The interpack alliance takes you to the Middle East and Africa: pacprocess MEA and Food Africa will take place in December
The Middle East and Africa (MEA), and especially Egypt as a hub for the entire region, is an attractive market for the international packaging and related process industries. pacprocess MEA and Food Africa are the perfect platform.
A 20% increase in demand in the Middle East and Africa – this is the kind of growth that the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) is currently expecting to see. The need for packaged food in this region will presumably increase to 93 million tons over the next four years. This shows the huge potential hidden in this segment of the market alone for the international packaging sector and the related process industry.
pacprocess MEA and Food Africa are coming at exactly the right time. The trade fair duo will take place in 2022, from December 5th to 7th in Cairo, under the umbrella of the interpack alliance fair. The synergy between the events is huge, as the food industry is the biggest consumer of packaging.
“The enormous dynamics of the market in the Middle East and Africa were already palpable during past events,” says Thomas Dohse, Director of the interpack alliance. “Now is the ideal moment to enter this fascinating market.”
A rising profile: pacprocess MEA
pacprocess MEA has been the most important trade fair for processing and packaging in the region since 2019. In 2021, around 16,000 visitors came to Cairo for pacprocess MEA and Food Africa. Both events profit from support by local businesses, public authorities, associations and Egyptian governmental organisations.
The African food industry’s number one: Food Africa
As the largest professional trade fair for the food industry in Africa, Food Africa is a unique platform for entry into the African mega-market for food and agriculture. This is even more relevant in the face of the burgeoning global food crisis. At the trade fair, exporters can engage in targeted networking with local, regional and international industry representatives.
Food Africa has been part of the interpack alliance portfolio since last year. Here, as well as for pacprocess MEA, Messe Düsseldorf is working with the event organisers IFP Egypt and Konzept.
Taking advantage of the opportunities in the MEA region
After South Africa, Egypt is the most industrialised nation on the continent, and one of the fastest growing food markets in the world. Numerous trade agreements and an advantageous geographic position on one of the most important trade routes, the Suez Canal, offer ideal conditions. For manufacturers of food producing machines and packaging machines from Egypt, but also from all of North Africa and the Middle East, this is an important sales market. The African food market is expected to more than triple by 2030 and reach one trillion dollars. Accordingly, investments in production capacities are being made. Manufacturers with large export quotas in particular are focusing on modern technology to meet the demands of their different national sales markets.
Exhibitors can register directly at www.pacprocess-mea.com or www.foodafrica-expo.com for both trade fairs.
SABIC launches blockchain pilot for digital traceability of certified circular TRUCIRCLE feedstock
SABIC’s consortium blockchain pilot project is a collaboration with technology company Finboot, advanced recycling pioneer Plastic Energy, and packaging specialist Intraplás
The project intends to create additional transparency and digital traceability for certified circular feedstock used in SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE™ solutions
SABIC, a global leader in the chemicals industry, has launched a pilot project with technology company Finboot, advanced recycling pioneer Plastic Energy, and packaging specialist Intraplás to investigate the possibilities of blockchain technology in supporting end-to-end digital traceability of circular feedstock in customer products.
Tracing the journey of feedstock through the complex petrochemical value chain is currently a difficult undertaking. To improve this process and support the delivery of its circular feedstock to customers – part of SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio and services –, SABIC has launched this pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of using a blockchain-based, value-chain IT application. SABIC’s is the first project of its kind in the industry to trace the product from feedstock production to converter, going further than previous industry applications of blockchain in end-to-end tracing. The platform offers reduced costs, time and improved data integration for all value chain partners.
Another of the key benefits of blockchain technology in the delivery of more sustainable solutions lies in its ability to validate sustainability proof points and organizations’ ESG credentials. This is of significant benefit to all members of the value chain, including external parties, as it reduces the administrative efforts associated with the certification process of materials. It is also a more reliable process, due to the reduced risk of human error.
Waleed Al-Shalfan, Vice President Polymers Technology & Innovation at SABIC, said: “At SABIC, we have a deep commitment to innovation and technology that can help us to deliver more sustainable solutions to our customers. Our vision to create a circular economy for plastics requires a total transformation of the value chain, and pioneering partnerships with partners both upstream and downstream. Blockchain technology holds exciting potential for the provision of our TRUCIRCLE products to customers, and therefore for our commitment to supporting customers in their sustainability ambitions.”
Finboot’s MARCO software solution acts as middleware layer and will track the TACOIL produced by Plastic Energy from their recycling process, the delivery of this oil to SABIC for conversion into its TRUCIRCLE circular polymers, and finally the delivery of the polymers to Intraplás for conversion into their packaging solutions. The technology also ensures that all data gathered remains immutable while shared across suppliers, customers and regulators – providing transparency, auditability and accountability in a complex industrial ecosystem.
