Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) choose BUSS Compounding Technology to manufacture performance materials from used tires

Tyre Recycling Solutions will use BUSS’ Compeo compounding technology to transform end-of-life tires into innovative and valuable compounds. Shutterstock

The Swiss innovator and scale-up company Tyre Recycling Solutions SA (TRS), Préverenges, has chosen BUSS’s COMPEO technology for implementation of their trs Intelligent Compounding concept, which transforms powder products obtained from recycled end-of-life tires into innovative and valuable compounds at industrial scale.

TRS’s performance materials, which require a specific, proprietary compounding process of TPE/TPU based resins with recycled rubber powder, bring a truly green transformation to a wide range of applications – from gaskets, logistics, automotive and construction industry to footwear and 3D printing.

After extensive market and technology research, TRS specialists chose COMPEO compounding technology for its unique combination of powerful, low shear mixing with a conical discharge pump (CDP) unit for pressure build-up.

BUSS’ technical expertise in the handling of elastomers and the possibility of pilot scale production campaigns at the BUSS Campus in Pratteln has helped TRS with the development and evaluation of their innovative products until the commissioning of TRS’ own compounding plant in early 2022.

Both companies are working closely together to grow the product platform globally and install further compounding plants within the TRS licensing universe. The successful implementation of this ground-breaking innovation represents a true, ecologically sound solution to remove the >1.5 billion scrap tires discarded every year worldwide. In some countries, scrap tires still end up into landfills and are often burnt, creating toxic smoke and contaminants leeching into the environment. By compounding the powder from waste car and truck tires obtained by TRS technology into TPE/TPU resins, not only the tire waste is recycled, but performant sustainable materials are generated which add value in a wide range of applications.

BUSS is a global leader in compounding systems for demanding applications. As the original manufacturer of the reciprocating Co-Kneader technology, BUSS offers unique compounding solutions that continue to set the standard for heat or shear critical applications in the plastics, aluminum, chemical and food industries. The core competence is customer and application specific solutions for advanced compounding tasks in line with the high demands on process technology and product quality as well as the continuously increasing technological market needs. The performance strength and investment security in BUSS compounding systems can be summarized in two words: Swiss quality. All of this makes the company a leading supplier of high-quality compounding technology.

Tyre Recycling Solutions SA (TRS) was founded in 2013 in Switzerland with the aim of enabling sustainable recycling of the materials contained in scrap tyres. TRS has developed Swiss proprietary
technologies to process scrap tyres and deliver output products with significant value-in-use. Creator of a circular economy solution, TRS is a technology developer and integrator. TRS has developed a toolbox of technologies and know-how to implement the best available process. The cornerstones of TRS’ toolbox are rubber powder functionalization technologies, powder chemical
coating treatment, a unique water milling technology and intelligent compounding. TRS implements technologies and processes into tyre recycler operations, enabling them to become a supplier of unique specialty chemical – TyreXol rubber powders. TRS relies on in-house “Intelligent Compounding ” to commercialize TyreXol™ rubber powders in specific market applications. As the
youngest addition, TyreXol™ rubber powders are compounded with recycled thermoplastics to generate TyreXol TPE, with a recycling content of up to 98%. At the center of a transformation, TRS solves a hazardous waste issue, creating value for existing players of the recycling chain, providing cost-efficient new materials and unique compounding solutions.

Solvay’s Defense Materials Business Receives Lockheed Martin Aeronautics 2021 Elite Supplier Award

CEM Defense Materials LLC recognized among top one percent of suppliers for outstanding quality and delivery performance

Solvay has announced that its CEM Defense Materials LLC (CDM) subsidiary is among the 12 businesses that have been honored with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ prestigious Elite Supplier Award for 100% on-time deliveries and zero quality defects throughout 2021. This distinguished group of recipients represents the top one percent of suppliers supporting the company’s mission and aligning with its business values to promote a healthy defense industrial base.

