Successful demonstration paves way for new product range, Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene
Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) announced success in its first commercial scale production of polyethylene using advanced recycling technology. Advanced recycling, sometimes referred to as “chemical recycling,” converts plastic waste to valuable liquids that can become new petrochemicals. This approach complements traditional recycling by converting a range of materials, including many difficult-to-recycle plastics, into important building blocks for new chemicals. Because of the potential to repeatedly recycle post-use plastics into new materials, polymers produced through advanced recycling are often referred to as “circular polymers.” Its circular polyethylene matches the performance and safety specifications of the virgin polymers it is known for globally.
“We are exceptionally proud to be the first company to announce production of a circular polyethylene on this scale in the U.S.,” said Jim Becker, vice president of polymers and sustainability. “The successful production run marks a huge step for CPChem on our path to being a world leader in producing circular polymers. This development is an important milestone for us as we further our commitment to proactively help the world find sustainable solutions, including the elimination of plastic waste in the environment.”
Commercial scale production is a significant achievement, and the result of the company’s two-year exploration into the technical viability of creating circular polymers from waste plastics. Chevron Phillips Chemical is now working on scaling up its production of circular polyethylene to meet its ambitious production plans. That includes working with several proven suppliers of pyrolysis oil, the feedstock made from waste plastics, and pursuing certification for the new polyethylene through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC Plus) approach using their internationally recognized mass balance certification methodology.
Sustainability technical manager, Ron Abbott, said, “All recycling methods have a role to play in reducing plastic waste and achieving the societal sustainability goals we all want. This advanced recycling technology allows us to recover hydrocarbons from plastic waste that have previously been difficult, or even impossible to recycle, enabling us to upgrade them into clean, safe circular plastics. We are excited to be at the forefront of this technology as we seek to implement sustainable solutions that cultivate a circular economy.”
Upon certification, Chevron Phillips Chemical intends to market its new circular polyethylene range under the trade name Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene.
https://www.cpchem.com
First U.S. commercial scale of circular polyethylene produced from mixed-waste plastics
TPE-BASED MIDSOLE ADDS MORE SPRING TO EACH STRIDE OF NEW RUNNING SHOE
A custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) from Teknor Apex Company has helped China’s ANTA Sports Products Limited to develop a running shoe that exhibits outstanding rebound resilience, enabling wearers to run for longer distances.
One of the world’s largest sportswear companies, ANTA collaborated with Teknor Apex to develop a high-dampening material for the midsole of a new line of running shoes. The midsole is a thick layer between the insole and outsole that is typically composed of a soft cushioning material. For its new running shoe, they collaborated to draw upon technology from outside the footwear industry to develop a midsole construction incorporating Monprene TPE. The companies carried out 40,000 running impact tests to identify the optimum solution that delivered the best rebound performance over extended periods of time.
The key property for this performance is rebound resilience, a measure of the energy returned to the runner in comparison with the energy applied for deformation of the midsole upon the impact with each of the runner’s strides. While standard midsoles on the market achieve 50% rebound, according to ANTA, this new midsole achieves a rebound of 70%. The reserved energy is transformed into running power, enabling the runner to go for longer distances.
“The collaboration between ANTA and Teknor Apex challenges conventional thought about running shoes by focusing on the resilience of the midsole, not just its cushioning property,” said Serene Cheng Sook Ee, Business Director for Teknor Apex’s Thermoplastic Elastomer Division. “The customized Monprene solution adds more spring back into each stride of the running shoe, and it also provides added comfort in ANTA leisure shoes.”
According to Teknor Apex, the customized Monprene is a 60 Shore A TPE that provides wrinkle-resistance, low compression set, tear resistance, and kink resistance. It exhibits excellent elasticity and remains flexible at low temperatures.
http://ir.anta.com / www.teknorapex.com
World’s first flame retardant aviation carpet with recycled PVB based binder developed
Anker, Devan and Shark Solutions teamed up to create the world’s first flame retardant aviation carpet using a recycled binder. Inspired by the knowledge and the needs of the aviation market, Anker motivated to achieve this new goal together. The PVB binder reuses laminated glass, from windshields and architectural/building glass, that otherwise would go to landfill.
