Sustainability – Stellantis recently announced that Fiat will be the first brand of the group to launch a hybrid-flex vehicle in the Brazilian market 21-10-2024
Sustainability
Packaging – SK Chemicals, a leading innovator in sustainable materials, has unveiled its latest product, “ECOTRIA CLARO 300,” a cutting-edge copolyester designed to boost recyclability and improve the performance of molded packaging
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Stellantis recently announced that Fiat will be the first brand of the group to launch a hybrid-flex vehicle in the Brazilian market
LYB completes acquisition of solvent-based recycling company APK
A group of employees stands inside APK AG’s factory in Merseburg, Germany, now part of LyondellBasell
- Ambition to further develop solvent-based recycling technology and bring to commercial scale
- Company secures future of employees and fosters expertise with full integration
- Plant to be transformed into post-consumer plastic waste recycling
LyondellBasell (LYB) today announced it became full owner of APK AG in Merseburg, Germany. APK will be fully integrated and continue as part of LYB, a sustainability leader in the chemical industry. Sustainability
It is LYB’s ambition to further develop the company’s unique solvent-based technology for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and build commercial plants in the future. This will enable LYB to produce new high-purity materials that can be used in applications like flexible packaging for personal care products, meeting the demands of customers and brand owners.
“We are excited to complete the acquisition of solvent-based recycling technology company APK, securing the future of more than a hundred employees and adding another solution for our customers to meet their circularity ambitions and goals,” says Yvonne van der Laan, LYB executive vice president of circular and low carbon solutions.
“This technology complements our excellent mechanical recycling technology, as well as our proprietary advanced recycling technology. We see this as a crucial addition to our portfolio on our journey to a circular economy, helping end plastic waste.” Sustainability
The new BPF recycling roadmap
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has recently released its new recycling roadmap, which includes the latest data and what the UK could achieve over the next ten years.
The document highlights how many of the changes mentioned in the previous edition have not been implemented. This is because of key policies and challenging economic circumstances. Achieving a recycling rate of 69% by 2030, as the first edition pointed out, will take longer than expected and require collective effort from the government, the industry and the public. Sustainability
The new edition stresses the need for more government support to increase investment in the UK’s recycling infrastructure, including mechanical and chemical recycling. The forecast outlines that the amount of material chemically recycled within the UK by 2030 is 200kT lower than the first roadmap predicted. However, the document notes that 400kT of chemically recycled materials is possible by 2035 if specific obstacles can be overcome. These include the need to clarify whether mass balance methodology is acceptable within the scope of the Plastic Packaging Tax. Sustainability
The forecast was created using a scenario-based approach. It outlines that a 70% reuse and recycling rate can be achieved by 2035, with an extra 23% of total plastic waste being mechanically recycled in the UK and 6% being chemically recycled. By then, 15% less plastic could be sent to energy recovery facilities and 13% of the UK’s total plastic waste could be reused. This would save one million tonnes of carbon (CO2e) emissions.
Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) is advancing its commitment to sustainability by investing in Alterra’s circular plastic process technology
This innovative approach converts discarded plastics into valuable resources, reducing landfill reliance and promoting a circular economy. CPChem’s funding, alongside other investors like Infinity Recycling and LyondellBasell, supports the commercialization of Alterra’s technology on a global scale. Sustainability
CPChem views this investment as a critical step in its broader sustainability efforts. “This partnership aligns with our mission to enhance the circular economy and end plastic waste by sustainably recycling plastics into new, valuable products,” said Benny Mermans, Vice President of Sustainability at CPChem.
Alterra also secured additional equity investments from Neste and Potenza Capital, bolstering its ability to deploy its technology globally.
By contributing to the development of advanced plastic recycling technologies, CPChem reaffirms its dedication to sustainable plastic management and innovative solutions that mitigate environmental impact. Sustainability
This collaboration reflects the growing industry momentum towards creating a sustainable future by reducing waste and transforming discarded plastics into resources that can re-enter the production cycle.
The European project BIOntier, funded by the Horizon – JU Innovation Actions program of the European Union, focuses on the development of advanced biocomposites for applications in the automotive and aerospace sectors
Stellantis, Faurecia, Maip and Bio On, together with 25 other participants from 12 countries, are collaborating to create recyclable, lightweight and sustainable materials.
Over the next three years, the goal is to create demonstration components for the automotive sector, such as semi-structural interior parts. Sustainability
The Maip Group, leader of task 3.3, is responsible for the production of polymer matrices and reinforcing fibers. Among the materials being developed are polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), biodegradable and compostable polymers of natural origin.
Bio On, with its plant in Castel San Pietro, supplies the PHA used in the compounds, while Maip adds additives and reinforcements to meet automotive standards. The integration of plant fibers will be essential to improve the sustainability of the materials, which aim for a biobased content of over 95%. Sustainability
BIOntier represents a crucial step for Maip in its vertical integration in PHA, also consolidated by the operational resumption of Bio On and the new compounding plant in Settimo Torinese. “The acquisition of Bio On and the technological advances confirm the commitment of the Maip Group to drive innovation and sustainability in the biopolymers sector”, says Eligio Martini, president of the group.
Sustainability