The award is based on a variety of factors, including a minimum of six months of deliveries to one of Aeronautics’ major programs and an extensive review of criteria such as technical capability, cost, program support, problem resolution and ease of doing business. Furthermore, suppliers must meet stringent quality metrics, such as no rejection rates, maintenance of required certifications, plant continuity and reliable shipping

“We have been collaborating closely with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in many commercial and military projects demanding the highest levels of performance,” says Carmelo Lo Faro, President of Solvay’s Materials Segment. “This Elite Supplier Award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our CDM team to meet the customer’s expectations in challenging times. We are proud to be considered among ‘the best of the best’ and look forward to continuing to serve Lockheed Martin Aeronautics at the same high level in the future.” states Rob Carpenter, President of CDM.

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, CDM is a U.S. subsidiary of Solvay and offers a wide variety of materials for use in aerospace, land, and marine defense. CDM operates under a Special Security agreement with the US DoD and has a portfolio that includes structural, ballistic, and multifunctional composites available as prepregs, tape or infusion resin systems. Materials offer a high degree of flexibility in autoclave, manual and automated conversion processes; and help component manufacturers achieve ambitious lightweighting targets. In addition, the global business unit provides advanced adhesives for assembly and structural integration as well as a range of specialized protective surfacing and finishing materials.

Coperion and Coperion K-Tron at K 2022

High-Efficiency Technologies for Processing and Recycling Plastics

At K 2022 (19-26 October 2022, Dusseldorf), Coperion and Coperion K- Tron will be presenting a variety of new and ongoing developments at their Booth B19 in Hall 14 that will markedly increase the efficiency of plastics compounding processes, help boost conscientious resource handling while at the same time achieving very high product quality. Moreover, the company is creating a space dedicated to the forward-looking topic of “Plastics Recycling”. Coperion will be exhibiting an entire production line for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at their booth within the VDMA’s Circular Economy Forum, a pavilion on the open-air fairgrounds (CE09). Exhibits will encompass bulk solids handling, feeding, extrusion, and pelletizing, all representing Coperion’s advanced expertise in numerous plastics recycling processes such as chemical recycling, multilayer film recycling, and upcycling. Trailblazing new developments from Coperion, such as the ZS-B MEGAfeed side feeder that enables plastic film and flake recycling in very high throughput dimensions, will be center stage at the Coperion Recycling Pavilion.

Smart Solutions for More Efficiency in Classic Compounding Tasks
One eye catcher at the Coperion Booth B19 in Hall 14 will be the high performance ZSK Mc 18 extruder with a 70 mm screw diameter. With its high specific torque of 18 Nm/cm 3 , it is especially suited for efficient compounding of plastics at very high throughput rates and with comparatively low energy consumption. The ZSK extruder is equipped with a ZS-B easy side feeder as well as a ZS-EG side devolatilization unit. Both the ZS-B as well as the ZS-EG –thanks to their simple design – significantly reduce the time needed for recipe changes or maintenance tasks, since they can easily be removed from the process section in just a few steps. A K3-ML-D5-V200 vibratory feeder from Coperion K-Tron will be on display at the main intake of the ZSK 70 Mc 18 . The ZS-B easy will be equipped with a K-ML-SFS-BSP-100 Bulk Solids Pum (BSP) feeder.

Another highlight at the Coperion booth will be the STS Mc 11 series laboratory extruder with a 25 mm screw diameter. It stands out with its simple design, user friendliness and easy cleaning. Its D o /D i of 1.55 and specific torque Md/a 3 of 11.3 Nm/cm 3 allow for safe scale-up across the entire STS Mc 11 series. The STS 25 Mc 11 will be exhibited with a Coperion K-Tron K-ML-SFS-KT20
twin screw feeder.

Moreover, the new, preconfigured ProRate PLUS feeder line will be available to view in all three sizes: small, medium, and large. This continuous gravimetric feeder from Coperion K- Tron is very robust, and thanks to its good price-performance ratio is an economical solution for reliable feeding of free-flowing bulk materials.