German carpet manufacturer Anker is the first company to offer flame retardant carpets for aviation that are made with a recycled binder. In the search for a more sustainable binder, Anker discovered the PVB from Shark Solutions, a Danish cleantech company focused on giving a new life to post-consumer PVB. Properties of the aviation carpet with PVB as binder are the same as those of traditional non-sustainable carpets. The market has been looking for this type of solutions for a long time and market introduction has already started. Anker will introduce well known and special developed styles of aviation carpets with PVB and plan to take out traditional non-sustainable aviation carpets stepwise as soon as possible.
Shark’s PVB reuses laminated glass, from windshields and architectural/building glass, that otherwise would go to landfill. The non-toxic binder (no chlorine or phthalates) is fully recyclable and thus lives up to the future standards of the industry.
Textile innovator Devan Chemicals, known for its tailor-made flame retardant solutions, was called in to develop the flame retardant back coating, which is compliant with the Airbus and Boeing safety standards. “Based on many years of experience and competences in customer related developments, improving recycling rates is getting more and more important”, says Dirk Vanpachtenbeke, R&D manager Flame Retardants at Devan. “We are very proud that, together with Anker and Shark Solutions, we can contribute to this rising demand for products that meet the standards of a circular economy solution.”
In other news, Anker and Devan are already working on a new project, which includes Devan’s antimicrobial/viral-reducing technology. Recently, Devan published test results on the activity of their technology (BI-OME) against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. According to independent testing, BI-OME is proven to achieve 99% and higher virus reduction, including of SARS-COV-2, on samples before washing and retains 98.5% even after 25 wash cycles. This technology has been recognized with the 2020 European Technology Innovation Leadership Award by Frost & Sullivan.
www.devan.net
The new NR3006 nylon gloves – palm coated with flat nitrile
A better alternative to disposables for non-medical situations
Aquila offer the benefits of low-cost hand protection in their NR3006 nylon gloves with nitrile coated palms, which may be frequently cleaned in use, and laundered between wearings. They provide a robust and comfortable, longer life alternative to disposable gloves for many general non-medical situations. Their light weight nylon liner allows the hand to breath and reduces fatigue while the flexible nitrile palms enable good grip and dexterity with chemical and abrasion resistance for a wide range of handling and personal interaction tasks.
Wearing gloves means no hand touching to reduce infection risks and reduced personal skin problems from frequent hand washing, plus the breathable qualities of the coating make them more comfortable than completely sealed disposables such as Nitrile, Vinyl or latex gloves. NR3006 gloves offer flexibility, with puncture and tear resistance in a light weight glove which is comfortable to wear for extended periods and permits sufficient sensitivity to serve in many cases as a cost and environment saving alternative to using many pairs of disposables.
The Aquila range of coated gloves includes different dips and finishes, such as latex, nitrile, sand – by dipping the whole glove or just the fingers and palm to achieve a balance between grip, protection, dexterity and all-day comfort.
www.aquilaglove.com
System rationalisation and an Aluminium transition shake up the capsules industry
AMI Consulting has published its authoritative report mapping the global Single Serve Capsules industry. The report aims to support the development of robust participation strategies by equipping industry players and investors with a comprehensive understanding of scale of potential for future development, growth dynamics per system, market drivers and competitive pressures.
All compatible capsules (both plastic and Aluminium variants) accounted for over a third the single serve capsules market worldwide in 2020, a staggering increase of over 9 billion units in comparison with 2018. There is a clear trend towards rationalisation of systems, with a clear focus on Nespresso and Dolce Gusto in Europe and K-cup in the US. Those 3 systems account for 81% of the global market.
Smaller systems may still offer reasonable returns but have limited growth potential beyond home markets. To this end, virtually all proprietary systems fillers have now diversified their brand presence to accommodate Nespresso and Dolce Gusto compatible variants, either in-house or via contract-packing agreements.