Juan Miguel Pérez Rosas, CEO of Finboot, commented: “We are excited to embark on this pilot as it will significantly contribute to the development and progression of a circular economy, while setting the example for best practice for the global manufacturing sector. SABIC is at the forefront of its industry, always looking to the future and investing in technology and innovation to accelerate its digital transformation that supports the circular economy.”
Marisa Alves, Chief Procurement Officer at Intraplás, added: As a global provider of packaging solutions, Intraplás has the clear ambition to make sustainable packaging broadly available to the market, without compromising the environment and food safety, something that boosted the participation on this important project with our supplier and long-term partner SABIC. The blockchain technology project will reinforce our objectives even more, as it will help us to improve performance, create additional transparency to the supply chain and promote digital traceability for our certified circular packaging. This is an Intraplás contribution, through more concretely sustainable solutions, to a real circular economy.”
Carlos Monreal, Founder and CEO of Plastic Energy commented, “As a company who has developed our own innovative technology, we at Plastic Energy are excited to explore the opportunities that new technologies like blockchain can offer. This pilot has the potential to make a big impact in the value-chain, providing a new level of traceability and transparency for recycled plastics, and demonstrating how advanced recycling can play a valuable role in the circular economy of plastics.”
MEAF shows best in class ‘green’ extrusion solutions at K 2022
At K2022, the world’s largest trade show for the polymer industry in Düsseldorf, Germany, 19 to 26 October, MEAF Machines will demonstrate its best in class extrusion solutions at booth A22 in Hall 17.
Thanks to its highly efficient design, MEAF’s extrusion have a 30 to 65% smaller carbon footprint than many of its competitors while allowing for a further reduction in raw material use. In addition its in-build flexibility allow MEAF’s extruders to work with almost any thermoplastic material, including biopolymers and recycled materials like bottle flakes and post-consumer regrind, thus helping plastics processors to go ‘green’.
Manufacturers in the food packaging sector are under huge pressure from regulators, supermarkets and consumers to reduce the amount of plastics used, while still maintaining food safety, attractiveness and recyclability. By partnering with Swiss manufacturer Promix Solutions, MEAF has added physical foaming capabilities to its extrusion lines. This allows for a further reduction in material use and lower weight, without compromising on features such as stackability and strength. Thanks to the use of nitrogen rather than the often used butane and propane, the process has almost no environmental impact.
An industry sector which only recently has started to move towards a ‘greener’ future is the carpet and artificial turf sector. Where previously they would use non recyclable materials like bitumen and latex, they are now looking at switching to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and TPU for their carpet backing to allow for their products to become fully recyclable rather than being incinerated or ending up in a landfill . This however requires a considerable switch in the production process and a new way of thinking for many carpet manufacturers, reason for MEAF to adjust its in-house extrusion test line for various carpet backing solutions.
Energy and material efficiency have always been at the heart of MEAF’s design philosophy, longbefore it became fashionable. This has helped to company to gain a foothold in far-away placeswhere reliable energy and raw materials come at a premium. “That is the advantage of being arelatively small company,” says Elwin Houtekamer, Director at MEAF Machines BV. “We are more agile than the big manufacturers and work as equal partners with specialised innovative suppliers. This way we are always at the forefront of extrusion technology.”
PET and PP physical foamed trays from sheet made on MEAF extrusion line (Source: MEAF)Artifical grass is another product for which MEAF can provide an extrusion line to produce recyclable backing (Source: MEAF)
Cleaning processes often offer considerable potential for improvemen when it comes to making parts cleaning operations more reliable, economical and sustainable. The first step is to carry out a systematic process analysis that also takes a close look at upstream and downstream production steps.
To ensure the quality of subsequent process steps, avoid rejects and guarantee the functionality of the end product, consistent parts cleanliness is an essential quality criterion. Ever-stricter or even modified cleanliness specifications must be met. In addition, demands on the speed, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the cleaning process are constantly rising. However, how well, fast and efficiently the cleaning work is carried out depends not only on the equipment, the process technology and the medium
used, but also on factors relating to the cleaning process itself.
Systematic process analysis – looking at the big picture
So what do you do if parts suddenly come out of the system stained, if specifications for particulate or thin-film cleanliness are no longer met, the cleaned parts arrive at the customer’s corroded, or cleaning is too slow/too cost-intensive? In the case of these and other problems, a systematic process analysis such as that carried out by the Ecoclean Academy at Ecoclean GmbH can pinpoint the root cause of the error. The cleaning experts not only focus on the actual cleaning process and equipment, but also assess the overall manufacturing environment. The smallest change to the part, part spectrum or material, type of contamination, or modifications to upstream or downstream processes is enough to seriously impair cleaning results.