The SP series dual bearing strand pelletizers have been given a comprehensive facelift; Coperion’s SP340 model will represent this development at the K booth. In comparison to the previous model, the new SP strand pelletizer allows even faster recipe and color changes. The cutting chamber works with absolutely no dead space; thanks to its quick-release function, the cutting unit can be swapped out quickly and easily. The pelletizer’s interior has improved accessibility and is very easy to clean.

One further highlight of Coperion’s showing at K 2022 will be the ZXQ 800 rotary valve. This high performance valve, which works with especially low gas leakage, was developed by Coperion especially for powder intake into pneumatic conveying lines at up to 3.5 bar. Thanks to its enormous capacity, it is very well suited for systems planned for polyolefin manufacturing in the future.

Plastics Recycling: a Second Life for a Valuable Raw Material
As a raw material, plastic can make a valuable contribution to environmental protection and to the energy revolution. Key to both is the efficient recycling of plastics. For this reason, plastics recycling is the focus of comprehensive development projects at Coperion. The company will show the results of these projects at K 2022 in its pavilion on the open-air fairgrounds (CE09) within the VDMA Circular Economy Forum. There, Coperion will present its combined process solutions and technologies for the economical recycling of various plastics while achieving the highest levels of product quality. At the center will be a system built around a ZSK 58 Mc 18 twin screw extruder configured for manufacturing high-quality PET using recycled materials.

For feeding voluminous flakes and fibers (PET and other plastics) efficiently into the ZSK twin screw extruder, Coperion will show the SWB-300 Smart Weigh Belt Feeder with a S100 single
screw pre-feeder, as well as the new ZS-B 70 MEGAfeed side feeder. The SWB is an extremely reliable gravimetric feeder from Coperion K-Tron that can process large volumes of bulk materials with a wide variety of flow properties at very high accuracy. Using the innovative, newly developed Coperion ZS-B MEGAfeed, plastic recyclate with a bulk density under 200 kg/m³, long considered intake-limited and thus not worth recycling, can be reliably fed in large quantities into smaller sizes of Coperion’s ZSK twin screw extruders and be concurrently
recycled and compounded.

Melting, intensive devolatilization, and complete homogenization take place in the process section of the ZSK 58 Mc 18 , before the material stream is transferred via a gear pump and filter
with an automatic screen pack changer to an underwater pelletizer for pellet production. Finally, the pellets are condensed in the SSP (Solid State Polycondensation) reactor and can then be
processed again into bottles, fibers, or films. The high quality of recycled PET manufactured using this innovative Coperion process was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for direct contact with food (letter of non-objection).

Conventional technologies for recycling PET require pre-drying and crystallization of flakes and fibers before they can be re-processed. Using Coperion's technological process solution, PET
recyclate can be introduced directly into the ZSK extruder. Recyclers profit particularly from the very high end product quality. Thanks to the ZSK’s very good devolatilization properties, volatile
components such as monomers, oligomers and water are reliably removed. Savings in operating and logistics costs as well as reduced energy consumption are further advantages of Coperion systems for recycling PET.

If the plastic pellets produced create undesirable odors, these can be reliably removed using deodorization equipment from Coperion. In order to optimize such deodorizing equipment’s
specification and to individually determine its operational parameters, Coperion now provides onsite tests using a mobile unit for reducing plastic pellet and recyclate odor at customers’
production facilities. Using this solution with freshly produced product and under actual production conditions, the possibilities for reducing recyclate odor can be thoroughly investigated, and system parameters to achieve desired product quality can be defined on location. Coperion will exhibit this mobile deodorization unit in its Recycling Pavilion (CE09).

Marina Matta, Team Leader of Process Technology Engineering Plastics at Coperion, said: “Plastics recycling is one of the core topics that we are emphatically promoting in order to better
support the plastics industry on its path to a circular economy. We are very proud of our newlydeveloped technologies and processes that achieve first-class product quality and make plastics recycling significantly more efficient. The innovative ZS-B MEGAfeed makes recycling of some plastic film and flake even possible in the first place. With our new Recycling Innovation Center, we will soon have the optimal environment for developing further technologies and working together with our customers to optimize recycling processes. We’re awaiting completion of the Recycling Innovation Center with excitement and great anticipation.”

