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Photo Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited
08.08.2023

Indorama Ventures almost triples PET recycling capacity in Brazil

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, one of the world’s largest producers of recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin, announced the completion of the expansion of its recycling facility in Brazil, supported by a ‘Blue Loan’ from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank.

The recycling facility, located in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is increasing its production capacity from 9 thousand tons to 25 thousand tons per year of PET made from post-consumer recycled (PET-PCR) material. The project is part of Indorama Ventures’ Vision 2030 ambition to continue building a sustainable global company, including spending $1.5 billion to increase its recycling capacity to 50 billion PET bottles per year by 2025.

PET is a unique and widely used plastic for water and soda bottles and the most recycled plastic in the world. Indorama Ventures, the world’s largest provider of recycled PET resin used to make beverage bottles, invested US$20 million to optimize its Brazil facility’s processes and acquire new equipment such as washing machines to help remove labels, grind bottles in water and reduce water consumption by 70%.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, one of the world’s largest producers of recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin, announced the completion of the expansion of its recycling facility in Brazil, supported by a ‘Blue Loan’ from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank.

The recycling facility, located in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is increasing its production capacity from 9 thousand tons to 25 thousand tons per year of PET made from post-consumer recycled (PET-PCR) material. The project is part of Indorama Ventures’ Vision 2030 ambition to continue building a sustainable global company, including spending $1.5 billion to increase its recycling capacity to 50 billion PET bottles per year by 2025.

PET is a unique and widely used plastic for water and soda bottles and the most recycled plastic in the world. Indorama Ventures, the world’s largest provider of recycled PET resin used to make beverage bottles, invested US$20 million to optimize its Brazil facility’s processes and acquire new equipment such as washing machines to help remove labels, grind bottles in water and reduce water consumption by 70%.

In November 2020, the IFC provided $300 million in Blue Loan funding to Indorama Ventures with the objective of increasing recycling capacity and diverting plastic waste from landfills and oceans in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, and Brazil—countries which are grappling with mismanaged waste and serious plastic waste in the environment. Blue Loan funds are certified and tracked for projects that support sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. Indorama Ventures has secured a total US$2.4 billion in long-term sustainable financing from various financial institutions between 2018–2022 to support sustainability projects.

Source:

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited 

07.08.2023

SOEX geht Partnerschaft mit CIRCULAR REPUBLIC ein

SOEX und CIRCULAR REPUBLIC bilden gemeinsam eine strategische Allianz, um die Prinzipien der Kreislaufwirtschaft im Unternehmen weiter voranzutreiben und in eine wohlhabende, widerstandsfähige und nachhaltige Zukunft zu investieren. Das langfristige Ziel der Zusammenarbeit: Den Kreislauf entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette der Textilindustrie zu schließen.

Durch die Partnerschaft wird SOEX nun Teil einer internationalen Bewegung, die darauf abzielt, die Art und Weise zu reformieren, wie die Wirtschaft in den letzten zwei Jahrhunderten agierte. Das lineare System aus Produzieren, Verbrauchen, Entsorgen soll in einen Kreislauf gebogen werden. Bei diesem Vorhaben folgt der Arbeitskreis „Circular Textile Platform“ einem einfachen Prinzip: Weniger Ressourcen verschwenden, indem sie in Gebrauch gehalten werden – mit der großen Vision von einer Welt ohne Müll. Gemeinsam mit einem Netzwerk aus Unternehmen, Initiativen, Stakeholdern und Vertretern der Wissenschaft, vereint über die Plattform CIRCULAR REPUBLIC arbeitet SOEX nun vermehrt an neuen kreislauffähigen Strukturen um diese Vision Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen.

SOEX und CIRCULAR REPUBLIC bilden gemeinsam eine strategische Allianz, um die Prinzipien der Kreislaufwirtschaft im Unternehmen weiter voranzutreiben und in eine wohlhabende, widerstandsfähige und nachhaltige Zukunft zu investieren. Das langfristige Ziel der Zusammenarbeit: Den Kreislauf entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette der Textilindustrie zu schließen.

