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Image: Plastic waste on the conveyor belt of a sorting plant. Copyright: Heng Heng - AI Stock – stock.adobe.com

Falling EU Competitiveness Threatens Circular Plastics Transition

02.12.2024

New data from Plastics Europe reveals a concerning trend: European plastics manufacturing has faced a steep decline, with total production dropping by 8.3% in 2023. For the first time, mechanically recycled plastics have also seen a 7.8% reduction. These challenges jeopardize Europe’s leadership in sustainable plastics and its transition to a circular economy.
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Image: VTT's pilot equipment for converting carbon dioxide into synthesis gas; Copyright: Photo VTT

Sustainable plastics production through bio-based carbon capture in Finland

15.11.2024

In Espoo, Finland, VTT (Technological Research Institute Finland) and LUT University, in cooperation with industrial partners, have opened a pilot plant that converts carbon dioxide into high-quality plastic raw materials in an innovative way.
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Image: View over the shoulder of a woman photographing the entrance area of the K with her cell phone; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

One year to go until K 2025: trends that move the industry

08.10.2024

In a year's time, it will be that time again: K 2025 will open its doors and bring the global plastics and rubber industry together in Düsseldorf. From October 8 to 15, 2025, K will once again be the place where innovations are presented, new trends are discussed, and contacts are forged. The industry is already looking ahead to what will be on the agenda in October 2025.
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Image: futuristic glass façade in a green setting; Copyright: Fahroni

Sustainable Construction: Transparent Material to Save Energy

18.09.2024

How will we build in the future? Sustainability, energy efficiency and comfort are key requirements that modern materials must fulfil. Conventional building materials such as glass are reaching their limits. This is where a new polymer-based material comes in, intelligently combining natural lighting and heat regulation to reduce energy consumption.
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Image: young asian woman in a laboratory; photo: Luke Hayes for Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech develops biodegradable bioplastics from food waste

06.09.2024

This innovative approach not only offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution but also provides a new life for materials that would otherwise be discarded.
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Image: Used tyres; Copyright: Sida - stock.adobe.com

Tyre Recycling: Keeping Valuable Raw Materials in the Loop

04.09.2024

Around 13.5 million tonnes of waste tyres are generated worldwide every year. This number is steadily increasing with the growing production and use of vehicles. While a significant portion of these tyres is already recycled or reused, there are also challenges such as current regulations. Nevertheless, tyre recycling remains an essential component of a circular economy.
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Image: Symbolic image on the subject of traceability; Copyright: AndSus – stock.adobe.com

Covestro and Alibaba Cloud for Supply Chain Transparency

02.08.2024

Driven by increasing consumer expectations and regulatory requirements, the need to measure the use of sustainable materials and their associated carbon footprints has become essential. Covestro and Alibaba Cloud have teamed up to develop solutions that enhance supply chain transparency, focusing on sustainable plastics and carbon accounting through advanced digital technologies.
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Image: industrial chemical plant; Copyright: CreativeNature_nl

Global Impact Coalition: Net-zero Chemical Industry

19.07.2024

Charlie Tan has his work cut out for him. The 30-something, London-born Brit/Malay last November became CEO of the newly reconstituted Global Impact Coalition (GIC). The GIC has the stated aim of transforming the global chemical industry to net-zero by 2050.
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Picture: Children in Africa collecting plastic waste; Copyright: envato

Recycling solutions for a sustainable future

10.07.2024

WILDPLASTIC® has set itself the goal of ridding the world of “wild” plastic waste and offering innovative recycling solutions. The Germany-based company differentiates its products through the unique use of plastic that is recovered from the environment to be recycled and reused as granulate.
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Image: example of the patch-based laminate design using Cevotec's Artist Studio Software; Copyright: National Composites Centre

NCC Enhances Circularity in Aerospace Manufacturing

07.06.2024

The National Composites Centre (NCC), in collaboration with Munich-based Cevotec, showcases a sustainable solution for aerospace manufacturing waste, aiming to reclaim up to 80% of dry fibre material. This proof-of-concept could revolutionize waste management practices by utilizing innovative Fibre Patch Placement technology.
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Image: PET bottle production plant; Copyright: gumpanat