Project Air: Unique Swedish green chemistry investment wins support from EU Innovation Fund

The European Union Innovation Fund has selected Project Air, a unique production facility for sustainable methanol in Stenungsund, Sweden, as one of 17 large-scale green tech projects to be granted more than EUR 1.8 billion. Project Air, which is a collaboration between Perstorp, Fortum and Uniper, has applied for EUR 97 million and the total investment is expected to amount to more than EUR 230 million.

Project Air is a gamechanger for the chemical industry, moving from fossil raw materials to recycled and bio-based feedstock, thereby enabling sustainable chemical products to a large variety of industries and end products. At full capacity, it will reduce global CO2 emissions with close to 500,000 tons from today’s levels, corresponding to 1 percent of current emissions in Sweden.

“The Innovation Fund’s decision shows that Project Air is an important future investment for the climate. This is a crucial decision for Perstorp, our customers and partners, as it creates increased availability of sustainable chemical products throughout our value chains. The chemical industry needs the carbons, but it must be non-fossil carbons and they must be put into circular flows so we get rid of CO2 in the atmosphere,” said Perstorp President and CEO Jan Secher. “I am proud to be the leader of a company that has the ability to drive such an industry leading transformation project.“

Project Air is based on innovative usage of existing technology in a large-scale industrial application. To produce sustainable methanol, the facility utilizes significant amounts of CO2 and other residue streams recovered from Perstorp’s ongoing operations, biogas from new dedicated plants together with hydrogen from a new large electrolysis plant. Further, existing wastewater treatment will be utilized as feed water for the electrolysis. All electrical energy for the combined project will be renewable based. The ambition is to start up large-scale production by 2026.

Project Air will be built at Perstorp’s existing facilities in Stenungsund, strengthening the regional chemicals industry cluster, Hållbar Kemi 2030. The sustainable methanol from Project Air will be used to produce chemical products which in turn are used in a variety of applications in several industries and businesses. It’s ultimately about making thousands of end-products more sustainable, from mobile screens, paints to fabrics in our clothes. As a result of the upstream positioning of the chemical industry in the value chain, the project has the potential to make many other production processes and industries more sustainable. Project Air recovers carbon atoms that would otherwise remain in the earth’s atmosphere.

Project Air is one of 17 projects awarded a total EUR 1.8 billion by the Innovation Fund. The consortium behind Project Air now enters the Grant Agreement Preparation process, which is to be completed during the fourth quarter. The project design and planning of the facility are being conducted in parallel.

BOREALIS APPOINTS SANDRA MUELLER AS GENERAL COUNSEL AND VICE PRESIDENT LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Borealis announces the appointment of Sandra Mueller as General Counsel and Vice President Legal and Compliance, effective 1 June 2022.

Sandra Mueller started her career with Borealis in 2014 and successfully led the Legal Mergers & Acquisitions team as well as the Corporate Legal team in several major growth initiatives of Borealis worldwide, since 2015 as Associate General Counsel.

Before joining Borealis, Sandra Mueller gained substantial experience in the area of mergers & acquisitions at various law firms in Vienna, Austria and London, UK. She holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“For several years now Sandra Mueller has contributed significantly to Borealis’ growth and transformation journey,” says Borealis CEO Thomas Gangl. “With her leadership, expertise and business insights she will continue to develop Borealis’ Legal and Compliance function and support the growth ambitions set by our Strategy 2030.”

Sandra Mueller succeeds Katja Tautscher, who moved to OMV earlier this year in the role of Senior Vice President Legal / General Counsel.

Perc Pineda, Ph.D., Returns to Plastics Industry Association as Chief Economist

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Perc Pineda has returned to fulfill the role of Chief Economist, effective immediately.

A member of PLASTICS’ Senior team, Pineda will be an integral part of the association’s ability to continue generating original, scientific and data-driven research for, and on behalf of, the members of PLASTICS.

