Ineos Styrolution And Sinopec Announce Joint Venture For Abs In China

•  … to serve rapidly growing markets in China
•  Annual production of 1.2 million tons ABS

As part of the overall cooperation between INEOS and Sinopec1, the two organisations today announce the formation of a 50/50 Joint Venture to produce and sell ABS2. The Joint Venture will build production of 1.2 million tonnes of ABS to supply the rapidly growing domestic market in China.

The world-scale ABS plant in Ningbo3, which is currently under construction by INEOS Styrolution and planned to become operational in 2023, will become part of the new Joint Venture. This will provide a strong cornerstone in an organisation that is poised to become an ABS leader in China.

Steve Harrington, CEO INEOS Styrolution, comments: “INEOS Styrolution has come a long way from being a Joint Venture itself in its early years. After acquisitions and investing into new green-field production sites, setting up this Joint Venture with a strong partner in China feels like the natural next step for growth. We entered China with our first local production sites in 2019. The collaboration with Sinopec allows us to continue to grow in China in fast-
forward mode.”

Rob Buntinx, President APAC at INEOS Styrolution, adds: “We are particularly excited that our Terluran ABS is the basis for this cooperation. While INEOS Styrolution contributes to the Joint Venture with technology, customers, and market expertise, Sinopec provides feedstock integration, and an unequalled network in China. We are looking forward to the collaboration with Sinopec. A one-off opportunity to accelerate our growth ambitions in Asia.”

Wealth In Waste:india’s Potential To Lead Circular Textile Sourcing

Today Fashion for Good releases“wealth In Waste: India’s Potential To Bring Textile Waste Back Into The Supply Chain” a first-of-its-kind study, and the most comprehensive analysis of the Indian textile waste landscape. With global fibre-to-fibre recycling increasing, India is in a unique position to leverage existing infrastructure and resources to emerge as a leader in capturing waste, implementing new sorting and recycling technologies, and reintroducing its textile waste back into the global market, securing its role as the leading circular sourcing region.

“Advanced recycling technologies are at the cusp of closing the textile-to textile recycling loop. The resources and materials are available, yet the infrastructure and systems to source and provide higher quality feedstock fall short. With mounting pressure to reduce reliance on virgin sources and decarbonise the industry, what can be reused, must be reused to its full potential.” — Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good

Commissioned by Fashion for Good as part of the Sorting for Circularity; India Project, the study was conducted in collaboration with Sattva Consulting, Saahas Zero Waste and Reverse Resources, specialist organisations in strategic impact, waste, resource and data management, and the scaling of textile recycling infrastructures.

To enable an effective transition towards circularity, “WEALTH IN WASTE: THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIA TO BRING TEXTILE WASTE BACK INTO THE SUPPLY CHAIN” attempts to fill the data gaps that exist in the textile waste landscape in India. By building a better understanding across three key streams, domestic post-consumer waste, pre-consumer waste and imported waste, and by mapping stakeholders, geographical flows and recognising challenges in the current infrastructure, the study aims to help ecosystem players to orchestrate actions and devise solutions and mediate accordingly.

“The industry stands to gain a clear map of the textile waste value chain in India, armed with a robust set of recommendations for action. This now forms a strong basis to move forward collaboratively to scale the investments, infrastructure and innovation needed to make circularity in fashion a reality in India.” — Anita Chester, Managing Director at Laudes Foundation, India

Unlocking Potential: The Opportunity For Indian Players
Up to 7800 kilotonnes of textile waste is accumulated in India annually; the largest share of which, an estimated 51%, originates from Indian consumers – post-consumer waste, with factory waste and offcuts – pre-consumer waste, amounting to 42%, followed by imported waste that contributes a further 7%. India’s textile waste accounts for 8.5% of the global total; only 59% of the textile waste in India finds its way back into the textile industry through reuse and recycling, with a mere fraction making it back into the global supply chain

A lack of strict regulation, informal, and in some cases non-existent, traceability systems, excessive cost competitiveness and limited technological infrastructure to process certain waste types, has limited the potential of circular value chains so far. Detailing the bottlenecks in the current processing of waste, the study identifies materials that can be ranked according to their best potential through a waste value hierarchy framework as well as actions that can push the materials up the hierarchy in the future.