Stains and thin-film residues on parts
According to the cleaning experts, a p oor cleaning result or one that does not meet new higher requirements is a “classic” reason for carrying out a process analysis. The first step is to identify the exact problem – are thin-film cleanliness specifications not being fulfilled or are there stains on the parts?
If staining is the problem, one of the questions to be asked is whether the quantity and composition of the contaminants (processing media and other substances) have changed or whether the constituents and concentration of the cleaning medium are still appropriate. Other factors, such as rinsing water quality, bath treatment, process technology and process sequence, as well as
the drying step, are also closely examined. These are further influencing variables which play a role if thin-film cleanliness results are unsatisfactory.
Inability to meet particulate cleanliness requirements
If the cleanliness analysis after the cleaning cycle shows that too many or too large particles are still adhering to the parts, this may also be due to the cleaning program and process sequence used. Possible causes include residual particles in the working chamber or on the part carriers, an unsuitable filtration system or a clogged filter. Sometimes, it is the wrong choice of cleaning containers, such as crates made of perforated galvanized sheet metal, which hinders the efficient and reliable detachment and removal of the
particles. This type of crate blocks ultrasonic waves and prevents them from developing their full effect on the wash load. Likewise, the spray pressure does not reach the inside of the perforated crates. Compared to baskets made of round wire, a further problem is that the cleaning medium does not drip off these crates as effectively. This may result in the unwanted transfer of contaminants and/or cleaning chemicals. In any case, much longer and thus more energy-intensive drying processes are required.
A further cause of a failed cleanliness inspection is often burrs that are still attached to the parts, which detach when the parts are handled during the residual contamination check and then show up on the particle filter. If these particles are examined under a microscope, it can be determined whether they are chips or burrs. If the latter is the case, upstream processes must be evaluated to find out where the burrs occur and how their formation can be avoided. Particulate cleanliness can also be impaired by magnetism that is “bought in” with raw materials or arises during the manufacturing process. Magnetism binds chips to the parts and hinders or prevents their removal during the cleaning process.
Handling parts after cleaning
However, the cleaning process is not over when the parts come out of the machine with the required level of cleanliness. To prevent recontamination or corrosion, which can occur even with preserved or passivated parts, it is important to look at how parts are handled after the cleaning step. The following questions need to be answered: Where, how and for how long are the parts stored? How are they transported to the next processing step? What kind of packaging is needed for this? In addition, high cleanliness
requirements often make it necessary for processes such as internal transport, assembly or packaging to be performed in a clean environment or cleanroom.
Updating the cleaning process
Besides cleaning problems, modified cleaning programs can be a further reason for carrying out a process analysis. The aim is generally to shorten process times or enhance the cleaning result. As always, the analysis starts by documenting the actual state, which includes verifying the process parameters, process sequence and process times. Based on the analysis results, potential for improvement can be identified and appropriate measures can be defined. These may include modernizing the system, such as by
retrofitting or upgrading ultrasonic equipment.
Qualified personnel
It is essential that the parts cleaning staff are involved in the process analysis and optimization measures. Raising staff awareness about cleanliness, as well as about the capabilities of the cleaning technology and the impact of parameter settings on the cleaning result, is a key factor. If there is a change of personnel, it is also important that knowledge of how the cleaning system works and how, for example, bath treatment measures or regular maintenance work on the cleaning system are carried out is passed on. Otherwise, problems that had been eliminated in the past may occur again. Investing in the training and continuing education of cleaning staff is therefore a cornerstone in order to achieve reliable cleanliness requirements in an economical and sustainable manner. The Ecoclean Academy therefore also combines process analyses with classic training courses.
Thanks to systematic process analysis, which also includes the analysis of upstream and downstream production steps, sources of error and potential for improvement can be quickly identified.
Regular inspection and maintenance of machine components such as filters are essential factors when it comes to meeting particulate cleanliness requirements in a consistent and economical manner.
Key to reliable, efficient and sustainable cleaning processes are well-trained staff who understand how the cleaning system works and how, for example, bath treatment measures or regular maintenance work on the cleaning system are carried out.
