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Tag Archives: technology

How a pyrolysis firm handles EnergyBag plastics

Published: January 27, 2021
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Nexus truck and tanks.

The CEO of Nexus Fuels told Plastics Recycling Update how his company uses its pyrolysis technology to convert the mix of post-consumer plastics collected at the curb into chemical and wax products. | Nexus Fuels

For the past two years, difficult-to-recycle plastics have been collected in Cobb County, Ga. through the Hefty EnergyBag program. A downstream processor recently described what happens to that material.

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How the use of robotics is evolving at sorting facilities

Published: January 13, 2021
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AMP Robotics tandem gripper.

A leader with AMP Robotics says artificial intelligence has changed how robotics can be incorporated into recycling facilities. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics.

A recycling facility operator and a robotics company say artificial intelligence is providing materials recovery firms with much-needed data to analyze changes in the recycling stream. That’s in addition to sortation improvements.

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Slew of food-contact PET approvals issued

Published: January 13, 2021
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Empty PET drink bottles on a blue background.

Approvals were given to two technologies to recycle post-consumer PET bottles into new food and drink packaging. | alenka2194/Shutterstock

A European authority gave the thumbs up to using Starlinger and EREMA technologies to recycle post-consumer PET for use in food and drink packaging.

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Loop: Outside review disproves ‘smoke and mirrors’ allegations

Published: December 16, 2020
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Closeup of baled plastic bottles.

A research firm found that Loop’s process breaks down scrap PET into material streams that are pure enough to be used to make new PET. | noisuk Photo/Shutterstock

To counter accusations that its technology claims are bogus, Loop Industries has released the results of an independent review confirming its PET depolymerization process works.

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Packaging products receive recyclability recognition

Published: December 16, 2020
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Rubber stamp of the word "Passed"

A number of packaging innovations were recently tested and confirmed as compatible with recycling systems. | Castleski/Shutterstock

Recent testing has shown that several bottle label innovations and a barrier tube package are compatible with plastics recycling processes, according to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR).

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Plastics giants announce recycling moves

Published: December 1, 2020
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Nexus truck and tanks.

Atlanta-based Nexus Fuels signed an agreement to supply pyrolysis liquid derived from scrap plastics to Shell. | Courtesy of Shell.

The world’s largest PET producer will put massive sums of money into boosting RPET production capacity, and petrochemical companies recently described new chemical recycling collaborations.
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Northeast state passes chemical recycling bill

Published: December 2, 2020
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View of the Pennsylvania state capitol and surrounding buildings.

The legislation ensures pyrolysis plants and other chemical recycling facilities are regulated as manufacturers, rather than solid waste operations. | Cascade Creatives/Shutterstock

Pennsylvania’s governor signed legislation that eases the regulatory environment for facilities that use certain technologies to process scrap plastics.

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Loop Industries challenged by setbacks and legal strife

Published: November 11, 2020
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A law office scene with gavel and scales.

Last month, Loop Industries disclosed it was being sued by investors and that federal regulators had issued it a subpoena for documents. | Zolnierek/Shutterstock

Troubles are mounting for PET depolymerization startup Loop Industries. It has lost a key supply contract and also faces lawsuits and an investigation by regulators.

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AmSty aims to increase PCR in food packaging

Published: November 11, 2020
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Polystyrene food containers.

American Styrenics noted that chemical recycling technologies will be key to helping it achieve its goals of boosting recycled-content in foodservice packaging. | Karina Serova/Shutterstock

Polystyrene producer Americas Styrenics announced a goal of having 25% recycled content in foodservice and food packaging products by 2030.

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