Michael Brunn

Rare metals such as iridium and ruthenium are used in the electrodes of chlor-alkali electrolysis cells. Excellent in aspects such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical conductivity, iridium and ruthenium are expanding in application as industrial materials in various industries, such as electronics, semiconductor, and even industries such as green hydrogen and energy. Furuya Metal has been handling these metals over a span of 40 years, from raw material procurement to ultra-high-purity refining technologies, as well as sophisticated processing technologies and recycling technologies and capabilities. This allows the company to supply many customers, gaining a high global share. Demand for iridium and ruthenium is rising year after year, and due to their high rarity, so far, Furuya Metal has been working on efficient use through recycling over many years to achieve stable supply of these metals.

The X-Stand is a rugged steel cube frame that comes in 3 sizes to fit the 35-liter, 70-liter, and 150-liter air cannon tanks.  These fit Martin® Hurricane and Typhoon Air Cannons.  The largest model measures 36x36x36 inches (91.5x91.5x91.5 cm) and weighs ~175 lbs (~80kg).

Its creation has two main goals: to shape policies that enhance the recognition of dissolution recycling and to ensure a level playing field among all recycling technologies. 

The European Commission's first Working Plan for implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) has been published. It confirms the list of priority products this policy will tackle first to improve their sustainability - with almost all products on the EU market due to be covered eventually. The list includes textile apparel, furniture, mattresses, tyres, iron and steel, and aluminium.

Key updates include streamlining the measurement of intrinsic viscosity variation for PET bottles and harmonising the filter pack used in extrusion during HDPE and PP rigid packaging recyclability tests to facilitate future common assessments.

The most recent studies focus on the search for cheaper alternative substrates, such as agro-industrial waste or industrial by-products, and on extraction strategies to reduce product costs. In this way, the aim is to facilitate their incorporation into a market dominated by petroleum-based plastics. The most commercialised PHAs have certain limitations to be processed by conventional technologies, so one of the objectives is to optimise them so that they can be used in different applications within the plastics industry, as well as to scale up their production and supply companies in the sector.

The high demand for materials for the energy transition can be covered, at least in part, by recovering existing materials. However, recycling is only one of several strategies. In its report "Recycling of Critical Minerals - Strategies to scale up recycling and urban mining", the International Energy Agency has examined the current status of the recovery of materials for the energy transition.

The Sustainability Transformation Monitor (STM) from the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the University of Hamburg, the Weimar University of Applied Sciences and Stiftung Mercator examines the status of sustainability in companies. On the other hand, the interlocking of the real economy with the financial sector is examined.

Every year, the World Meteorological Organization publishes a report on the current state of the climate. Anyone who reads the "State of the global climate 2024" must have strong nerves. Because all signs indicate that climate change is progressing quite rapidly.

According to Circle Economy, the textile industry is at the crossroads of a global crisis. Due to increasingly unsustainable production and consumption patterns, the industry is becoming increasingly resource-intensive and polluting. The environmental costs of the industry's growth are enormous, affecting not only ecosystems but also people's health and livelihoods, especially in regions already affected by poverty and resource scarcity. The "Circularity Gap Report Textiles" aims to illustrate the extent of the problem and at the same time show ways to transform the industry.