Partnership in PET recycling drive sustainability forward

30.05.2024

The world of plastic recycling has witnessed an outstanding alliance between two important players in the recycling industry: GANESHA ECOPET Co., a division of the largest Indian PET recyclers – GANESHA Group –, and SOREMA, the division of Previero Srl specialized in the construction of plastic recycling plants.
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Image: Close-up of an old plastic tool housing part; Copyright: HolyPoly

Closed-Loop Factory: from waste acceptance to product manufacture

18.04.2024

Recycling begins even before disposal. The entire life cycle of a product should be considered as early as the development stage. The start-up HolyPoly supports brand manufacturers throughout the entire recycling process. Their mission: to make plastics recycling a matter of course. To meet the growing demands, they recently opened the Closed-Loop Factory.
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Image: In-house cooling system; Copyright: ONI-Wärmetrafo GmbH

System technology: energy efficiency in the plastics industry

20.03.2024

The plastics industry faces the challenge of harmonising efficiency and sustainability without compromising on performance. With a unique portfolio of products and services, ONI-Wärmetrafo supports plastics processing companies in becoming more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, which is of immense importance, especially in times of rising energy prices.
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Image: three men at a gasification plant; Copyright: Waste-to-En

Chemical Recycling of Plastics at Waste-to-En

13.03.2024

Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste are produced that are not recycled. The gasification technology from the start-up Waste-to-en offers a promising solution to this problem. The method efficiently converts waste into valuable resources while reducing both landfill fees and electricity consumption, providing a sustainable alternative in waste management.
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Image: Plant for the gasification of plastic waste from laboratories; Copyright: Re:Lab

Gasification of plastic waste at low temperatures

06.03.2024

The specific requirements and high purity of plastic waste from life science research laboratories make recycling it a particular challenge. Re:Lab AB is tackling this problem with a chemical recycling process based on low-temperature conversion, which is a special form of gasification.
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Image: Rendering of the world's first biorecycling plant in France; Copyright: CARBIOS

World's First PET Biorecycling Plant

01.03.2024

In a significant advancement for sustainable materials management, CARBIOS has teamed up with De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC), renowned for its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction services in the biotech and agro-processing sectors. This collaboration aims to launch the world's first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France, set to be operational by 2025.
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Image: PFAS graphic; Copyright: Francesco Scatena - stock.adobe.com

Fluoroplastics in focus

23.02.2024

The debate about fluoroplastics and their environmental impact is reaching new heights. While environmentalists are calling for a ban on PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds), industry associations are warning of the far-reaching consequences for numerous areas of application. A look at the arguments and challenges.
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Image: Map of Europe with a plastic bag and a few coins on it; Copyright: tanaonte - stock.adobe.com

FAQ on the Plastic Tax

14.02.2024

In response to the growing environmental impact, the EU has introduced the so-called plastic tax – a step that has far-reaching consequences for the plastics industry and raises many questions. Our FAQ offers you a detailed overview of the new tax regulation. Learn everything important about the objectives, effects, and critical voices from the industry regarding the plastic tax.
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Image: Plastic pipes; Copyright: maxxyustas

Plastic tubes and pipes: heroes of sustainable infrastructure

07.02.2024

Plastic tubes and pipes are essential for modern infrastructures – from safe water supply to innovative energy solutions. Their versatility, durability and ability to be integrated into circular economy concepts make them a key player in the discussion about sustainable materials. With this in mind, Tube 2024 is establishing a new area, the Plastic Tubes & Pipes Area.
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Photo: Construction work on the site of a high-rise residential building; Copyright: myjuly

KORE Low Carbon EPS insulation using Neopor® BMB by BASF selected for major housing project of Braidwater

26.01.2024

KORE Insulation has introduced an environmentally friendly EPS insulation with a reduced carbon footprint to be used in a major housing development in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. The decision to use KORE's Low Carbon EPS was made by the Braidwater Group. KORE Low Carbon is made from Neopor® BMB by BASF.
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New EU packaging regulation: Voices from the industry

25.01.2024

The current Packaging Directive has not been able to reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging. The European Parliament has therefore voted on new rules for packaging in the EU. At the end of November, the Parliament clearly adopted the proposal.
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Photo: The founding team of Polytives GmbH (from left): Oliver Eckardt, Viktoria Rothleitner and Prof Dr Felix Schacher in a laboratory; Copyright: Susann Nürnberger

