Brook + Whittle’s GreenLabel BlockOut product is a crystallizable shrink sleeve, which is used with de-inkable inks and a functional barrier coating. | Courtesy of Brook + Whittle
A Connecticut-based manufacturer of shrink sleeves and flexible packaging has secured a U.S. patent for a coating that both blocks light and works in the existing recycling system. Continue Reading
Heartland developed hemp-based materials that can be used as additives in plastic compounds. | StanislauV/Shutterstock
A Detroit-based startup that uses natural fiber as plastic additives has secured an investment from a German business incubator. Continue Reading
Plastic Odyssey has stopped in 20 countries over the last year and a half, working to connect local plastics recycling stakeholders and share recycling knowledge. | Photo courtesy Plastic Odyssey
It’s been nearly 18 months since a 128-foot vessel embarked on a global voyage to share knowledge and equipment with communities facing plastic pollution management challenges. A leader of the Plastic Odyssey project reported on the progress in an interview. Continue Reading
The FDA gave a nod to several recycled resin products for food-contact use in various temperatures. | Vershinin89/Shutterstock
In the last half of 2023, numerous plastics recycling processes received the greenlight for use in food and drink packaging production. Continue Reading
Security Matters’s scanning technology uses a chemical-based “hidden barcode” system to identify plastics. | Nagy-Bagoly_Arpad/Shutterstock
A new partnership is working to use digitization technology to better identify plastics with different additives or chemistries.
Bollegraaf and Greyparrot have formed a strategic partnership to roll out AI to more MRFs. | Courtesy of Bollegraaf
In a unique move for the recycling industry, a recycling equipment manufacturer has partnered with an AI analytics company, turning over its intellectual property and buying a non-controlling stake to accelerate AI adoption. Continue Reading
Resynergi’s Evolucient Continuous Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis technology uses microwave energy to break down HDPE, LDPE, PP and PS into pyrolysis oil. | Courtesy of Resynergi
Pyrolysis start-up Resynergi raised $6.4 million in series B funding to bring its modular Continuous Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis technology to commercial scale. Continue Reading
A European Food Safety Authority panel reviewed over two dozen applications to recycle post-consumer PET into food and drink packaging during the past six months. | CalypsoArt/Shutterstock
A food safety scientific panel has approved the use of post-consumer PET recycling technologies from Bandera, Erema, Gneuss, NGR, Polymetrix, Starlinger and others. Continue Reading
The methanolysis unit at Eastman’s Kingsport, Tenn. campus. | Courtesy of Eastman Chemical
Eastman Chemical says about 25,000 metric tons of scrap polyester have been preprocessed and are ready for recycling in the company’s new chemical recycling unit, which is slated to come on-line in coming weeks. Continue Reading
Aeternal Upcycling’s hydrogenolysis technology originates from work that co-founder Ryan Hackler conducted at the Argonne National Laboratory. | Courtesy of Aeternal Upcycling
When Ryan Hackler was 8 years old, the Olympic Pipeline exploded in a park not far from where he lived in Bellingham, Wash., killing three young people and devastating about 26 acres near the heart of the city. Continue Reading