Biodegradable plastic
CJ Biomaterials appoints Leah Ford as Director of Marketing
South-Korea based PHA manufacturer CJ Biomaterial has appointed Leah Ford as Director of Marketing.
Before joining CJ Biomaterials, Ford was global marketing and communications director at US-based NatureWorks, where she spent almost 20 years.
In her new role, Ford will lead strategic marketing for CJ Biomaterials to increase awareness and help drive growth in the company’s biodegradable biopolymers business.
“Working as a partner with CJ Biomaterials over the past two years during my time at NatureWorks, I was impressed by the organisation and the impact that PHA technology could have on the environment,” Ford said. Biodegradable plastic
“I look forward to the opportunity to educate the industry and consumers about the benefits of PHA, how it can help address critical environmental challenges, and help to drive meaningful change as the world shifts toward more sustainable, biodegradable solutions,” she added.
CJ Biomaterials entered the biopolymers market in the spring of 2022 with its PHACT brand, a portfolio of amorphous PHA grades. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear polyesters produced in living cells in nature through bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids. The raw materials for PHACT are sugars sourced from plants like sugar cane, tapioca, corn and cellulosic biomass.
CJ BIO can increase PHA content in microorganisms from about 5% default accumulation up to 85% through fermentation via engineered microbial strains. Biodegradable plastic
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Trinseo recently achieved a major milestone with the U.S. Patent Office’s approval of its dissolution-based polymer recycling technology in July 2024
This breakthrough highlights Trinseo’s commitment to sustainability and advances the potential for circular solutions in industries like toys, consumer electronics, and automotive. The patented process, which can be shared through licensing, allows for the efficient recovery of high-quality polymers from mixed or contaminated plastic waste.
Unlike conventional recycling, which requires precise sorting by polymer type and color, Trinseo’s dissolution approach can handle more diverse contamination levels.
By selectively dissolving specific polymers, it effectively separates them from additives and contaminants, preserving the polymer’s original properties for high-value applications.
This innovation supports a circular economy by broadening recyclable plastics and reducing dependence on new plastic production. Biodegradable plastic
Trinseo’s technology promises up to 80% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional manufacturing processes, as it eliminates fossil-based raw materials and minimizes waste incineration.
Trinseo’s Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, Han Hendriks, celebrated the patent as a key step toward circularity. “This patent is an exciting step forward,” Hendriks said, referencing other initiatives like the new PC-dissolution facility and upcoming ABS and PMMA recycling facilities in Europe. Together, these efforts contribute to a more sustainable, circular future in plastics. Biodegradable plastic
Fortum Recycling & Waste, a Finnish circular solutions company, has developed a biodegradable plastic derived entirely from carbon dioxide emissions captured at its waste incineration plant in Riihimäki, Finland
This innovation, part of Fortum’s Carbon2x program, represents a significant advance in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology, creating a new, sustainable raw material for the plastics industry and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Tony Rehn, head of the Carbon2x program, highlights that transforming CO2 into biodegradable plastic provides a superior, sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. Unlike traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods, which sequester CO2 without reuse, Fortum’s CCU approach closes the carbon loop by turning captured emissions into valuable products, advancing the circular economy. Biodegradable plastic
Rehn envisions broad applications for this biodegradable plastic in industries like food and cosmetics packaging, toys, and electronics. The Carbon2x program, piloted in 2022, aims to capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions from incineration and redirect them into products. This CO2-based plastic offers the same durability and flexibility as conventional plastics but decomposes harmlessly if it ends up in nature.