Durch die Partnerschaft wird SOEX nun Teil einer internationalen Bewegung, die darauf abzielt, die Art und Weise zu reformieren, wie die Wirtschaft in den letzten zwei Jahrhunderten agierte. Das lineare System aus Produzieren, Verbrauchen, Entsorgen soll in einen Kreislauf gebogen werden. Bei diesem Vorhaben folgt der Arbeitskreis „Circular Textile Platform“ einem einfachen Prinzip: Weniger Ressourcen verschwenden, indem sie in Gebrauch gehalten werden – mit der großen Vision von einer Welt ohne Müll. Gemeinsam mit einem Netzwerk aus Unternehmen, Initiativen, Stakeholdern und Vertretern der Wissenschaft, vereint über die Plattform CIRCULAR REPUBLIC arbeitet SOEX nun vermehrt an neuen kreislauffähigen Strukturen um diese Vision Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen.

Die SOEX-Gruppe versteht sich selbst als wichtiger Akteur im Kreislauf, der dafür sorgen kann, dass Ressourcen wiederverwendet oder verwertet werden, um diese zu schonen und Abfall zu vermeiden. Das oberste Ziel der SOEX-Gruppe ist dabei, gebrauchte Textilien zu 100 Prozent im Produktkreislauf zu halten.

Durch die Partnerschaft mit CIRCULAR REPUBLIC erhält SOEX Zugang zu einem Start-up-Ökosystem, das Verbindungen zwischen Partnern knüpft und ein Umfeld des Austauschs schafft. Außerdem kann die SOEX-Gruppe mittels Lernprogramme zum Thema Kreislaufwirtschaft weiter an der Unternehmensphilosophie feilen und erhält Zugang zu den neuesten Forschungsergebnissen, um Unternehmensaktivitäten zielführend am Stand der Wissenschaft orientieren zu können. CIRCULAR REPUBLIC hilft SOEX zudem, sein bereits international verknüpftes Partnernetzwerk aus Wissenschaft und Industrie weiter auszubauen und bringt Vertreter der Textilbranche an einen Tisch. Gemeinsam will man so systemverändernde Auswirkungen erzielen, die Wertschöpfungsketten revolutionieren und den Weg für eine nachhaltige und regenerative Zukunft ebnen.

Manfred Hackl, CEO der EREMA Group Copyright: Erema Group
Manfred Hackl, CEO der EREMA Group
03.08.2023

Lindner & Erema gründen gemeinsame Holding

Erema Group und die Lindner Holding gründen gemeinsam die Holding BLUEONE Solutions, um die Expertise aus beiden Unternehmen zu bündeln und durch gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte Branchenstandards im Kunststoffrecycling zu schaffen.

Vom Abfall bis hin zum recycelten Granulat durchlaufen potentielle neue Rohstoffe mehrere unterschiedliche Recyclingprozesse. Diese reichen vom Sortieren, dem Zerkleinern, Waschen und Trocknen bis hin zur Extrusion inkl. Filtrierung, Compoundierung sowie Geruchsoptimierung.

In der optimalen Feinabstimmung der einzelnen Recyclingschritte liegt die Herausforderung der Branche – insbesondere, wenn Energieeffizienz und hohe Rezyklatqualitäten erreicht werden sollen. Mit der Gründung von BLUEONE Solutions, einem Unternehmen an dem die Erema Group und die Lindner Holding jeweils 50 % halten und in die Anteile der Lindner Washtech eingebracht wurden, soll da angesetzt werden. Durch Abstimmungs- und Optimierungsprozesse sowie durch neue gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte, wird die Wertschöpfungstiefe deutlich erhöht und neue Branchenstandards gesetzt.

Erema Group und die Lindner Holding gründen gemeinsam die Holding BLUEONE Solutions, um die Expertise aus beiden Unternehmen zu bündeln und durch gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte Branchenstandards im Kunststoffrecycling zu schaffen.

Vom Abfall bis hin zum recycelten Granulat durchlaufen potentielle neue Rohstoffe mehrere unterschiedliche Recyclingprozesse. Diese reichen vom Sortieren, dem Zerkleinern, Waschen und Trocknen bis hin zur Extrusion inkl. Filtrierung, Compoundierung sowie Geruchsoptimierung.

In der optimalen Feinabstimmung der einzelnen Recyclingschritte liegt die Herausforderung der Branche – insbesondere, wenn Energieeffizienz und hohe Rezyklatqualitäten erreicht werden sollen. Mit der Gründung von BLUEONE Solutions, einem Unternehmen an dem die Erema Group und die Lindner Holding jeweils 50 % halten und in die Anteile der Lindner Washtech eingebracht wurden, soll da angesetzt werden. Durch Abstimmungs- und Optimierungsprozesse sowie durch neue gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte, wird die Wertschöpfungstiefe deutlich erhöht und neue Branchenstandards gesetzt.