Saving energy in plastics production: Polytives wins 2nd place in the Lothar Späth Award 2023

05.01.2024

Polytives GmbH, a spin-off of the University of Jena in the field of plastics technology, was awarded second place in the Lothar Späth Award for its cooperation partnership with the university on 16.11.2023. The company, which emerged from Prof. Schacher's working group, develops innovative plastics solutions for energy optimisation in production.
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Image: Several wind turbines next to each other in a wind farm; Copyright: perutskyy

Repsol strengthens its alliance with Pontegadea through a 618 MW renewable portfolio

22.12.2023

Repsol has formed a new alliance with Pontegadea, incorporating them as a partner with a 49% stake in a portfolio of renewable assets valued at €740 million. This partnership strengthens Repsol's strategy of bringing in investors to accelerate their renewable energy goals, which include reaching 6,000 MW of installed generation by 2025 and 20,000 MW by 2030.
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Working in the plastics industry

19.12.2023

The plastics industry offers a wide range of career paths in various disciplines. Each has its own focus and gives the opportunity to promote sustainability in the industry.
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Image: Yellow and brown traceless® materials in the form of granules, paper coating and film application; Copyright: traceless

traceless materials secures €36.6 Million Series A to build first industry plant for bio-circular alternative to plastic

01.12.2023

The bioeconomy start-up traceless materials has closed a financing round of 36.6 million euros, led by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund and SWEN Blue Ocean. The company produces a sustainable biomaterial that serves as an alternative to plastic and combats plastic pollution.
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wdk joins Fair Rubber e.V.

17.10.2023

The German Rubber Manufactures Association (wdk) has been campaigning for responsible procurement of raw materials and services in the industry for many years. Now the industry association has set another example of its commitment to fair trade in global natural rubber supply chains. On 1 September 2023, the wdk joined the Fair Rubber e.V. initiative as a supporting member.
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Photo: Project STOP employees take a tour of the new materials recovery facility; Copyright: Project STOP

New material recovery facility opened in Banyuwangi under Project STOP's expansion program

02.10.2023

On September 16, a large materials recovery facility was inaugurated in Songgon Municipality, Indonesia, built in collaboration with the Banyuwangi Regional Government. Project STOP Banyuwangi, supported by various stakeholders, aims to establish a circular waste management system in Indonesia and achieve positive environmental impacts.
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Image: completed demonstrator; Copyright: DLR

Thermoplastics in aircraft construction – less weight, more future

20.09.2023

Every gram counts: In aviation, a weight reduction of just one kilogram can save up to 25,000 litres of fuel annually. Plastics can be the key to this. The DLR uses carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics to make aircraft fuselages more resource-efficient. Within the framework of the Large Passenger Aircraft project, fundamentally new technologies have even been developed for this purpose.
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Image: Landfill with metal scrap and electrical appliances; Copyright: scherbinaanna7

AIMPLAS participates in a European project to develop environmentally sustainable printed electronics

19.09.2023

The REFORM project aims to develop sustainable electronic components using bio-derived materials to reduce the reliance on scarce metals. It addresses the environmental impact of e-waste by creating recyclable and eco-friendly printed electronics, involving various European partners, including AIMPLAS, to develop innovative recycling methods.
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Image: greenhouse gas emissions are coming out of the two chimneys of thermal power plants. In the foreground are some trees. In the background: blue sky; Copyright: Daria_Nipot

New guide to the future of plastics

06.07.2023

Researchers from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and the TNO Institute have developed four strategic approaches to enable the transition to a circular plastics economy. In addition, they are launching the European Circular Plastics Platform (CPP), a platform for cross-sector collaboration to remove barriers and share solutions.
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Global chemical companies sign agreement on R&D Hub for plastic waste processing incubated by World Economic Forum

16.06.2023

Seven member companies of the World Economic Forum’s Low-Carbon Emitting Technologies (LCET) initiative have signed a collaboration agreement with the independent research organization TNO to establish an R&D Hub for Plastic Waste Processing. The seven companies include BASF, Covestro, Dow, Mitsubishi Chemical, SABIC, Solvay and Lyondell Basell.
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Image: Exterior view of a biogas plant surrounded by a field and a forest; Copyright: Grigory_bruev