As PLASTICS’ primary expert on economics, statistics, and industry research, Pineda will provide regular updates on the impact of national and global economies to PLASTICS members and the public. Pineda will produce various publications, including PLASTICS’ highly lauded annual Size & Impact report, analyzing the contributions of the plastics industry to the U.S. economy. Pineda will also be PLASTICS’ voice in the public, thought leadership and conference arenas, addressing industry issues pertaining to the economy.

“We are excited to have Perc return to the PLASTICS team,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association. “He brings a significant expertise that is unparalleled in our industry. Perc’s invaluable ability to identify economic trends and forecast the state of the marketplace is highly regarded and regularly anticipated by our members.”

Prior to returning to PLASTICS, Pineda served as Senior Economist of the Credit Union National Association, where he tracked macroeconomic trends, conducted economic research, wrote articles for industry publications, and interfaced with the media. Pineda’s career experience also includes teaching Macroeconomics at St. Francis College in New York, and Microeconomics, Finance, and Economics of Regulations and the Law at City University of New York. Prior to his academic endeavors, Pineda served as an analyst for the International Monetary Fund. He holds both a Ph.D. and a Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from The New School (formerly The New School for Social Research), a master’s degree in Economics from American University, and a master’s degree in International Management from the University of Maryland.

“The plastics industry’s value-add—its contribution to the economy—is a major force within all manufacturing sectors,” said Pineda upon his return. “I welcome the opportunity to, once again, provide economic, industry and market intel to the hundreds of PLASTICS member companies throughout the supply chain and to the industry at large.”

Since 1937, PLASTICS, the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, 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.

Highlights and Innovations from Promix Solutions at K 2022

At the upcoming K trade fair, Promix Solutions will be presenting solutions for mixing, foaming and cooling of polymer melts, saving raw material costs, reducing the carbon footprint and increasing production capacity. For manufacturers of light foams, such as XPS, XPP, XPE, XPET, Promix will show how P1 cooling mix technology can be used to achieve better mechanical properties and lower foam densities. Promix displays clever solutions for efficient cooling or tempering of viscous media and for inline viscosity measurement. At K 2022, Promix Solutions can be found in Hall 9, booth E18.

From foam extrusion to Promix Microcell Technology
Promix Microcell Technology creates a microcellular foam structure in the polymer by adding environmentally friendly atmospheric gases (N 2 and CO 2 ). This reduces the product weight by 20 – 50 %, which leads to massive savings in raw materials. The saved plastic also results in fewer CO 2 emissions and your company makes an important contribution to more sustainable

For the mechanical properties of physically foamed components, a foam structure that is as fine-cell as possible is a decisive advantage. Especially in the case of films and sheets for the packaging
industry, a homogeneous, extremely fine-cell foam structure is essential, since the gas bubbles introduced are deformed again in the subsequent thermoforming process. If the cells are too large, the mechanical strength of the component is weakened and, in the worst case, defects occur.

During the Covid-pandemic, Promix conducted intensive research into the further development of physical foam extrusion and carried out various tests in its in-house technical center. With the new Promix Microcell Technology, an important milestone was reached with regard to cell size. It was possible to halve the previous cell size of 100 micron on average. The extremely fine-cell structure leads to very good mechanical values, which are comparable to those of non-foamed trays of the same thickness. Top Load tests have confirmed: With Promix Microcell Technology, weight savings of around 20% can be achieved without sacrificing mechanical properties.

In addition to its use in packaging films, Promix Microcell Technology is also suitable for sheets, foam core and corrugated pipes as well as profiles, cable sheathing, blow molding and blown films. Promix will exhibit relevant key components at the K and will provide information on possibilities within specific fields of application. In the meantime, more than 250 industrial references are in operation and various machine manufacturers are successfully integrating the technology into their plants.

Promix Microcell Technology can be used for almost all raw materials. For example, for PP, PE, PET, TPE, TPU, PA, hard & soft PVC and bioplastics. The technology is available both for newly planned extrusion lines and as a retrofit solution.