Plan A: Circular economy and technology working hand in hand
Plan A: More sustainability through resource-efficient use of plastics
Plan A: Digitalisation is the future of plastics processing
Excitement is mounting in the run-up to the K 2022, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics industry. As always, Arburg has adopted a clear message for its trade fair appearance in Duesseldorf: “There is only a Plan A”. “Plan A” conveys that the machine manufacturer is committed to making its contribution and presenting solutions for the important global issues of sustainability, the circular economy and carbon reduction. Accordingly, with its trade fair stand A13 in hall 13 and with the arburgGREENworld pavilion in the VDMA Circular Economy Forum, Arburg will showcase its pioneer role in resource conservation. Combined with extensive digitalisation, Arburg is perfectly positioned to provide high-end technology for greater sustainability.
“The issues of sustainability, resource conservation and livelihoods are an increasing concern for people – especially in connection with plastics,” says Juliane Hehl, Managing Partner at Arburg and responsible for Marketing and Business Development. She adds, “One of the key questions is: how can we sustainably combine ecology, economy and social coexistence today and in the future?” Arburg has been focusing on this topic for a long time – not only in terms of its production, but also in terms of its own products. “As a machine manufacturer, we are responsible for consuming as few resources as possible when manufacturing our machines,” explains Juliane Hehl. But it also means that customers can use Arburg machines to implement processes that save on resources and offer solutions for the circular economy. “It’s a complex task as it involves looking at the entire value creation chain,” the Managing Partner sums it up. At the end of the day, the goal is to sustainably reduce the carbon footprint in plastics processing and feed the recyclable plastics material back into the materials cycle.
Arburg has a plan: “Plan A”
“With ‘Plan A’, we want to show visitors of the K 2022: we have understood these contexts and, as a machine manufacturer, we are making our contribution by tackling these issues on both a strategic and an operational level,” says Dr Christoph Schumacher, Director Marketing. “Our message ‘There is only a Plan A’ communicates clearly that there can be no ‘Plan B’ when it comes to resource conservation, the circular economy and carbon reduction – following the motto of the sustainability movement ‘There is no Planet B’.” Of course, “Plan A” also corresponds with the focal points of K 2022, namely the circular economy, digitalisation and climate protection, which have become even more important global challenges since the last trade fair in 2019. “Our trade fair appearance underlines that we have a ’Plan A’ when it comes to the perfect combination of sustainability, efficiency and cutting-edge technology”, emphasises Dr Christoph Schumacher.
Around 2,300 square metres of “Arburg” in Duesseldorf
At K 2022, Arburg will illustrate how highly networked, digitalised manufacturing helps to conserve resources and increase production efficiency. It is all about the synergy between the circular economy and high-tech with the help of targeted digitalisation. The topic’s importance for Arburg can also be expressed in figures: Arburg’s presentation area has increased by a total of more than 800 to around 2,300 square metres: The Arburg stand 13A13 now covers around 1,900 square metres, plus another 400 square metres for the arburgGREENworld pavilion in the VDMA Circular Economy Forum in the inner courtyard of the exhibition grounds.
Sustainability thanks to digitalisation
How exactly can digitalisation deliver sustainability? For example, through targeted sorting and recycling of plastics. Tools include the R-Cycle initiative and marking technologies such as watermarks or QR codes that are applied to products during the manufacturing process. Or equipping the Gestica control system with various digital assistance systems to make it easier for customers to manage the problem of fluctuating material quality of recyclates. Arburg will tackle these issues both at its stand 13A13 and the arburgGREENworld pavilion.
Circular Economy Pavilion: sustainability in theory and practice
The arburgGREENworld pavilion is all about concrete sustainability measures in production and products: in other words, about what Arburg does within its own company to conserve resources and what its products do for customers. “Greenline” plugs from Fischer, one of the market leaders for fastening systems, will be produced on an electric Allrounder 370 A with recyclate package and Multilift robotic system. The give-away is a prime example of a successful circular economy in the field of post industrial recyclate (PIR). The sprue is deposited directly in a mill. It is then returned straight back into the process as regrind and reused. Arburg wants to “rock” the arburgGREENworld pavilion with a young, completely new team at the stand. The team, which includes many trainees, will also be a striking reminder: sustainability is a key component of our future; today’s efforts are essential for future generations!
13A13: Technologies for more sustainability and production efficiency
The main stand 13A13 will showcase corresponding Arburg technologies that enable sustainable, efficient manufacturing. Exhibits will include solutions with a small footprint, process control and networked peripherals, as well as completely new technologies, configurations with compact automation or the series production of mass-produced articles. A total of eight hydraulic, hybrid and electric Allrounders with a clamping force of between 350 and 6,500 kN and two Freeformers for industrial additive manufacturing will be on show at the trade fair stand. All injection moulding machines will be automated with robotic systems, in some cases integrated into complex turnkey systems and connected to the “arburgXworld” customer portal.