Outlining the potential for collaborative and systemic interventions to fortify circularity in the Indian textile waste industry and reintroduce it into the supply chain, the study presents a three-step approach to driving this transition;

1. enabling visibility and access to waste,
2. harnessing recycling potential of India, and
3. establishing systems, infrastructure and regulations for waste management.

Mobilising An Industry
Wealth In Waste: India’s Potential To Bring Textile Waste Back Into The Supply Chain”was presented and launched in New Delhi on July 27, during an industry focused event in collaboration with Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). The event brought together key players and changemakers from across the value chain to present the study, and featured a panel discussion with industry leaders from Birla Cellulose, PVH Corp. and AEPC to discuss the findings and actions for the industry to implement.

Mondi And Fiorini International Team Up To Develop New Fully Recyclable Paper Packaging For Premium Pasta

• Mondi and converter Fiorini International have collaborated to create a new paper packaging solution for Antico Pastificio Umbro, an Italian manufacturer of premium pasta products.
• The new packaging is completely recyclable and when rolled out across the full pasta range will eliminate up to 20 tonnes of plastic every year.
• Providing strength and style, the appealing packaging even features a paper window allowing the consumer to see the products.
• The innovative pasta packaging was included in The Waste Age Exhibition hosted by the London Design Museum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which ran between October 2021 and February 2022.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, in partnership with Fiorini International, a world leading converter and packaging producer based in Italy, has successfully created and launched a new fully recyclable paper packaging for a premium Italian pasta brand.

Following a complete overhaul of its packaging design, Antico Pastificio Umbro decided to combine the expertise of Mondi and Fiorini International to design and produce a paper bag with a viewing window for its premium pasta ranges. After the complete roll out, this new packaging solution will support the company’s sustainability goal of reducing plastic by saving up to 20 tonnes of plastic per year.

The successful partnership between Mondi and Fiorini International has resulted in an innovative paper bag design with a large window made of transparent, recyclable and biodegradable cellulose that allows the end user to see the contents. Thanks to the paper selected by Mondi and Fiorini International, the bag is fully recyclable while offering the same protective properties as the previous plastic packaging. The pasta has the same shelf life and is kept safe during transport. A new closure system sealed with a special food contact hot-melt glue, together with a reinforced patch on the bottom, improves hygiene and ensures easy opening. Made from renewable resources, the packaging can be easily disposed of by consumers in existing paper waste streams. The high paper recycling rates in Europe of over 80% mean that paper that has reached the end of its life can contribute to a circular economy. The new pasta bag offers superior printability so that all brand and product messages can be communicated effectively and it has great runnability on filling machines.

The groundbreaking packaging was included in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Upstream Innovation Guide to Packaging Solutions, published in November 2021. It was also part of The Waste Age Exhibition, hosted by the London Design Museum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which was open to the public between October 2021 and February 2022. Here it was recognised as an innovative example of substitution for better recyclability, an approach that is in line with the Foundation’s vision for a circular economy for plastics.

Massimiliano Scottà, Head of Sales Region South & America Kraft Paper, Mondi says: “We used our customer-centric EcoSolutions approach to develop this recyclable packaging and worked very closely with Fiorini International and Antico Pastificio Umbro. This is a great example of best practice in creating packaging that keeps materials in circulation and contributes to Mondi’s MAP2030 sustainability target to make 100% of its products reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. In addition, we are delighted to have been part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and London Design Museum’s Upstream Innovation installation, which is about rethinking packaging and developing solutions that are sustainable by design: This means focusing on the purpose while optimising the material and even changing it completely if necessary, as with this new paper bag for pasta.”