CO2BioClean: Turning CO₂ into biodegradable plastics

17.05.2023

CO2BioClean is using an innovative process to produce biodegradable plastics and polymers from CO₂ as a circularly sourced feedstock. What is driving them is their vision for a sustainable future and the potential of their technology to contribute towards global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and the use of fossil fuels in the production of plastics.
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Image: Inside a plastic recycling plant; Copyright: Shutterstock/Nordroden

A status check on the UN's plastic waste agreement

24.04.2023

Plastic pollution is a serious threat to human health and the environment. After years of awareness-raising, there is strong and widespread alignment on the need to act. This was the unmistakable and welcome message from the U.N.'s first negotiating session on a global agreement to end plastic waste in December.
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Image: Various red and white towers of a factory. Emissions escape from the one on the right; Copyright: freedomnaruk

LANXESS software calculates carbon footprint for Group's own products

05.04.2023

With the "Product Carbon Footprint Engine" developed by LANXESS, the CO2 footprint can be calculated automatically for the Group's products. With this innovation, the speciality chemicals company aims to help its customers achieve their sustainability goals.
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Photo: Detail of the Röchling stand in jungle design with some visitors in suits and a gorilla figure in the background ; Copyright: Röchling SE & Co. KG

Acting Responsibly: Jungle feeling at the Röchling stand at K 2022

08.12.2022

This year, the company Röchling SE & Co. KG chose the design of a jungle at K 2022 in Düsseldorf to present its sustainable product families as well as innovative new products. Under the motto 'Acting responsibly' the concept was well received by visitors and customers.
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Image: Chemical factory. Blue sky in the background; Copyright: chuyu2014

BASF and ARCUS sign agreement on the production and procurement of pyrolysis oil from mixed plastic waste

03.10.2022

ARCUS plans to start up first commercial pyrolysis plant for mixed plastic waste in Germany and will supply the company BASF SE with pyrolysis oil. This will enable further expansion of BASF's ChemCyclingTM business. The Agreement foresees take-up of up to 100,000 tons of pyrolysis oil per year.
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Image: Chemical plant at dusk with light and smoke; Copyright: CreativeNature_nl

LANXESS: Entire value chain to become climate-neutral

12.09.2022

The chemicals company LANXESS aims to make its upstream and downstream supply chains climate-neutral by 2050. In order to achieve the so-called Scope 3 targets, LANXESS has launched the Net Zero Value Chain Program. The focus is on sustainable raw materials, green logistics and climate-neutral products.
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Photo: waste separation. Left: Two trash cans. Right: A trash can and a filled trash bag; Copyright:

Public obligations for recycling: Germany – a good role model?

16.08.2022

With the Packaging Act, Germany is taking a further step towards an all-encompassing raw material cycle for packaging. One of the requirements aims to significantly increase the amount of recyclable packaging. Packaging used in mail order or "dispensed" for to-go products has recently been required to be registered in the LUCID Packaging Register.
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A guide to sustainable plastics

27.07.2022

As a designer, plastics and sustainability can be difficult to navigate. There are so many parameters to consider – from the origin and environmental footprint of raw materials to the durability and quality of specific materials and maximising the chances of recovery and recycling at the end of life of plastics products.
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Image: Building complex of the new KraussMaffei corporate headquarters in Parsdorf; Copyright: KraussMaffei Group GmbH

The "new KraussMaffei" is to be climate-neutral by 2030

25.07.2022

The KraussMaffei company confirms a sustainable corporate strategy: Climate neutrality in eight years. The consistent focus is on Circular Economy. One of the largest roof-mounted photovoltaic systems in Europe is currently being built at the new main plant in Parsdorf.
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Made up out of thin air

19.05.2022

Innovations always emerge from something existing, something tried and tested. Approaching them in terms of their content requires a look at the fundamentals. This is also true for the question of how carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases can be used for the production of plastics.
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Alexis Olans Haass, Director Sustainability adidas PURPOSE

"The goal is to create an exciting vision that our consumers want to participate in with us."

30.06.2019

Alexis Olans Haass is Director Sustainability at adidas PURPOSE. She heads adidas brand's sustainability program from global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Her responsibilities include directing adidas brand's sustainability strategy, and developing new sustainable innovations and business models.
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