Visitors will be able to see for themselves the potentials of the Gestica control system and its assistants, such as the “aXw Control FillAssist”. The Varimos plug-in from Simcon will be shown for the first time, which displays the effects of changes to machine parameters based on AI.
Another real eye-catcher will be the production of a high-quality tool case in Arburg design on a hybrid Allrounder 1120 H with a clamping force of 6,500 kN.
No less than three exhibits are equipped with the Arburg recyclate package: an electric Allrounder 470 A produces PP handles from post-consumer recyclate (PCR), while a hydraulic Allrounder 270 S compact uses glass-fibre-reinforced PPS recyclate to make tweezers. The exhibit also has secure 5G mobile connectivity – a pilot project by Arburg and Telekom.
Another networked, compact turnkey system is based on an Allrounder 375 V with a six-axis robot and Arburg Turnkey Control Module (ATCM) and produces a bicycle tool from recycled PA66/6 (GF50).
A further “smart” exhibit is a hybrid packaging Allrounder 630 H in a cleanroom design that produces around 18,000 transparent PET blood tubes per hour: the injection moulding machine communicates with the mould, hot runner controller, material dryer and automation via the Gestica control system and OPC UA. The “Moldlife Sense” computer system is integrated into the 32x tool provided by Arburg’s partner Hack and enables monitoring across the complete life cycle.
With an electric Allrounder 720 A, Arburg will present an alternative to deepdrawing. Its new size 1300 injection unit enables high injection volume flows thanks to precise AMKmotion servo motors. The exhibit manufactures thin-walled, round IML cups.
An Allrounder More 1600 manufactures Luer lock connectors for medical technology. The application will be the first to show handling with a Yaskawa robot, which can be directly programmed via the Gestica control system.
A definite highlight in terms of mould technology will be the Allrounder Cube 1800 with a 8+8+8-cavity cube mould with new CITI technology of Arburg’s partner Foboha. The three-component cube mould produces a functional component from PP, TPE and POM. A six-axis robot simultaneously fills the mould, cools it and removes the parts.
Arburg family: everything under one roof
Apart from Arburg’s own products, products from two sister companies will also be on show: two 3D printers from innnovatiQ as well as the components from AMKmotion for the Allrounder powertrain. After all, the powertrain is the hallmark of a state-of-the-art injection moulding machine. Thanks to the acquisition of AMKmotion, Arburg now has complete control over the development and production of the entire powertrain, including servo motors and servo inverters – which makes the company unique, at least in Europe.
Arburg prominently represented at the exhibitions
An impressive total of 15 further systems will be represented at stands of various Arburg partner companies, distributed across the entire exhibition. In addition, as in 2019, Arburg will act as a sponsor to ensure that free WLAN access is available to all visitors at the exhibition centre.
Sustainability on show: in the arburgGREENworld pavilion in the VDMA Circular Economy Forum, an electric Allrounder 370 A with recyclate package produces “Greenline” plugs from Fischer.Managing Partner Juliane Hehl is responsible for Marketing and Business Development.Dr Christoph Schumacher, Director Marketing.
Hillenbrand Announces bonding offer to acquire Linxis Group
Hillenbrand, Inc. announced that it has signed a binding offer to acquire LINXIS Group from IBERIS INTERNATIONAL S.À R.L, an affiliate of IK Partners, and additional sellers for an enterprise value of approximately €572 million. LINXIS Group is a leading global provider of mixing, ingredient automation, and portioning solutions for food and other higher growth end markets. Upon completion of required works council consultations, the parties expect to enter into a definitive purchase agreement, with closing expected to occur before calendar year end, subject to regulatory approvals.
LINXIS Group has six market-leading brands – Bakon, Diosna, Shaffer, Shick Esteve, Unifiller, and VMI – that serve customers in over 100 countries. With a global footprint and headquarters in Nantes, France, LINXIS Group specializes in the design, manufacturing, and service of dosing, kneading, mixing, granulating, drying and coating technologies that are complementary to the equipment and solutions offered under Hillenbrand’s Coperion brand. LINXIS Group expects calendar year 2022 revenue of approximately €300 million with mid-teen EBITDA margins.
“LINXIS Group will continue to build upon our profitable growth strategy by further strengthening and accelerating our position in the attractive food end market and enhancing the technical capabilities of our products and service offerings,” said Kim Ryan, President and CEO of Hillenbrand. “By leveraging the combined capabilities of our Coperion brand and the LINXIS Group brands, we will be able to offer more comprehensive processing solutions, creating significant value for our customers. Through cross-selling opportunities in key geographies, the deployment of the Hillenbrand Operating Model, and utilization of our scalable foundation, we expect this acquisition to deliver compelling long-term shareholder value.”