Nespresso system is the biggest global capsules platform. In 2020, the production of original Nespresso (including VertuoLine and Starbucks Nespresso) was almost matched with the magnitude of Nespresso compatibles. This compatible system was the main contributor to growth, most via Aluminium packaged variants. Its original platform is struggling to sustain its previous dynamics. The deal with Starbucks, whereby Nestlé now fills and markets Starbucks branded Nespresso capsules, opened the door for global mainstream retail rollout platform to mitigate the risks.
The compatibles’ need for differentiation resulted in capsule material and barrier specification adjustments, impacting positioning. The (Nespresso) market is now in the process of dramatic transition from plastic to Aluminium. As a result, the industry has been gearing up to accommodate the change, both on the filling side – with investment in Aluminium filling lines and retrofits; and on the empty capsule supply side, whereby compatibles suppliers are having to diversify their portfolio to include Aluminium. There are very high barriers to entry with Aluminium, so the competitive context has been intense, and the ‘Aluminium game’ will determine new winners and losers.
Nespresso has put all the efforts in establishing the collection and recycling infrastructure for its used capsules. Following its open invitation in March 2019 to join in forces in its recycling scheme. Further milestone announced by them is an increase in material circularity with using 80% recycled Aluminium content.
Meanwhile, innovation in plastic capsules focuses on recycling-ready PP solutions, including polyolefin based lidding film. Provided that other materials in the multilayer structure do not exceed 5%, used capsules can in theory be recyclable in the PP stream.
In parallel, bio-resins have developed a meaningful presence in the value chain. Albeit their penetration is still small considering global volumes, the current market context is attractive and facilitating further developments.
www.ami.international
New HASCO slide units and core inserts
With many complex injection-moulded parts, undercuts or recesses cannot simply be demoulded in the main demoulding direction. Movable built-in components in the tool enable the injection moulded article to be removed from the mould without damage. A wide variety of different types of slide elements are used.
The new HASCO slide units Z18185/… open innovative ways of designing tools. The type of actuation enables a shape to be built up without complex and space-consuming bores for inclined columns for slide actuation and allows high force absorption.
The associated core inserts Z18186/… in the materials 1.2343 and 1.2360 with different hardness’s are available for individual contouring.
The slide units, which can be easily installed from the parting line, offer the largest possible contour area with the smallest possible installation space. The slides can be individually designed for demanding applications. The DLC coating on the slides guarantees the best sliding properties and a long, low-maintenance service life.
In principle, the compatibility of all components within the HASCO slide unit range is guaranteed.
A Next Generation Bioplastics Company to Become a Public Company
- Danimer Scientific has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: LOAK)
- Pioneer in creating fully biodegradable and compostable bioplastics providing a cleaner, healthier, and environmentally responsible alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics
- High-growth industry leader with blue chip customer contracts demonstrating large-scale demand for PHA-based biodegradable plastics
- Institutional investors commit to invest $210 million at closing; including certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund, and over $50 million from Live Oak affiliates
Danimer Scientific (“Danimer” or “the Company”), a next generation bioplastics company focused on the development and production of biodegradable materials, and Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: LOAK) (“Live Oak”), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, announced a definitive agreement for a business combination that would result in it becoming a public company. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be renamed Danimer Scientific and is expected to remain listed on the NYSE under a new ticker symbol. It will continue to be led by Stephen E. Croskrey, current Chief Executive Officer.