Die Erema Group ist seit 40 Jahren im Kunststoffrecycling tätig und gilt als der Marktführer im Bereich der Extrusion. Lindner, seit 75 Jahren Qualitätshersteller von Schreddern und Recyclinganlagen für die Abfallwirtschaft, ist mit der Marke Lindner Washtech seit 10 Jahren als Waschanlagen-Spezialist weltweit präsent. Gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte, wie beispielsweise die Versuchsanlagen in der LIT Factory an der Johannes-Kepler-Universität (JKU) Linz, haben die Firmen bereits vor Jahren in einen intensiven fachlichen Austausch treten lassen.

Optimierung der Recyclingprozesse
Mit der Gründung von BLUEONE Solutions liegt der Fokus auf der Weiterentwicklung des Kunststoffrecyclings. Lindner bringt die Erfahrung im Aufbereiten von Abfallströmen und die Expertise im Waschen und Erema das Know-how im Bereich Extrudieren und Filtrieren mit ein. Synergien sollen genutzt und die Optimierungen des Gesamtkreislaufes ermöglicht werden.
„Essenziell für eine funktionierende Recyclingwirtschaft wird sein, dass die gesamte Prozess- bzw. Wertschöpfungskette – von der Abfallsammlung und Aufbereitung über das Recycling bis hin zum Kunststoff-Endprodukt – im Fokus der agierenden Unternehmen steht. Durch diesen Firmenzusammenschluss schaffen Erema und Lindner ein besseres Gesamtverständnis, um dadurch speziell im Polyolefinebereich die erforderliche Weiterentwicklung gemeinsam zu prägen“, erklärt Manfred Hackl, CEO der EREMA Group. „Im Detail betrachtet, können der Recyclingextruder, die vorgeschaltete Waschanlage sowie Materialhandling optimal aufeinander abgestimmt werden, so dass Qualitätsstandards bestmöglich erfüllt und Energiekosten optimiert werden können – dank prozessübergreifender Steuerung & Monitoring, gestützt durch digitale Lösungen. In Zukunft werden wir perfekt abgestimmte All-in-one-Lösungen anbieten, die es unseren Kunden ermöglichen, ein Gesamtpaket zu kaufen, das exakt auf ihre Anwendungen abgestimmt ist.“

More information:
EREMA EREMA Group Lindner Recycling
Source:

EREMA Group GmbH

(c) Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Smarte Kreisläufe
02.08.2023

Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum: Innovative Lösungen für textile Unternehmen

Am 17. und 18. Juli 2023 informierten sich Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer der Veranstaltung „Textil Innovativ – Technologien für Mobilität und Schutz“ über Trends, Herausforderungen und Lösungen für moderne Mobilität sowie Persönliche Schutzausrüstung (PSA) in Verbindung mit Digitalisierung und Recycling. Zudem wurde zur „Datenbasierten Wertschöpfung in der Textilindustrie“ diskutiert.

Mobilität in der Zukunft ist digital, komfortabel und natürlich nachhaltig. Der Schalter für die Sitzheizung ist in die textile Oberfläche der Mittelkonsole integriert. Das Gewebe der Sitzfläche heizt oder kühlt – je nach Bedarf. Der Dachhimmel leuchtet. Die Karosserie ist leicht und stabil, um Sprit zu sparen und trotzdem bei Unfällen zu schützen. Referenten und Aussteller zeigten, wie sie den besonderen Anforderungen an Maschinen, Produktionsprozesse sowie die neuen Materialien selbst gerecht werden.

Am 17. und 18. Juli 2023 informierten sich Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer der Veranstaltung „Textil Innovativ – Technologien für Mobilität und Schutz“ über Trends, Herausforderungen und Lösungen für moderne Mobilität sowie Persönliche Schutzausrüstung (PSA) in Verbindung mit Digitalisierung und Recycling. Zudem wurde zur „Datenbasierten Wertschöpfung in der Textilindustrie“ diskutiert.

Mobilität in der Zukunft ist digital, komfortabel und natürlich nachhaltig. Der Schalter für die Sitzheizung ist in die textile Oberfläche der Mittelkonsole integriert. Das Gewebe der Sitzfläche heizt oder kühlt – je nach Bedarf. Der Dachhimmel leuchtet. Die Karosserie ist leicht und stabil, um Sprit zu sparen und trotzdem bei Unfällen zu schützen. Referenten und Aussteller zeigten, wie sie den besonderen Anforderungen an Maschinen, Produktionsprozesse sowie die neuen Materialien selbst gerecht werden.