Upon completion of this transaction, LINXIS Group and its over 1,000 global employees operating in ten manufacturing facilities will join its Coperion and Rotex brands as part of Hillenbrand’s Advanced Process Solutions (APS) segment. The APS segment provides highly engineered industrial equipment and systems and aftermarket parts and services for a variety of end markets and applications.
Way2K: Industry interviews in the lead-up to the K 2022 trade fair
“Plastics have a waste and digitalisation problem, not an image problem”
Interview with Christian Schiller, founder and CEO of cirplus GmbH
Mr. Schiller, you have been operating a trading platform for plastic waste and recyclates since March 2020. Where do you get them from?
From suppliers and customers from all over the world, which now stands at over 1,300 companies from more than 100 countries. However, we are currently seeing a considerable surplus in demand for high-quality plastic recyclates.
While this initially sounds good for the recycling industry, it also mercilessly highlights the deficits within the market. For many carbons, no recycling process exists that is industrially available, let alone profitable; too much waste continues to be incinerated or landfilled. The human race is managing to waste an incredible amount of valuable resources, but at cirplus, we are working with the means of digitalisation to change this!
Why is there so little quality recyclate?
We do not have a global shortage of plastic waste; we do however have a shortage of waste that can be recycled well. I would like to highlight three aspects here: underdeveloped recycling technologies, non-transparent and under-digitalised waste and recycling flows, and poor product design. Let’s start with recycling technologies: these can and must catch up on a broad front – and I’m not just talking about chemical recycling in this regard, but especially mechanical recycling, as this is where there is still the most room for improvement, while at the same time the eco-balance is consistently positive compared to the use of virgin materials.
The markets for waste and recyclate must become more transparent and digital. How else can reliable supply chains be established globally if major uncertainties about qualities and quantities cannot be eliminated? In Europe alone, there is no traceability for over 20 million tonnes of waste generated annually. Transparency, traceability and digital trade transactions are the top priorities.
Ecologically and economically sensible recycling stands and falls with product design. If the processors and brands do not manage to manufacture products that can be recycled in a high-quality manner after their utilisation phase, then we will struggle with quality problems for quite some time. All this shows that we don’t have an image problem with plastics, but a waste and digitalisation problem.
Where else do you envisage improvements?
We should talk about standards. The recyclate qualities the market actually needs must be registered accurately. Against this background, we at cirplus have initiated and actively promoted the standardisation of plastic recyclates for higher-value applications and digital trade. The resulting standard, DIN SPEC 91446, was launched in November last year as the world’s first standard for high-quality plastics recycling beyond PET.
Will the market gain momentum through standards?
Definitely. DIN SPEC 91446 has already put a lot in motion within the market. Well-known product manufacturers have started to classify their purchasing requirements according to DIN SPEC. Testing laboratories offer certification according to DIN SPEC, and recyclers are increasingly addressing the required specifications. Using cirplus, requirements and offers are now already automatically classified on the basis of DIN SPEC – and that’s just the beginning.
Could you describe the new standard?
DIN SPEC 91446 is a standard that classifies the degree of transparency of available recyclate data into so-called data quality levels (DQL). This standard is an important step on the way to making recyclates a globally reliable commodity. We support this by digitally aggregating quantities and qualities via cirplus, creating (price) comparability, reducing transaction costs and introducing said quality levels. This is a prerequisite for further AI applications in the future, such as algorithms that can predict prices, quantities and qualities on the basis of the data mapped at cirplus.
Now a standard has been set but is the required quality actually available on your platform?
We are already aware of interesting developments in PET and HDPE, also in some post-industrial recyclates, and in certain volumes outside Europe. It’s true that certain quality goods cannot currently be sourced either online or offline. Food-grade PE or PP recyclate for example is simply not available on the market, with very few exceptions.
However, there are ambitious targets for recyclate use on the part of customers, ranging from consumer goods via household goods to car manufacturers and the construction industry. The cosmetics packaging industry in Europe alone will need at least 1 million tonnes of post-consumer recyclate annually from 2025. This requires an enormous increase in capacity, as well as the development of new waste streams as feedstock for recycling. To this end, we are implementing further developments at cirplus to make the sustainable procurement of recyclates for high-value applications simple, transparent, cost-efficient and reliable. However, the sluggish mechanisms of the existing system and conflicting interests along the value chain are slowing down the transformation of the plastics industry.
Do we need more political regulation to kick-start the market?
Yes, more regulation is needed to establish a truly circular plastics economy. Personally, I am free-market oriented, but the market clearly cannot remedy the deficits on its own. A figure of less than 10 percent PCR recyclate share of the total amount of plastics processed in Germany testifies to a systemic failure in the recycling of plastics, and this more than 30 years after the introduction of extended producer responsibility.
