari, General Manager (Marketing) at Poddar Pigments, shares insights into this new development and the company’s future direction in an exclusive interview.
Masterbatches for PP and Polyester Nonwoven Fabrics
Poddar Pigments, headquartered in Chennai, has been at the forefront of the Masterbatch industry since its inception in 1994. Over the years, the company has diversified, supplying Masterbatches for a variety of applications, including nonwoven fabrics made from polypropylene (PP). The latest addition to their portfolio is the Masterbatch designed for nonwoven fabrics produced from polyester.
“We have been industry leaders in providing 500+colour shades for nonwoven fabrics made from polypropylene. Recycling
Now, we have developed a new range of colour shades for nonwoven fabrics made from polyester. As of now, we are offering around 50 distinct shades for this application,” Ms. Kothari said, explaining the latest innovation.
This new Masterbatch launch aims to cater to the growing demand for high-performance nonwoven fabrics with functional advantage, which are increasingly used in sectors such as healthcare, automotive, and home textiles. Recycling
At the first meeting of security experts under the BRICS+ format in St. Petersburg, significant developments for cooperation between the emerging nations emerged
Recycling