Pietro Fiorini, Sales Director Packaging Division at Fiorini International, explains: “Ethical and environmental responsibility are the values that lead the daily activities in Fiorini International. These same values, together with research on market trends, innovative technologies and a qualified manufacturing system, have been the key elements we used in this exciting project of transformation. We designed, together with Mondi, the best performing paper solution for the pasta bag. We are proud to be part of a sustainable mission and we know that this requires a systematic and cooperative approach among stakeholders in the supply chains, from producer to consumer. This includes involving consumers in initiatives to raise awareness of sustainable consumption and lifestyles, providing them with appropriate information about packaging. The partnership with Pastificio Umbro is a successful pilot project where Fiorini International’s experience, research, innovation and technology have defined a sustainable production model perfectly integrated within a brand strategy and a common mission.”

Leonardo Faccendini, CEO Antico Pastificio Umbro, concludes: “Reducing the environmental impact of our products – their manufacture, packaging and transport – is a top priority for us as a company, and replacing traditional plastic packaging with paper is a major step towards achieving this goal. We are investing in new systems and a plant and are plan to roll out this plastic-free packaging across our entire pasta range.”

Ineos Styrolution Sells Its Entire Equity Interest In Ineos Styrolution India

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, announced today that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of its entire shareholding interest in INEOS Styrolution India to Shiva Performance Materials.

Upon completion of the transaction, Shiva Performance Materials will acquire INEOS Styrolution’s 61.19% equity interest in INEOS Styrolution India.

Steve Harrington, CEO INEOS Styrolution, comments: “The business continues in Shiva Performance Materials’ experienced hands, serving the existing customer base and seeking future growth potential to enhance the Company’s current position in the Indian market”.

The transaction triggers a mandatory tender offer (MTO) and the completion is subject to fulfillment of customary conditions.

Müller + Sohn Opts For Moulds From Fb Mold Design With Standard Mould Components And Hot Runner Technology From Hasco

Injection moulding tools with difficult demoulding techniques are a speciality of the Warburg/Germany based mouldmaker, FB Mold Design. Its day-to-day work includes all
kinds of complex demoulding operations such as the removal of collapsible cores and internal sliding elements.

For Managing Director, Felix Blume, the company motto “A passion for moulds is particularly relevant. ;For us, the important thing is not just to sell moulds," says the trained mouldmaker, "but also to look after our customers in all aspects, to help solve their problems and to make just about anything possible.”

Even if FB Mold Design is a relatively young company, they can look back on more than 25 years of experience in mouldmaking. Father Frank Blume, adds: “We operate mainly in the
fields of packaging, medical technology, aviation, white goods and in the furniture industry.The firm builds injection moulding tools for applications in formats from 100 x 100 to 1200 x 1000 mm, in many cases with a hot runner connection. Moulding tools for demanding high- temperature plastics such as PEI and PEEK, filled or fibre-reinforced, are also part of the portfolio.

At FB Mold Design, all the moulds are designed in the company own design department, where the company uses predominantly standard mould components and hot runner
technology from HASCO. "We enjoy working together with HASCO because, quite simply, everything comes out absolutely right," says Felix Blume. "I cannot recall any complaints. And if there are special challenges to be mastered, the HASCO experts Volker Wittmer/Technical Sales Engineer Hot Runner and Klaus Meier/Technical Sales Engineer Mould Base generally come up with good and innovative ideas."

For hot runner technology, the company is always pleased to call on the expertise of Volker Wittmer. In this field, use is made of special individual nozzles as well as screwed, ready-to- assemble multi-cavity systems. “To supplement this,” explains Volker Wittmer, “we also provide support with flow analysis. In the specific case of a washing basket for hospitals for
its customer Müller + Sohn Kunststofferzeugnisse, based in Twistetal/Germany, the specialists devised an optimum connection via a needle valve system in the form of a
cascade of five hot runner nozzles. The result of the flow analysis was discussed with FB Mold Design and the customer was convinced.

The Mould Base division supplies not only latch locking devices, round latch locking units, two-stage ejectors, but also numerous other standard mould units, as well as stack moulds, with which we have been able to help determine the corresponding breakaway torques, adds Klaus Meier.

“We attach great importance to using only quality steel from Germany”, explains Felix Blume. In most cases, we through-harden mould parts, and also use 3D-forged materials." Klaus Meier adds: "There is now a significant trend towards pre-hardened steel, because we can save the hardening process as well as a considerable amount of energy.