The fact remains that wherever the price of virgin material is lower than that of recycled material, almost exclusively virgin material is bought, and the waste has no value. Our digitalisation approach can help enormously here. It can reduce up to 25 percent of the transaction costs in the production and use of plastic recyclates. The state is now also intervening. The most recent example is Great Britain. Since 1 April 2022, a penalty tax has been levied on packaging with a recycled content of less than 30 per cent. Other European countries will follow suit, and the European Commission is working on a product-specific recycled content quota. As a result, users are increasingly starting to think about their product design. This is a good dynamic, but one that could be nipped in the bud by chemical recycling.
Why is that?
I notice an uncertainty on the part of processors and brands. At almost every event organised by the plastics industry, they hear that mechanical recycling has reached its limits and they perceive that the chemical industry is driving forward chemical recycling with billions of euros of investment in order to be able to recover even the carbons that are still difficult to recycle today.
They now quite rightly wonder whether their own efforts to design for recycling make any sense at all if petrochemicals could actually recycle complex composites in the future. In such a scenario, processors and brand owners would not have to change anything about their products, since chemical recycling would allow semi-new products to be used that would still meet the recyclate quotas via the mass balance approach. In addition, processors do not have to fear increased purchasing costs due to the energy-intensive recycling process if brand owners are actually obliged by legal quotas or penalty taxes to use chemical recyclates in certain quantities. This is one of the reasons why plastics manufacturers are campaigning for the minimum quota for recyclate use at European level!
INEOS invests in state-of-the-art technology to design recyclable flexible packaging film to prevent one million tonnes of waste going to landfill each year
INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe announces multi-million Euro investment in state-of- the-art multilayer, blown line technology with Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) supplied by Hosokawa Alpine, a pioneer in MDO technology
The business will bring its polymer expertise to develop, design and produce new, recyclable flexible packaging films in partnership with converters, brands and retailers
The investment creates the potential to prevent approximately one million tons of waste per year from being sent to landfill or incineration
INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has announced today a multi-million Euro investment in state-of-the-art technology that will enable it to work with converters, brands and retailers to develop simpler, more recyclable flexible packaging film. The investment could help to prevent around one million tonnes of waste from being sent to landfill each year.
Using new multilayer, blown line technology with Machine Direction Orientation (MDO), INEOS and partners will work together to develop, design and produce polyethylene and polypropylene-based flexible packaging film using fewer polymers, increasing the recyclability of the product.
Flexible packaging films are a low carbon solution for transporting food and other goods; and they increase food shelf life, helping consumers to manage household bills. However today’s multi-material products combine polymers from different chemical families, making them difficult to recycle. Reducing the number of polymers used to produce packaging film will make packaging that is designed to be recycled.
INEOS is the only raw material supplier to have invested in an inline MDO-multilayer line from Hosokawa Alpine, a pioneer in MDO technology, which heats and stretches polymer films to improve their physical and barrier properties, enabling them to be used in different product applications.
The new line will be installed in INEOS’ R&D labs in Brussels, Belgium, in 2023, where INEOS will develop new, mono-material flexible film packaging products. INEOS will leverage this capability and its expertise in resin design to work alongside partners on new generations of resins specially engineered for their flexible packaging products.
Rob Ingram, Chief Executive, INEOS O&P Europe North, said: “This investment is further evidence of our commitment to taking action across the value chain to create a more sustainable future. Flexible packaging films keep our food fresh and safe to eat, but we recognise and share people’s concerns about plastic waste.”
“I’m excited about the prospect of working closely with our partners to use this world-leading technology to develop new capabilities and a more recyclable solution for this important product.”
Other examples of concrete action being taken across the value chain include:
Building Project One, the most environmentally sustainable cracker in Europe and largest investment in the European chemical sector in a generation
Conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a 100-megawatt water electrolysis plant for producing green hydrogen at our site in Cologne, which could cut CO2 by more than 100,000 tonnes per year
The Recycl-IN polymer range, which compounds post-consumer recycled plastic with new highly engineered virgin polymers to meet the demand for recycled products that meet high performance specifications
Recycling investments that will drive up recycling levels and produce food-grade certified recycled content
This is just a small sample of the action being taken across the global INEOS business to deliver net zero emissions and develop a circular economy in which valuable materials stay in use. Go to https://www.ineos.com/sustainability/ for more.