Auch das Thema Persönliche Schutzausrüstung (PSA) birgt für Unternehmen Herausforderungen. Viele Funktionen, wie beispielsweise Hitzeschutz, erfordern eine spezielle chemische Ausrüstung der Textilien. Diese unterliegt jedoch häufig umweltschutzrechtlichen Einschränkungen und Verboten. Worauf Unternehmen bei der Produktion von PSA achten müssen, wurde ebenfalls erörtert.

Welche Potenziale die Digitalisierung für genau diese Anforderungen bietet, wurde in der Veranstaltung ebenfalls deutlich. Der Digitale Produktpass kommt. Er ist Teil eines EU-weiten Maßnahmenpakets zur Förderung von Ökodesign und Ressourceneffizienz und soll den Verbraucher informieren, wo das Produkt herkommt, woraus es besteht oder wie man es reparieren kann. Die Umsetzung betrifft alle Branchen und Dienstleistungen, mit weitreichenden Auswirkungen auf die unternehmerischen Geschäftsprozesse. Das setzt eine gewaltige Datenmenge voraus. Wie datenbasierte Wertschöpfung in der Textilindustrie funktioniert, war Thema in der abschließenden Diskussionsrunde.  

An welchen Stellen das Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Smarte Kreisläufe kleine und mittlere Unternehmen unterstützen kann, erläuterte die Geschäftsführerin Anja Merker in einem Pitch-Beitrag sowie an einem Informationsstand vor Ort. Das Angebot des Zentrums umfasst nicht nur reine Wissensvermittlung zum Unternehmen der Zukunft in Verbindung mit Digitalisierung und Künstliche Intelligenz. Die Partner geben Orientierung und bilden Ihre Mitarbeiter weiter, entwickeln gemeinsam Ideen in Workshops und erarbeiten mit Ihnen Konzepte, die Sie im Unternehmen umsetzen können.

Source:

Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e. V. / Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Smarte Kreisläufe

28.07.2023

RadiciGroup: Bibs made from recyclable materials for UCI Cycling World Championships

On the occasion of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the Union Cycliste Internationale chose Santini to make the bibs from recyclable materials. The UCI's partner brought together a pool of companies, all in the Bergamo area (Italy): RadiciGroup, Sitip, EFI Reggiani and Acerbis.

In 2022, the Union Cycliste Internationale released the UCI Climate Action Charter, which lays out an action plan to advance the environmental sustainability of the sport with a specific principle to reduce waste and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. This year, the UCI Cycling World Championships, which will be held from 3 to 13 August, are bringing together most of the cycling disciplines in a single location: Glasgow and across Scotland.

On the occasion of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the Union Cycliste Internationale chose Santini to make the bibs from recyclable materials. The UCI's partner brought together a pool of companies, all in the Bergamo area (Italy): RadiciGroup, Sitip, EFI Reggiani and Acerbis.

In 2022, the Union Cycliste Internationale released the UCI Climate Action Charter, which lays out an action plan to advance the environmental sustainability of the sport with a specific principle to reduce waste and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. This year, the UCI Cycling World Championships, which will be held from 3 to 13 August, are bringing together most of the cycling disciplines in a single location: Glasgow and across Scotland.

To mark the occasion, the UCI turned to its Official Partner, Santini, to make the bibs that the staff (judges, volunteers, commissaires etc.) and accredited photographers wear throughout the event. The bibs are "eco-designed", which means they are specifically created to have a second life after use. Once the event is over, the bibs could be collected and sent to RadiciGroup and transformed into new material, to be then processed by Acerbis to create X-Elite handguards for mountain bikes. This project is a concrete example of the circular economy at work, allowing 100% of the materials used to be recovered.

