Much like the FDA does in North America, the EFSA evaluates which materials can be used in food and beverage packaging. | Jared Paben/Plastics Recycling Update
A European food safety panel has given the green light to a couple dozen companies seeking to use Bandera, Erema, Polymetrix and Starlinger recycling technologies to produce food-grade RPET. Continue Reading
The two companies have been collaborating for over a year on an enzymatic depolymerization method that they say results in “virgin-like” products. | Courtesy of Carbios
Indorama Ventures and biotech company Carbios are planning a joint effort to build a PET biorecycling facility in France. Continue Reading
Throughout Europe and North America, researchers and chemical companies are making strides in recycling technology. | Courtesy of Polykar
A research institute developed a recycled plastic deodorizing process, and a packaging maker installed a system for recycling heavily printed LDPE film scrap. The following are details on those and other recent technology-related announcements: Continue Reading
A view inside T3’s PET recycling facility, which produces hot washed flakes, in Athi River, Kenya. | Courtesy of T3 Limited
When it comes to PET bottle recycling in Kenya, a lot will sound familiar to North American audiences: demand for food-grade RPET outpaces supply, collection remains a challenge, and companies want to shorten supply chains. Continue Reading
The new $2.5 million plastics recycling laboratory at PRI’s Indianapolis compounding facility. | Courtesy of Plastic Recycling Inc. (PRI)
Plastic Recycling Inc. is set to build out a fully outfitted laboratory and install extrusion lines that will boost recycling capacity by 60 million pounds per year. It’s also expanding its e-plastic sorting capabilities. Continue Reading
The shelters can house four people for 10-plus years. | Courtesy of University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham researchers recently debuted a temporary shelter made from 100% recycled materials, meant to help refugees or others in need.
Pedro José Cabrera Haché hopes the line will give his company, Cilpen Global, a greater presence in the Dominican Republic. | Hyoto Graphics/Shutterstock
The installation of the first PET wash line in the Dominican Republic will allow a local reclaimer to process a sizable percentage of all bottle scrap generated in the country into food-grade flake. Continue Reading
A ribbon-cutting ceremony last week at the Agilyx plant in Oregon drew a mix of business and government representatives, including one major PS producer who said the technology could help stem consumer backlash against foam plastics.
Copyright Imperial College London, Thomas Angus, 2017.
A team of college students in the U.K. is developing a low-cost instrument to allow manual sorters to quickly recognize different resins.
An industry-backed demonstration project is taking place at a former Far West Recycling facility in Portland, Ore. | Jared Paben / Resource Recycling, Inc.
Last week marked the start of a two-month effort to sort a variety of resins from loads of material otherwise bound for disposal. The goal is to develop a pool of data that can help guide future industry investments.