Herbert Müller, the senior member of Müller Kunststofferzeugnisse, praises the cooperation with FB Mold Design:We have been buying moulds from this excellent mouldmaker for a very long time now and are absolutely convinced of the quality.Changes or corrections to the moulds are often necessary and FB Mold Design has also proved in such cases to be a reliable and competent partner.

Herbert Müller, who became freelance in 1974, straight after his training, has been producing plastic components for many years as a supplier to the automotive, toy and furniture industries for example. Following the economic and financial crisis of 2008/2009, the company began putting its own products onto the market. The field of storage and sorting systems with a wide range of storage boxes and accessories proved to be a particularly suitable market.

Today, son Maik and daughter Sonja head the company as the managing directors. Our customers are predominantly wholesalers," explains Maik Müller. Since expanding in 2013, the Müller company has been processing around 1,500 tonnes of plastics a year on 13 injection moulding machines in a three-shift operation.

The Müllers are constantly trying to predict what new products the market will need, and then to respond with new and innovative ideas. One example is the open-fronted storage box with studs at the bottom, which make it possible to also remove the last washer without problem.

Today, the Müller company purchases around 80 % of the moulds it needs from FB Mold Design. This also includes the necessary automation technology and the maintenance of the moulding tools.

Maik Müller attaches great value to the cooperation with his mould supplier FB Mold Design and with HASCO. We also use shut-off couplings from HASCO ourselves, which, with three
or four mould changes a day, considerably simplifies our work.

With more than 100,000 products, HASCO is the full service provider for mouldmaking and supplies its customers with everything from a single source. The modular structured range of standard mould units with individual hot runner solutions is geared perfectly to the customers needs and offers a reliable basis for high-quality moulds. It also enables HASCO customers to attain sustainable competitiveness.

Taking place between 9 and 13 October, the World PM 2022 Congress & Exhibition is returning to Europe after six years. In the French city of Lyon, at the industry’s largest event for powder metallurgy, Arburg will be using its stand (139 – 144) to showcase an efficient and precise powder injection moulding (PIM) application in which a hydraulic Allrounder will produce complex mass components from an innovative BASF feedstock. Known as primary levers, these components are used in the valve control systems of car engines…

Guill Tool & Engineering

Guill introduces the latest generation of its Series 800, the 2-to-6 layer extrusion tooling designed to produce the highest quality, highest material-efficient 1/8” to 6” OD tubing for automotive, medical, appliance and industrial applications. The redesigned Series 800 produces flawlessly smooth extrusion and layer definition of Fluropolymer and other materials for all multi-layer, multi-lumen medical tubing, as well as fuel line constructions, multi-layer PEX pipe and drip irrigation applications, among others. The Guill design further allows thin layer combinations of polymers and adhesives to .02mm or less.

Guill offers its extensive line of crossheads and inline tubing dies in fixed and adjustable center, for single or co-extrusion applications. The tooling is designed to process all compounds and features the company’s patented, precision Feather Touch Concentricity adjustment, the Seal Right System, which combines with the Feather Touch system to eliminate polymer leaking. Guill also offers its unique spiral flow distribution system.

All Guill tooling is produced with rigorous computer simulation of the flow channels using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) programs, resulting in optimum uniform flow with no weld lines.

Aptar Food + Beverage At Drinktec 2022: Sustainability, Performance, Innovation

Aptar Food + Beverage, a global leader in consumer product dispensing and active material science solutions, is pleased to announce its participation in drinktec, the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry, which will take place from September 12-16 at Messe München, Germany. The company will showcase its latest closure solutions for dispensing beverages and other liquid products, from pouring to squeezing solutions, as well as new tethered closures in compliance with the upcoming European directive regulation for single-use plastics. We will also feature an innovative approach to the future of smart beverage containers that demonstrate Aptar’s heritage of innovation and dedication to improving the performance and sustainability of beverage packaging, driving more adoption of recyclability and reusability. A planned unveiling of Aptar’s recently launched Food + Beverage new brand identity, “Create, Collaborate, Innovate,” is one more way for Aptar Food + Beverage to demonstrate the company’s passion and commitment to help companies achieve their bold environmental targets, while striving to create a more circular economy and make a positive impact in the life of consumers around the world.