To optimise the production cycle of the bibs for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the products must be eco-friendly from the very first phase. The fabrics were therefore made from Italian nylon yarn produced by RadiciGroup. The choice of nylon – an infinitely recyclable thermoplastic material – is intertwined with UCI's sustainability goals for "limited-use" garments: RadiciGroup was able to channel its know-how and expertise in the field of chemistry to create "circular" bibs, working alongside the other partners. As the innovative yarn selected by RadiciGroup allows for easy and high-quality printing, the fabric is also customisable. The yarn is then provided to Sitip to create the "ARAS NG" warp-knitted fabric (95 g/100 m2): a recyclable single-fibre material made from 100% polyamide. The resulting fabric is the first nylon of its kind, designed to meet the transfer printing needs of the third project partner, EFI Reggiani, as well as the recyclability standards requested by RadiciGroup. The choice of fabric was born from extensive applied research, in which EFI Reggiani tested a wide range of fabrics to find the best colour results and the best resistance to rubbing and perspiration, which is vital for the bibs' intended use. In addition to using the new GOTS-certified EFI Reggiani IRIS Plus water-based inks, EFI Reggiani opted for a printing solution on transfer paper that does not consume water and requires a minimal amount of energy per square metre. Finally, the white fabric from Sitip and the transfer paper printed by EFI Reggiani arrived at Santini, who were responsible for transferring all the graphics for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships bibs from the paper onto the fabric. Santini also took care to assemble the garments using only thread and components made from nylon or chemically similar materials, allowing the bibs to enter the recycling process at the end of their lives without any further processing.                   

Source:

RadiciGroup

26.07.2023

Design for Recycling: Mindeststandards berücksichtigen Anliegen der Recycler

Der Entwurf „Mindeststandards für die Bemessung der Recyclingfähigkeit von systembeteiligungspflichtigen Verpackungen“ findet die Zustimmung des bvse-Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung.

Design4Recycling 500x500pxIn einem Schreiben an die Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister machen bvse-Geschäftsführer Thomas Braun und bvse-Referent Dr. habil. Thomas Probst deutlich, dass der nunmehr zum fünften Male weiter entwickelte Mindeststandard aus Sicht des bvse sorgfältig erstellt wurde und die Anliegen der Recycler berücksichtigt.

Der bvse hebt hervor, dass die Mindeststandards inzwischen so ausgestaltet sind, dass die praktische Recycelbarkeit der Verpackungen immer mehr Berücksichtigung findet. So werden Verpackungen nicht nur daran gemessen, dass die verwendeten Materialien grundsätzlich für das Recycling geeignet sind, sondern es findet auch Berücksichtigung, ob die Verpackung nach bestimmungsgemäßer Entleerung noch einen Füllgutrest enthält, der die Recyclingfähigkeit beeinträchtigt. Außerdem muss beispielsweise die Trennbarkeit der Verpackungskomponenten sichergestellt sein, sofern das für ein hochwertiges werkstoffliches Recycling erforderlich ist.

Der Entwurf „Mindeststandards für die Bemessung der Recyclingfähigkeit von systembeteiligungspflichtigen Verpackungen“ findet die Zustimmung des bvse-Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung.

Design4Recycling 500x500pxIn einem Schreiben an die Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister machen bvse-Geschäftsführer Thomas Braun und bvse-Referent Dr. habil. Thomas Probst deutlich, dass der nunmehr zum fünften Male weiter entwickelte Mindeststandard aus Sicht des bvse sorgfältig erstellt wurde und die Anliegen der Recycler berücksichtigt.

Der bvse hebt hervor, dass die Mindeststandards inzwischen so ausgestaltet sind, dass die praktische Recycelbarkeit der Verpackungen immer mehr Berücksichtigung findet. So werden Verpackungen nicht nur daran gemessen, dass die verwendeten Materialien grundsätzlich für das Recycling geeignet sind, sondern es findet auch Berücksichtigung, ob die Verpackung nach bestimmungsgemäßer Entleerung noch einen Füllgutrest enthält, der die Recyclingfähigkeit beeinträchtigt. Außerdem muss beispielsweise die Trennbarkeit der Verpackungskomponenten sichergestellt sein, sofern das für ein hochwertiges werkstoffliches Recycling erforderlich ist.

"Wir begrüßen die im vorliegenden Entwurf enthaltenen Änderungen und Ergänzungen bei den systembeteiligungspflichtigen Verpackungen, dies umfasst insbesondere die Fraktionen PPK, Kunststoffe und Glas. Durch diese Vorgaben wird deren Recyclingfähigkeit voran gebracht. Änderungen oder Ergänzungen am Mindeststandard sind in der vorliegenden Entwurfsfassung daher nicht notwendig", betonen Thomas Braun und Thomas Probst.

In der Stellungnahme weist der bvse jedoch darauf hin, dass eine stringente Umsetzung der im Mindeststandard definierten Kriterien durch die Systeme zwingend erforderlich ist, um die anspruchsvollen Quotenvorgaben aus dem VerpackG, die zum 1. Januar 2022 nochmals deutlich erhöht wurden, zu erfüllen.