With Europe generating almost 100 million tons of non-recyclable waste each year, Fortum’s CO2-based plastics could transform the market by the decade’s end. The company’s new “plastics born from CO2” brand will launch in Europe in November 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable material production. Biodegradable plastic
Tzitzikostas’s statements stand in stark contrast to the realities facing European automakers
The EU’s 2030 CO₂ emissions targets seem increasingly unrealistic, while new, stricter limits will begin in 2025: 94 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, down from the current 116 grams. Consulting firm AlixPartners estimates fines between €28 and €50 billion for automakers failing to comply, potentially reaching €75 billion in the worst case. Achieving EU targets would require an electric vehicle share of 25% by next year, rising to 46% by 2030—”unrealistic,” according to Stefano Aversa, vice president of AlixPartners, given Europe’s current electric vehicle penetration rate. Biodegradable plastic
Without a policy delay, manufacturers face fines of €95 per excess gram per kilometer, per vehicle. Even if a spike in EV sales and decreased Chinese competition occurs, total fines would still reach about €28 billion. Aversa criticizes the EU’s approach, noting that recent tariffs on Chinese EVs could inadvertently harm the European market rather than protect it. Larger European automakers like Volkswagen, with bigger vehicle portfolios, are particularly vulnerable to penalties. Meanwhile, as Stellantis cuts traditional car production to favor EVs, Aversa calls these shifts “market distortions” not aligned with consumer interests, highlighting diesel’s efficiency over gasoline in CO₂ terms. Electric car sales in Europe reflect the strain, dropping 12.9% in October, with Stellantis experiencing the sharpest decline among major brands. Electric Cars
Belgian chemical company Syensqo has announced a restructuring plan that will impact approximately 300–350 jobs, primarily in France, the United States, Belgium, and Italy
Formed in 2023 as a spin-off from Solvay, Syensqo is realigning itself in response to industry-wide challenges facing the European chemical sector.
CEO Ilham Kadri shared the plan while presenting Syensqo’s Q3 2024 results, noting that the restructuring aims to adapt the organization to uncertain macroeconomic conditions and support long-term growth. Kadri emphasized that while layoffs are challenging, they will be handled with “dignity and empathy.” Biodegradable plastic
Alongside restructuring, Syensqo is advancing digital infrastructure to boost operational efficiency and agility. It also plans to complete the separation of business support activities from Solvay by the end of 2025, expecting to create hundreds of new roles in IT, infrastructure, and business intelligence.
In Q3, Syensqo’s revenue rose to €1.6 billion, up 2% year-over-year, driven by increased volumes in the Materials and Consumer & Resources segments. Composite materials showed particularly strong growth, with net revenues up 14%. EBITDA remained steady at €374 million, while net profit reached €162 million.Biodegradable plastic
Syensqo, employing nearly 13,000 people, specializes in polymer materials, composites, and divisions like Novecare and Aroma Performance. The company recorded €6.8 billion in net sales in 2023.
BYD, known in Europe for its electric cars, pioneered plug-in hybrid technology with the 2008 launch of the BYD F3DM
Since then, its DM-i (Dual Mode intelligence) system has evolved significantly. The latest fifth-generation DM-i system, debuting in Europe with the BYD Seal U DM-i, blends efficient electric driving with an advanced combustion engine for hybrid versatility.
The DM-i system is powered by the Xiaoyun 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, utilizing the high-efficiency Miller cycle with a compression ratio of 15:1, achieving a thermal efficiency of 43%. Biodegradable plastic
This engine’s innovative cooling system separately manages the cylinder head and engine block temperatures, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The electric drive components feature dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, which achieve efficiencies between 90-97% and are cooled by a dedicated oil system, further enhancing reliability and performance. The system includes proprietary Blade Battery technology, designed for safety and durability with a six-year warranty and over 5,000 charge cycles.
BYD’s hybrid architecture prioritizes electric efficiency, with the gasoline engine supporting longer drives when needed.
For the Seal U, this delivers a range over 1,000 km, with 70+ km in zero-emission mode and a fuel economy of around 15 km/l on a flat battery. The front-wheel-drive version provides 217 HP, while the all-wheel-drive model with 324 HP achieves 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, making it a versatile, low-consumption SUV. Biodegradable plastic
Decarbonized plastics – Citroniq Chemicals, LLC has chosen Falls City’s Mid-America Rail Campus in Nebraska for its groundbreaking decarbonized plastics facility, set to be the world’s largest of its kind 06-11-2024
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