Sustainability – Chile has inaugurated its first plant dedicated to producing beverage bottles from recycled plastic 02-09-2024
PET Bottle – Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) has initiated research on chemically recycling end-of-life tires (ELT) at its Kagawa Works facility, targeting the production of sustainable carbon black by March 2026
Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime
Zhengzhou Exchange Launches Bottle-Grade PET Resin Futures
The Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) in China has launched futures trading for bottle-grade Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin to better address the risk management needs of businesses. PET resin, primarily used for making mineral water bottles, plays a crucial role in daily life.
On the first day of trading, the bottle-grade PET resin futures saw a trading volume of 133,444 contracts, amounting to 13.17 billion yuan (approximately $1.86 billion USD). Six contracts were listed initially, with a benchmark price set at 6,850 yuan ($966 USD) per ton. Sustainability
Niu Yike, a manager at ZCE, highlighted that the introduction of these futures will complement existing polyester-related products, enabling better hedging and inventory management for enterprises, ultimately supporting the industry’s high-quality growth.
Since crude oil is the primary raw material for producing bottle-grade PET resin, its price volatility significantly impacts PET resin prices. Over the past three years, crude oil price fluctuations have exceeded 60%, severely affecting production and operations for companies like Zhejiang’s new material firm, as noted by senior executive Chen Canzhong. The seasonal variability in PET resin sales further complicates production, making the need for financial tools to manage market risks essential. Sustainability
In 2023, China produced 13.1 million tons of bottle-grade PET resin, consuming 7.56 million tons, which is 24% of global consumption. China is currently the world’s largest exporter of bottle-grade PET resin, with products reaching over 100 countries.
Lummus Wins Contract for Kazakhstan’s First Polyethylene Plant
Lummus Technology, a leader in process technologies and energy solutions, has secured a contract from Silleno LLP to provide an ethylene unit for Kazakhstan’s inaugural polyethylene plant. This plant, situated in the National Industrial Petrochemical Technopark in the Atyrau Region, is expected to significantly boost Kazakhstan’s economy by enhancing GDP, creating jobs, and stimulating local businesses. Sustainability
Leon de Bruyn, CEO of Lummus Technology, expressed pride in contributing to such a vital project, highlighting the company’s extensive experience in Kazakhstan. Lummus’ ethylene technology, essential for producing polyethylene, involves converting ethane from the Tengiz oil field into 1.3 million tons of ethylene annually. The technology also includes their Short Residence Time (SRT®) heaters and an olefins recovery system, which together enhance energy efficiency, lower costs, and reduce CO2 emissions by optimizing product yield and cutting equipment needs by 25% compared to traditional methods.
Lummus has been a dominant force in light olefins technologies, securing nearly half of the new projects since 2000 and licensing over 200 ethylene plants globally, representing around 45% of the world’s ethylene capacity. Sustainability
This project reinforces Lummus’ role in advancing Kazakhstan’s petrochemical and energy sectors.
Oerlikon Celebrates 20 Years Of E-Save — The Sustainability Program Of Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division
Over 15 million tons of CO2 savings in 20 years – that is the balance sheet of e-save – the sustainability program of today’s Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of manmade fiber plant technologies, the company has been developing, producing and launching its products and services with sustainability in mind since 2004: ‘Energy’ savings and ‘Efficiency’ of systems, machines and components, ‘Environment’ relief and improved ‘Ergonomics’ for optimal machine operation are the four e-save topics that have provided fiber and yarn manufacturers with significant added value in terms of economy, safety and process handling right from the start. Sustainability
The pioneers of today’s brands Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven were already true pioneers in terms of sustainability.
The e-save logo is awarded to components and machines from Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven that are significantly more sustainable than the market standard or predecessor models. Sustainability
Rising energy prices, scarce resources, an ageing society, a shortage of skilled workers and lower profit margins in many industries prove Oerlikon’s e-save mission right. For 20 years, the technology leader in manmade fiber production has been scoring points with significantly lower energy consump-tion compared to the market standard, the competition or its own predecessor models. Fiber and yarn manufacturers around the world appreciate this, as investments in new systems developed according to e-save criteria pay for themselves in a much shorter time.
Chile has inaugurated its first plant dedicated to producing beverage bottles from recycled plastic
Named Re-Ciclar, the facility is a $35 million joint venture between Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor.
The plant aims to recycle over 350 million bottles annually, incorporating food-grade recycled material into Coca-Cola’s packaging in Chile.
Equipped with advanced technology from Italy, Japan, and Austria, Re-Ciclar uses sustainable methods such as solar power and electric cranes. The facility is expected to generate 25,000 indirect jobs nationwide. It plays a key role in Coca-Cola’s initiative to increase recycled content in its bottles, targeting 15% recycled PET by 2025, with aspirations for 100% in the future. Sustainability
Economy Minister Nicolás Grau emphasized the plant’s significance in advancing Chile’s sustainable development and circular economy. Re-Ciclar collaborates with various stakeholders, including local governments and grassroots recyclers, making it one of Latin America’s most advanced recycling facilities.
The plant partners with the National Association of Recyclers of Chile, Latitud R, La Ciudad Posible, and citizens to collect around 10,000 tons of PET in 2024. The recycling process begins with individuals depositing bottles at recycling points, followed by collection, storage, and delivery to Re-Ciclar. There, bottles are cleaned, shredded, and processed into recycled resin pellets, which are then transformed into new beverage bottles, ready for consumers. Sustainability
Netstal Earns Silver in Ecovadis Sustainability Ranking
Netstal has achieved a silver rating in the Ecovadis sustainability assessment, placing it among the top 15% of companies evaluated globally over the past year. This recognition highlights Netstal’s commitment to improving environmental impact, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Sustainability
“We are proud of our silver medal, reflecting the strong emphasis we place on sustainability in our vision and corporate policies,” said Renzo Davatz, CEO of Netstal Group. He emphasized the company’s dedication to environmental and climate protection as well as safeguarding human rights.
Netstal has made significant strides, reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions by 17% and cutting water consumption compared to previous assessments. The company also optimized the tracking of Scope 3 emissions from downstream processes. “Understanding the CO2 emissions of our injection molding machines used by customers is crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and further reducing Scope 3 emissions,” noted Michael Rocholl, Head of Quality and Process Management. Sustainability
The Ecovadis ranking offers measurable insights into Netstal’s sustainability for both internal and external stakeholders. Rocholl added, “Ecovadis’s annual review deepens our understanding of our ESG framework and guides future focus areas. We have outlined additional measures to ensure even greater sustainability.”
Ecovadis is a globally recognized organization, providing trusted corporate sustainability ratings for over 130,000 companies worldwide.
Astra Polymers joins Alliance to End Plastic Waste
The masterbach manufacturer is the latest plastic company to commit to action on the ground to fight plastics pollution
The AEPW was founded in 2019 by industry members, including BASF, Chevron Phillips Chemical, ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Procter & Gamble and Shell. Members of the Singapore-based non-profit organisation commit to deliver impact on the ground to fight plastic pollution.
Founded in 1993, Astra Polymers specialises in producing masterbatch, dust-free additive system and custom-made thermoplastic compounds. With manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, India, and Morocco, they serve various applications, including extrusion and thermoforming. Sustainability
Sustainability