1) Source: Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging, 2016. CEFLEX is a collaboration of over 180 European companies, associations and organizations representing the flexible packaging value chain
Dow seals value chain partnership with Want-Want Group to drive zero-solvent emissions and explore opportunities to adopt more recyclable flexible packaging
Its innovative adhesives solutions support Want-Want Group’s sustainability goals, bringing more environmentally-friendly packaging choices to consumers
Dow (NYSE: DOW), a global materials science company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s leading food and beverage group, Want-Want, to drive zero-solvent emissions and develop a circular economy for flexible packaging. This agreement aims to deepen value-chain partner collaborations with customized adhesives solutions to address the needs of the industry for more sustainable packaging choices.
Solvent emissions are a source of pollution and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Enabled by Dow’s water-based and solventless adhesives technologies, Want-Want is dedicated to using environmentally-friendly laminating adhesives for all its flexible packaging while exploring opportunities to adopt recyclable packaging across more products under its portfolio.
“Investing in sustainability is an ongoing process; this significant step with Want-Want can help both parties optimize our sustainability roadmaps in the long run,” said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “We will continue to drive innovative solutions and support more partners in achieving their sustainability goals.”
“Adhesives is an important sector that can help reduce emissions and enable a circular economy. Not only are we advancing sustainable packaging on a larger scale, but we are also exploring benefits such as efficiency optimization and energy savings, supporting customers in reducing carbon footprint during production and transportation processes,” said Jayne Wong, global adhesives business director, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics.
The signing of the MoU agreement aligns with Dow’s sustainability goals for carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as supports Want-Want’s sustainability goals to achieve carbon neutrality and adopt recyclable packaging for all products.
“In order to tackle climate change and create long-term value, we have an important part to play as one of China’s largest food and beverage companies to establish an environmentally-friendly value chain – that inspires and encourages our consumers to make positive changes for the planet,” said Yongmei Cao, general manager of operations, Want-Want Group. “Solving sustainability challenges is not a one-man nor a one-organization job, but also falls on the shoulders of all stakeholders. Not only are we thrilled to advance further in this journey with Dow, but we are also encouraged by the reality that we can offer our customers’ favorite products that are enveloped by Dow’s sustainable packaging innovation.”
Plastics Industry Association Names Polis New Vice President of Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is pleased to announce that Stephanie Strategos Polis has accepted the position of Vice President of Communications, effective immediately.
As a member of the Senior team, Stephanie will lead all communication efforts on behalf of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, representing nearly one million workers in the $395 billion U.S. plastics industry.
Polis will lead the PLASTICS brand strategy, champion the priorities of the PLASTICS government relations team to enhance their direct lobbying and coalition efforts and serve as a strategic advisor to PLASTICS leadership on marketing, digital messaging and public affairs.
“We must be a strong voice for the plastics industry, so I am thrilled to have Stephanie join our team. Her sophisticated approach to public affairs and communications as well as over two decades of executive communication, government relations and marketing experience will be a huge asset for the plastics industry,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “Stephanie’s seasoned institutional knowledge of Washington, impeccable abilities as a collaborative interconnector and enthusiasm for the great work being done by the people in our industry will help us to better tell the plastics story.”
Before joining the association, Stephanie was Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) where she worked to enhance the communications, public affairs and marketing on behalf of APCIA’s membership, representing approximately 70% of the property casualty insurance industry. Polis has worked on Capitol Hill on the House Budget Committee professional staff under then-Chairman Jim Nussle (IA), served as a Presidential Appointee in the role of Public Liaison to the Honorable Secretary Elaine L. Chao at the United States Department of Labor, and as the Director of Government Relations at the United States Chamber of Commerce. In addition to having served on executive teams at the state and federal levels of government, she has worked on the political, fundraising and grassroots teams for several successful state, Congressional and Presidential campaigns.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead communication efforts on behalf of the Plastics Industry Association, representing America’s eighth largest industry,” Polis shared. “The plastics industry is committed to sustainability like no other, provides nearly a million people in the United States with a place in which they are proud to be a team member and is firmly dedicated to investments in innovative technology. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve as a positive voice for the people of the plastics industry and promote the growth of PLASTICS under Matt Seaholm’s leadership.”
Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members and the industry more globally competitive while advancing recycling and sustainability. To learn more about PLASTICS educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, networking opportunities and policy advocacy, and the largest plastic trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show, visit plasticsindustry.org or go to This Is PLASTICS.
Thanks to systematic process analysis, which also includes the analysis of upstream and downstream production steps, sources of error and potential for improvement can be quickly identified.
Regular inspection and maintenance of machine components such as filters are essential factors when it comes to meeting particulate cleanliness requirements in a consistent and economical manner.
Key to reliable, efficient and sustainable cleaning processes are well-trained staff who understand how the cleaning system works and how, for example, bath treatment measures or regular maintenance work on the cleaning system are carried out.