Abschließend mahnen die bvse-Vertreter jedoch an, dass ein Weg gefunden und umgesetzt werden müsse, wie recyclinggerechte Verpackungen bei der Lizensierung gefördert werden können. Denn das würde die Lenkungswirkung beim Design for Recycling noch weiter verbessern.

Source:

bvse-Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung

26.07.2023

Fashion for Good partners join forces with fastfeetgrinded for circular footwear

Fashion for Good launches new pilot with brand partners adidas, Inditex, Target and Zalando, and footwear recycling innovator FastFeetGrinded to test and validate the innovative footwear recycling process to support the uptake of recycled content in footwear, driving the change towards a more circular footwear industry.

Globally, 24 billion shoes are added to the market each year*, and a staggering 90% of shoes are either landfilled or incinerated*. To tackle this challenge, Fashion for Good has launched a new pilot with partners adidas, Inditex, Target and Zalando, in collaboration with innovator FastFeetGrinded, aiming to test and validate the footwear recycling process and support the uptake of recycled materials in footwear. FastFeetGrinded possesses the unique capability to deconstruct any type of pre- and post-consumer shoe, breaking it down into its macro-components. These macro-components are then subsequently grinded down into smaller high purity granulates which FastFeetGrinded may use to create material streams for repurposed use.

Fashion for Good launches new pilot with brand partners adidas, Inditex, Target and Zalando, and footwear recycling innovator FastFeetGrinded to test and validate the innovative footwear recycling process to support the uptake of recycled content in footwear, driving the change towards a more circular footwear industry.

Globally, 24 billion shoes are added to the market each year*, and a staggering 90% of shoes are either landfilled or incinerated*. To tackle this challenge, Fashion for Good has launched a new pilot with partners adidas, Inditex, Target and Zalando, in collaboration with innovator FastFeetGrinded, aiming to test and validate the footwear recycling process and support the uptake of recycled materials in footwear. FastFeetGrinded possesses the unique capability to deconstruct any type of pre- and post-consumer shoe, breaking it down into its macro-components. These macro-components are then subsequently grinded down into smaller high purity granulates which FastFeetGrinded may use to create material streams for repurposed use.

Through this collaborative pilot, the partners will divert pre- and post-consumer footwear to FastFeetGrinded, who will transform them into various new material granulates. The next step involves FastFeetGrinded’s network of supply chain partners, who will produce output products, such as outsoles, midsoles, and flip flops. The brands will closely evaluate the products’ quality and purity, aiming to showcase the potential of FastFeetGrinded's footwear recycling technology and pave the way for scalable solutions.

*World Footwear Yearbook (2020). Footwear production with a new record of 24.3 billion pairs.
*Vivobarefoot. 22 billion pairs of shoes are dumped into landfill each year. It’s time for change.
*WRAP (2019) Valuing our Clothes.
*Material Innovation Initiative (2021). 2021 State of the Industry Report: Next-Gen Materials.

Source:

Fashion for Good

(c) gr3n
26.07.2023

gr3n: First manufacturing plant for depolymerization of PET in Spain

To reach its goal of being the world’s leading supplier of enhanced recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), gr3n is signing a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its shareholder Intecsa Industrial to set up a Joint Venture.

gr3n together with Intecsa Industrial will join forces and build a “First-of-a-Kind” manufacturing facility able to produce 40.000 tons of virgin-like PET, commencing EPC phase in Q4-2024 and aiming to be operational in 2027. gr3n’s chemical recycling technology is capable of processing PET from various industries including textile waste, closing the loop for hard-to-recycle PET applications.

To reach its goal of being the world’s leading supplier of enhanced recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), gr3n is signing a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its shareholder Intecsa Industrial to set up a Joint Venture.

gr3n together with Intecsa Industrial will join forces and build a “First-of-a-Kind” manufacturing facility able to produce 40.000 tons of virgin-like PET, commencing EPC phase in Q4-2024 and aiming to be operational in 2027. gr3n’s chemical recycling technology is capable of processing PET from various industries including textile waste, closing the loop for hard-to-recycle PET applications.