Danimer Scientific is a pioneer in creating environmentally responsible and natural alternative solutions to traditional petroleum-based resins. The Company’s signature polymer, NodaxÔ PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), is a 100% biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable plastic produced using canola oil as a primary feedstock. NodaxÔ PHA is the first PHA polymer to be certified as marine degradable, the highest standard of biodegradability, which verifies the material will fully degrade in ocean water without leaving behind harmful microplastics. As a result, NodaxTM offers a better beginning-of-life and end-of-life cycle than any of today’s traditional plastics, eliminates the need for recycling and can replace the 80% of plastics that are never recycled or incinerated. It is currently producing and shipping NodaxTM at an industrial scale level from its existing facility in Winchester, Kentucky. The company has partnered with key plastics manufacturers and consumer products companies such as PepsiCo, Nestlé, Genpak, WinCup, Columbia Packaging Group and Plastic Suppliers Inc. as they transition a wide variety of plastic applications, including straws, food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, agricultural and medical applications, among others. Based on signed and pending contracts, the company is fully sold out of all production in its Kentucky facility and will use their increased capital base to significantly increase production, to meet the current and longterm demand of its customer base.
Danimer Investment Highlights:
- Leader in the rapidly expanding bioplastic industry, which currently represents less than an estimated 1% of the global plastics market
- Fully financed at closing of the merger to expand production capacity from 20 million pounds annually today to approximately 200 million pounds in 2025
- Intense demand from existing blue chip multinational customers supports management revenue forecast of over $500 million annually in 2025, with significantly increased profit margins by scaling existing production facilities
- Ownership of a portfolio of core patents purchased from Procter & Gamble in 2007, expanded to include numerous application-based patents, and now aggregating to more than 150 patents applicable in 20 countries
- $890 million of equity, $385 million of cash and only $20 million of pro forma debt provide ample flexibility to support abundant long-term growth opportunities, including further capacity additions domestically and internationally, as well as strategic partnerships and acquisitions of complementary technologies
- Highly experienced leadership team with long term tenure at the company and a board of directors with a proven record of creating shareholder value
“We are excited to partner with Live Oak and transition Danimer to be a public company,” said Stephen E. Croskrey, Chief Executive Officer of Danimer. “We are at an inflection point in our growth trajectory and this transaction will fuel the next phase of our rapid commercial expansion. Our research-based approach to creating environmentally responsible solutions has attracted a blue chip, multinational customer base and our partnership with Live Oak will allow us to further scale production to meet strong customer demand for our technology. We believe PHA has the ability to eliminate the pollution caused by single use plastics worldwide, a potentially remarkable achievement. We are well positioned to further expand our 100% biodegradable products to a wide range of plastic and specialty applications, with a long runway for profitable global growth.”
Rick Hendrix, Chief Executive Officer of Live Oak, commented: “Danimer represents a unique and compelling investment opportunity with take-or-pay contracted revenue from a blue-chip client base for fully bio-degradable plastic resin that addresses one of the world’s most significant environmental challenges. PHA adoption is benefiting from powerful tailwinds as the result of wide-spread corporate commitments and evolving consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging solutions that address the worldwide problem of plastic waste. We believe Danimer is poised for rapid and sustained growth with a fully financed capacity expansion plan and proprietary customer applications.”
www.DanimerScientific.com / www.liveoakacq.com
S1 DT Slitter Acquisition Allows for an Independent Company to Remain in the forefront
Due to the machine’s high degree of automation, the British company has invested in a leading slitter to improve quality and productivity
Comexi, a specialist in solutions for the flexible packaging printing and converting industry, and Roberts Mart & Co Ltd, the leading independent company in the British market for high quality packaging printing, have strengthened their relationship with the acquisition of a Comexi S1 DT slitter by the British company, which is located in Leeds (United Kingdom). This purchase is Roberts Mart’s sixth Comexi slitter, and the second one of this model.
“Following another record turnover year, Roberts Mart & Co Ltd has further strengthened its converting department with the purchase of a second Comexi S1 DT. It is a market leading slitter in terms of productivity, with a high level of automation, including automatic knife and core positioning, and automatic core taping systems,” explains Tim Hilton, a Comexi UK/Ireland agent who works on location at Pack Support, which believes the British company, with this investment, “remains at the forefront of the flexible packaging marketplace”.
