BIR

Game-changing developments for plastics recycling in Europe

| “We need to convey the message that recycling is resource-efficient and climate-efficient,” insisted Emmanuel Katrakis, Secretary General of the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, in his presentation to the BIR International Environment Council (IEC) meeting in Budapest on October 14.

New bottle-to-bottle technology by Erema

| According to Erema, the new Vacunite technology offers efficient decontamination, best colour values, top IV stability and low energy consumption.
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Time to change from a “hazard” to a “risk” approach

| Challenges and innovation in WEEE recycling within Europe formed the core of a guest presentation to the BIR E-Scrap Committee meeting in Budapest on October 14.

“Unavoidable” technological advances in plastics recycling

| “The alarm bells are ringing louder and louder” for plastics recyclers amid worrying economic developments and wider uncertainties, warned BIR Plastics Committee Chairman Henk Alssema of Netherlands-based Vita Plastics in his introductory remarks to the body’s latest meeting in Budapest on October 14.
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Fiji Water commits to 100% recycled plastic in all bottles by 2025

| FIJI Water has announced a multifaceted initiative to transform its use of plastic while promoting a circular economy. The plan is highlighted by an aggressive timetable to make all plastic bottles from 100 percent recycled plastic (rPET) by 2025, with 20 percent rPET in bottles next year.

Consumers are waking up to the benefits of using clothing more sustainably

| The increasing number of clothing swap and take-back schemes being implemented by retailers could signify that a change in consumer attitudes about sustainability is finally occurring, writes GlobalData.
lichtkunst.73, pixelio.de

Collation shrink films with recycled polyethylene

| Continuing an ongoing collaboration of almost 20 years, ExxonMobil and Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) will demonstrate a 40-micron, 5-layer polyolefin dedicated (POD) collation shrink film, which includes 30 percent recycled polyethylene (PE) at K2019.

Obstacles to free trade stand in the way of sustainability

| “I think we can agree that there is no place for quotas, tariffs and bans in the scrap industry,” insisted Greg Schnitzer of US-based Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. in Budapest on October 15.

Measuring the polymer composition directly at the recycling machine

| The demand for quality in plastics recycling is increasing constantly. Achieving a circular economy for plastics relies on higher proportions of recycled pellets being used in end products - and increasingly in challenging consumer goods.

Brexit adds complexity to already-difficult market conditions

| The textiles recycling industry is suffering from a combination of high supply, falling quality and payment issues among some customers, stated Martin Böschen of Switzerland-based TEXAID in his summary of market reports delivered to the BIR Textiles Division meeting on October 14.

DSM: Bio- and/or recycled-based alternatives for engineering plastics

| Royal DSM has announces at the K-Show that its engineering plastics business will offer a full alternative range of its existing portfolio based on bio- and/or recycled-based materials by 2030.

Euroslag calls for fair treatment of ferrous slags

| The message of the 10th Euroslag conference from 8th to 11th October 2019 in Thessaloniki was clear: the increased use of building materials and fertilisers produced from ferrous slags would further promote the circular economy and conserve more natural resources.

Outlook for Europe’s recovered fibre surplus

| Over the course of the next three to four years, Turkey could provide a home for a significant proportion of Europe’s recovered fibre surplus, it was indicated at the latest meeting of the BIR Paper Division.

“No way back” following transformation in scrap trade flows

| According to David Chiao of US-based Uni-All Group Ltd, the main issues affecting non-ferrous scrap businesses at present are the US/China trade war, political instability around the world and a widespread decline in manufacturing, with some countries’ automotive industries recording 10% production drops over the recent period.

Erema opens Circonomic Centre

| Plastics recycling, the circular economy and successful examples of closed plastics cycles are the focus of attention at EREMA's Circonomic Centre, which was opened in outdoor area FG 09.1.