The world’s first industrial-scale MADE PET recycling plant will have the capability to process post-industrial and post-consumer PET waste including hard-to-recycle waste, to produce approximately 40.000 tons of virgin PET chips from the recycled monomers saving nearly 2 million tons of CO2 during its operating life. The post-consumer and/or post-industrial polyesters will be both from bottles (colored, colorless, transparent, opaque) and textiles (100% polyester but also mixtures of other materials like PU, cotton, polyether, polyurea, etc. with up to 30% of presence in the raw textile).

The technical concept of the MADE plant is to break down PET into its main components (monomers) so they can potentially be re-polymerized endlessly to provide brand new virgin PET or any other polymer using one of the monomers. Polymers obtained can be used to produce new bottles/trays and/or new garments, essentially completely displacing feedstock material from fossil fuels, as the recycled product has the same functionality as that derived traditionally. This means that gr3n can potentially achieve bottle-to-textile, textile-to-textile, or even textile-to-bottle recycling, moving from a linear to a circular system.

gr3n’s process has the potential to change the way PET is recycled worldwide, enabling huge benefits for both the recycling industry and the entire polyester value chain. Many efforts have been made in the past to transfer enhanced recycling from research laboratories to the manufacturing industry, but the economics and skepticism of the first adopters have constantly blocked the progress of the proposed solutions. Thanks to the MADE technology developed by gr3n, this approach is now feasible and makes gr3n one of the few companies with the potential to provide a reliable enhanced recycling solution that closes the life cycle of PET, and also offers food grade polymer material, processes a large variety of waste and reduces the carbon footprint of these materials usually destined for incineration or landfill.

More information:
gr3n PET Intecsa
Source:

gr3n

24.07.2023

Indorama Ventures and SMBC: Thailand’s first sustainability-linked Trade Finance facility

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) signed Thailand’s first sustainability-linked Trade Finance facility of US$50 million to support Indorama Ventures’ contributions to its ambitious sustainability commitment. This new facility reflects Indorama Ventures’ leadership in leveraging sustainable financing in Thailand.

The new facility is short-term working capital finance linked to the company’s sustainability performance targets, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 10% by 2025 (from a 2020 base), increasing post-consumer PET bale input for recycling to 750,000 tons by 2025, and boosting renewable electricity consumption to 25% by 2030.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) signed Thailand’s first sustainability-linked Trade Finance facility of US$50 million to support Indorama Ventures’ contributions to its ambitious sustainability commitment. This new facility reflects Indorama Ventures’ leadership in leveraging sustainable financing in Thailand.

The new facility is short-term working capital finance linked to the company’s sustainability performance targets, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 10% by 2025 (from a 2020 base), increasing post-consumer PET bale input for recycling to 750,000 tons by 2025, and boosting renewable electricity consumption to 25% by 2030.

Indorama Ventures has secured a total US$2.4 billion in long-term sustainable financing from various national and international financial institutions between 2018–2022. The funds are supporting the company’s expansion and sustainability projects in line with its strategy under Vision 2030 as a purposeful company with ESG at its core.

Source:

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited 

WOW 2023 (c) INDA Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
21.07.2023

WOW 2023 with Attendance Records

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the successful conclusion of the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 17-20, Atlanta, Georgia. More than 495 senior-level leaders convened for new intelligence, connections, and business, which was a record turnout for the WOW event.

The 17th edition of WOW featured almost 60 tabletop exhibits, 26 presentations, and two pre-conference webinars. The program introduced Lightning Talks, “supersized elevator speeches” covering new trends, products, and ideas, and a 1.5-day revised WIPES Academy training course. WOW also featured a mentorship program for participants new to the wipes industry.

The WOW speakers shared their expert insights in these key topics:

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the successful conclusion of the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference, July 17-20, Atlanta, Georgia. More than 495 senior-level leaders convened for new intelligence, connections, and business, which was a record turnout for the WOW event.

The 17th edition of WOW featured almost 60 tabletop exhibits, 26 presentations, and two pre-conference webinars. The program introduced Lightning Talks, “supersized elevator speeches” covering new trends, products, and ideas, and a 1.5-day revised WIPES Academy training course. WOW also featured a mentorship program for participants new to the wipes industry.