Roberts Mart & Co Ltd, founded in 1852, is a 6th generation family business that supplies a wide range of collation shrink wrap, laminated films, and high quality printed flexible packaging to customers in the food and beverage, confectionery & pet food markets. Is has also developed SpectRM, a flexographic print comparable to that of gravure. SpectRM has won over 40 awards worldwide for its colour consistency and ultra-high definition of print.
“Roberts Mart & Co Ltd has been a very important customer for many years. At Comexi we have always had the most innovative solution for their requirements, which are extremely high, and that has meant that the synergy between the two companies to be uninterrupted”, comments Ramon Jonama, Comexi Area Manager for this area.
The Comexi S1 DT is possibly the most automated turret slitter available on the market. This machine provides excellent results in both quality and productivity, notwithstanding the most demanding projects, due to its regulated control elements and high degree of automation. Cores, knifes, and almost every machine adjustment part is self-calibrating, resulting from an extremely interactive and amiable user interface. Its unique automation gives the operator the ability to load the reel into the machine and, if the configuration is appropriate, to deliver completed reels, which are palletized and singularly wrapped in bags, without operator intervention.
The turret of the Comexi S1 DT is able to perform jobs with a large output reel number. Furthermore, it is capable of working with the thickest structures used in the flexible packaging market, including aluminium, wax, and other hard materials. This machine has the NIP tension gap system with which different rewinding and unwinding tensions can be used. Moreover, the Comexi S1 DT allows for a high degree of customization, as well as many automated options, such as splicing tables, automatic reel unloading, video inspection camera, and the robotized
labelling of finished reels.
www.comexi.com
Offset sheets business in Europe – Middle East – North Africa sold out to a European manufacturer
Avery Dennison Corporation, the U.S.-based leading producer of self-adhesive label and graphic materials, announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its Offset Sheets business in the Europe – Middle East – North Africa (EMENA) region to Torraspapel. Torraspapel is part of Lecta, a European manufacturer of coated woodfree and specialty paper products headquartered in London. The transaction is subject to competition approval from the German Federal Cartel Office.
“This sale is part of the strategy for Avery Dennison to focus on categories where we are best positioned to deliver high growth and potential for our customers, with a particular emphasis on our Visual Communication (VISCOM) business. We believe this sale is in the best interests of both Avery Dennison and of our Offset customers given Lecta’s strength in paper-based products,” said Fred Noel, vice president Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions EMENA. “We trust that Lecta will be an excellent partner going forward.”
The transaction will involve Lecta taking over the manufacture and sale of Avery Dennison’s portfolio of FASSON and JAC branded self-adhesive papers and films in EMENA. Lecta will manufacture these under a special limited licensing agreement with Avery Dennison, keeping the FASSON and JAC brands available through the existing network of distributors.
“Creating a smooth, efficient and positive transition process for all groups involved is our top priority. We will keep our customers well-informed as we move towards the transition date,” added Fred Noel.
www.averydennison.com www.lecta.com
PLASTICS Creates William R. Carteaux Leadership Award to Honor Outstanding Plastics Professionals
“Bill Carteaux was the type of guy who could fill a room with his presence, and he used his passion and dedication to build bridges within the industry,” said PLASTICS President and CEO Tony Radoszewski. “His selflessness in his career and private life were never more obvious than when he continued to lead PLASTICS, chaired major events, and raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, all while battling the disease himself.”
“Receiving this award will be a great honor for the man or woman who best reflects Bill’s personal and professional values. As a close friend to Bill, I look forward to celebrating that special person and our entire industry next May at NPE2021 in Orlando, Florida,” Radoszewski added.
Radoszewski will present the new award on May 16th at the Plastics Hall of Fame Gala during NPE2021, where the recipient will stand alongside 2021 Hall of Fame inductees.
Prospective candidates can be nominated by their peers, family, or friends. The Plastics Academy, which administers the Plastics Hall of Fame, will serve as a Screening Committee, with officers of PLASTICS making the final selection.
Nominations should include basic information about the nominee, as well as a brief description of his or her merits. Supporting letters will be accepted as well.
Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 15, 2021.
plasticsindustry.org