“We are looking forward to participating in drinktec 2022 and promoting multiple breakthrough solutions including Rocket, the next generation sport cap, our full line of closures for beverages, as well as a sneak peek at some prototypes that are set to create new ways of handling and protecting products,” said Arthur Lenoir, Product Marketing Director EMEA – Food + Beverage at Aptar. “We’re delighted to be able to get together again in person at this important industry event. Aptar Food + Beverage is an industry leader in innovation, well known for helping customers revolutionize their packaging with superior performance, convenience, and safety, but we can’t talk about innovation without sustainability, which will be a focus for us at the show.” Aptar will demonstrate its commitment to sustainability by showing new innovations such as tethering, linerless, and recyclable valve solutions; certifications such as ISCC+, partnerships with PureCycle, REBO, MIWA, and others; and active collaboration with key organizations such as RecyClass, WRAP, APR, and WBCSD. “Designing for sustainability, incorporating more recyclable and reusable products, and reducing the use of conventional, fossil-based, resins are important parts of our strategy,” added Lenoir.

Rocket to the Future of Tethered Solutions
At the show, Aptar will feature its next-generation Rocket sports cap, a tethered solution that redefines the standard for non-detachable, tamper evident visibility, featuring a wide opening angle for drinking comfort. Rocket is fully compliant with the upcoming European directive regarding tethered closures for single-use plastics scheduled to take effect in mid-2024.

SimpliCycle Recyclable Valve – Sustainability and High-Performance
As the industry leader in providing flow control dispensing solutions for more than 25 years, Aptar’s SimpliCycle recyclable valve is driving sustainability to the forefront of packaging innovation. Made from a low-density material, the valve floats in the recycling tanks, allowing it to be easily separated from the PET stream, and then recycled right along with the PP/PE stream. When assembled into an Aptar closure, the SimpliCycle TPE valve provides a fully recyclable and high-performance solution for use with PET, PE, or PP containers. SimpliCycle was recently honored to be awarded the best CSR/Sustainability initiative in 2021 by World Food Innovation Awards and in 2022 received the prestigious 2022 WorldStar Global Packaging Award for packaging innovation.

Breakthrough Concepts & New Solutions
Aptar Food + Beverage will also showcase new concepts for pouring liquid beverages, including a prototype of the new Blue EVO Cap, as well as solutions for dispensing beverages in an inverted pouch format. “As a leader in dispensing solutions, Aptar is committed to improving the overall recyclability of plastic packaging and is dedicated to helping brands achieve their bold environmental goals with high-performance solutions, while making a positive impact in the lives of consumers and on our planet,” Lenoir noted. “Visitors to our stand at drinktec will see this approach reflected in the products and concepts we will feature at the show.”

Looking Ahead to the Future of Smart Drinkware
Lenoir also reports that as part of its dedication to partnering, the company joined forces with REBO, contributing its expertise in flip-top closures, sustainability and innovation to the partnership. REBO manufactured the first smart water bottle that is not only reusable but also features a hydration tracker to help users optimize performance and track their water intake via a linked smartphone app, as well as a light on the bottle, designed to help consumers increase water consumption by reminding them to drink. “We will be showing the REBO smart water bottle at the show,” Lenoir said, “as a demonstration not only of the future of reusable beverage solutions, but also to reflect our initiative and commitment to work with a broad range of brands and manufacturers to improve the industry’s sustainability position. This also demonstrates our expertise in leading projects that promote cross-pollination with other Aptar segments, as well as with external partners. We see these two approaches, recyclability and reusability, going hand-in-hand in the future, depending on what the brands and consumers are looking for, and we are excited to partner with brands so that, together, we can create a much more sustainable future for all.”

During drinktec, visitors to the Aptar stand will have an opportunity to participate in a daily drawing to receive a REBO smart water bottle.

Aptar will be located at Hall C5 Stand 308 during the show. For more information about Aptar products and solutions for the beverage and other industries, visit www.Aptar.com/food-beverage/.