Car interiors – LOHUM, ReElement & American Metals Come Together to Set up an Integrated Li-ion Battery Materials Processing Facility With an Investment North of $30M 01-10-2024
Car interiors
Recycling rate for plastics made by UK producers more than doubled in decade
The recycling rate for plastics made by big UK producers has more than doubled in a decade.
Environment Department (Defra) figures released on Thursday show that 2.3 million tonnes of plastic waste was recovered in 2023, of which 1.2 million was recycled – a rate of 52.5%.
It is more than twice the 25.2% of plastic recycled in 2021, when just 644,000 tonnes was recycled out of 2.6 million tonnes.
64.8%
Rate of packaging waste from UK producers recycled in 2023 (8.2 million out of 12.7 million tonnes) Car interiors
Environment Department
The figures cover waste from packaging producers that handle 50 tonnes or more and have a turnover of more than £2 million a year, and so come under regulations requiring them to ensure they recycle a certain amount of what they produce.
The last decade has seen a massive rise in activism against plastic production, waste and pollution as scientists continue to uncover the material’s severe impact on human health and the environment.
Meanwhile, successive governments and private sectors have also worked to improve rates through policies as well as advances in infrastructure and technology.
The official figures also showed the overall recycling rate for packaging waste in 2023, which encompasses paper, cardboard, glass, metals and wood as well as plastic.
Last year, of the 12.7 million tonnes of packaging waste from these producers, 8.2 million was recycled – a rate of 64.8%. Car interiors
This comes as an increase from 62.4% in 2022 and marks a consistent upward trend since 2014 when comparable data began.
Lenzing Group: Joint Venture LD Celulose Successfully Prices Green Notes
The Lenzing Group, a supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, announces that LD Celulose International GmbH (the “Issuer”), a wholly owned subsidiary of its Brazilian joint venture, LD Celulose S.A. (“LDC”), has successfully priced the offering of Green Notes in an aggregate principal amount of USD 650 million.
The Green Notes, which mature on January 25, 2032 and bear a coupon of 7.950 percent per annum, were met with high demand from institutional investors. Car interiors
Part of the new financing structure of LDC with a total value of USD 1 billion is also a syndicated term loan in the amount of USD 350 million. LDC intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, in addition to an amount equivalent to the proceeds from the disbursement under the term loan, and cash on hand, to permanently repay in full the existing financing agreements and to allocate an amount equivalent to the proceeds of the offering of the Notes to finance and refinance eligible investments in accordance with the Green Financing Framework. Car interiors
Asian PX price nosedives to below $900/mt
By the closing trading hours on Sep 2, CFR China PX price has nosedived to assess at $893/mt, down $38/mt on day, hitting the new low since Dec 2021 and recording the biggest daily drop since May 2023.
The main driver and logic behind the continuous price drop in PX since Aug has been mentioned in earlier reports on CCFGroup’s website.
Firstly, PMI was sluggish and commodity index was weak. During last weekend, the Aug official manufacturing PMI was released at 49.1%, down 0.3 percentage point from the month earlier, indicating the contraction of manufacturing sector. PMI is taken as the barometer to economic growth, playing a pivotal role in supervising, forecasting and waning the economic activities. Currently, the PMI below 50%, and it has been in contraction territory for the fourth consecutive month and hits new low in one and a half year, dealing a severe blow to market sentiment. Car interiors
After the release of PMI which is lower than expected, China commodity futures market declined sharply on Sep 2 in tandem. Wenhua Commodity index slumped as well, by a whopping 2.09% throughout the day, recording the biggest daily drop in more than one year. Commodity market confidence was crippled amid the sluggish economic backdrop, which dragged down PX and PTA prices. Car interiors
Volkswagen is advancing sustainability by partnering with German start-up Revoltech GmbH to introduce 100% organic hemp-based materials, known as LOVR, for car interiors
As the automotive industry seeks eco-friendly solutions to reduce environmental impact, hemp emerges as an ideal alternative to traditional leather. It is a renewable resource that requires minimal water and pesticides to grow and absorbs more carbon dioxide than many trees. Car interiors
The decision to use hemp is guided by three main factors:
- Sustainability: Hemp is a natural, organic material that can be cultivated without harmful pesticides. At the end of its lifecycle, it is easily recyclable or compostable.
- Innovation: LOVR is a pioneering material in the automotive sector, offering a pleasing aesthetic and a soft touch, enhancing the overall customer experience.
- Scalability: Production of LOVR can be integrated into existing industrial processes, allowing for rapid scaling and mass production. Car interiors
This collaboration exemplifies how established companies and innovative start-ups can unite to develop groundbreaking sustainable solutions. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Volkswagen, stated, “We are very open to new ideas from many different sectors. In Technical Development, we focus on innovative, creative, and sustainable solutions for holistic vehicle development that conserve resources.”
Introducing hemp interiors marks a significant step toward a greener future. Customers have responded positively to the material, appreciating its combination of sustainability, aesthetics, and innovation. Volkswagen’s initiative not only reduces environmental impact but also positions the company at the forefront of sustainable automotive innovation. This partnership demonstrates how collaborative efforts can lead to surprising results and contribute to a more sustainable future for all. Car interiors
LOHUM, ReElement & American Metals Come Together to Set up an Integrated Li-ion Battery Materials Processing Facility With an Investment North of $30M
LOHUM, ReElement & American Metals Come Together to Set up an Integrated Li-ion Battery Materials Processing Facility With an Investment North of $30M
American Resources Corporation shares a milestone move: India’s largest producer of sustainable critical minerals LOHUM Cleantech Ltd has signed an MOU with U.S. pioneers in modular, adaptable, and circular magnet-grade & battery-grade mineral processing technology – ReElement Technologies Corporation and American Metals LLC. The MOU marks the companies’ initiation of a Joint Venture for establishing United States’ first fully integrated battery recycling, repurposing, and critical material production facility. The 15.5 GWh facility will be set up with an initial investment of US$30 Million, and lead to the creation of 250 green jobs. Car interiors
The partnership is expected to initially supply over 315,000 electric vehicles annually with continued growth based on feedstock availability.
The integrated end-to-end battery & critical minerals lifecycle management facility will host the entire value chain from battery cell testing and segregation for second-life energy storage applications to recycling, mineral refining, engineered materials, and battery-grade products. The facility will produce critical materials with purity levels greater than 99.5%, which can then circulate in the U.S. domestic battery ecosystem. Car interiors
The initial operating location will be at the Marion Advanced Technology Center in Indiana, and expand to other locations as determined by the joint venture parties.
Asahi Kasei launches Lastan flame-retardant nonwoven for EV battery packs
Optimal protection against flames and particle blasts, the oxidized acrylic fiber material is suitable for various EV battery pack components to protect against thermal runaway events.
Asahi Kasei has introduced a novel material solution for enhanced electric vehicle (EV) battery safety. A flame-retardant and highly flexible nonwoven fabric, Lastan is well suited for use in top covers, busbar protection sleeves and other applications within the EV battery pack to protect against thermal runaway. As an oxidized acrylic fiber, Lastan can also be laminated into a composite surface layer. Car interiors
Although EVs are becoming more common worldwide, battery safety is still a major concern for many car users. In this context, there is increasing demand for materials in EV battery cover applications that offer optimal resistance against flames and particle blasts, as well as good electrical insulation properties. While mineral-based materials are generally used as protection against thermal runaway at present, such materials tend to be heavy and brittle. Car interiors
According to Asahi Kasei, these stiff materials are difficult to adapt to complex shapes, making processability an issue for automotive OEMs.
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