The WOW speakers shared their expert insights in these key topics:

  • Inflation, Supply Chain Issues, Capacity/Demand Balance
  • Plastic Policy: Closing the Intention-Action Gap
  • Sustainability and Manufacturing Practices
  • Consumer Market Data and Trends
  • Wipes Advancements
  • Transparency in the Supply Chain
  • Regulation, Innovation, Standards & Education in Flushability

World of Wipes Innovation Award®
The winner of the World of Wipes Innovation Award was the Nonwoven Wipe Using Biotransformation Technology developed by Indorama Ventures and Polymateria. This innovative 100% polypropylene spunlace wipe utilizes advanced biotransformation technology, meeting the BSI PAS 9017 specification. The wipe is compatible with mechanical recycling however, in the event it becomes fugitive, and exposed to heat, sunlight, air and moisture, will transform into a harmless, bioavailable wax at its end-of-life, returning safely to nature without leaving behind microplastics or toxins. This polypropylene wipe represents a significant leap towards eco-friendly, sustainable nonwoven hygiene products.

INDA announced that WOW 2024 will be held June 17-20, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

More information:
INDA WOW nonwovens
Source:

INDA Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

20.07.2023

VDMA Textile Machinery: Planned PFAS ban threatens important textile machine components

The EU's planned ban on the entire group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) would endanger many industrial processes, states VDMA Textile Machinery. Textile manufacturing would be affected twice – by missing important chemicals for technical textile production and by the lack of indispensable textile machine components. The latter would affect the whole supply chain from textile machinery manufacturers and its suppliers to the textile industry in the EU.

The EU's planned ban on the entire group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) would endanger many industrial processes, states VDMA Textile Machinery. Textile manufacturing would be affected twice – by missing important chemicals for technical textile production and by the lack of indispensable textile machine components. The latter would affect the whole supply chain from textile machinery manufacturers and its suppliers to the textile industry in the EU.

Solid PFAS parts are widely used in textile machinery production, especially where extreme conditions prevail. Verena Thies, Managing Shareholder Thies GmbH & Co. KG, explains: “Our textile dyeing machines are world leaders and set standards in efficiency and sustainability. They work under pressure at temperatures of up to 140° C using highly acidic, highly basic and/or oxidative or even reductive chemicals. This is precisely why PFAS is needed, for example, in seals and rings, flaps as well as valves for a long-lasting and high-quality machine concept – because there are no alternatives with qualitatively equivalent properties. In addition, PTFE semi-finished products enable a sliding and gentle contact with the textile fabric in ecologically important techniques in the transformation of textile wet finishing."

PTFE and also FKM are fluoropolymers (fluoroplastics and fluoroelastomers), a group within the broad PFAS range of about 10,000 substances which would be banned for production, use and sale in the EU. They are high-tech materials, and as so-called "polymers of low concern" are not a danger to the environment, according to the OECD. Furthermore, these components are installed inside a machine and exchanged or disposed of properly. PFAS such as PTFE and FKM must be exempted from the ban, demands the VDMA in its position paper.

"In this way, the association also supports the approach taken in Great Britain. With the 10,000 substances, everything is lumped together, although the various PFAS groups are very different," warns Dr Sarah Brückner, Head of VDMA Environmental Affairs and Sustainability. "We should take our cue from the UK and look at the substance groups in a differentiated way."
Apart from several types of dyeing machines, PFAS components are indispensable in textile drying machines (e.g., conveyor dryers, tumblers and stenters) and damping machines. They are also used in fully automatic chemical dispensing systems and pressure vessels for thermochemical treatment of textile recycling material, heat recovery systems and wastewater treatment technology. This means that a lot of machines needed for a sustainable textile production would be affected by the PFAS ban.

VDMA Textile Machinery will take part in the ongoing EU public consultation. The association will describe indispensable key functionalities and conditions of use in the textile machinery sector as well as the consequences for the companies and the customers in the EU if the ban is imposed. The consultation ends on September 25, 2023, and VDMA urged its members affected by the planned restriction to participate in the consultation at an early stage. This is the only way to ensure that the broad scope of the mechanical and plant engineering sector is represented.

More information:
VDMA Textilmaschinen PFAS
Source:

VDMA e. V.
Textile Machinery

 

19.07.2023

Change in leadership team at Renewcell

Toby Lawton, CFO at Renewcell AB (publ), has announced that he will leave his position for a similar position in another company. Toby will continue to work as CFO until a successor has been appointed or at the latest until the end of the year.

"Toby has been an appreciated and valuable member of the management team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the work he has done and the commitment he has shown", says Patrik Lundström, CEO.

Toby Lawton, CFO at Renewcell AB (publ), has announced that he will leave his position for a similar position in another company. Toby will continue to work as CFO until a successor has been appointed or at the latest until the end of the year.

"Toby has been an appreciated and valuable member of the management team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the work he has done and the commitment he has shown", says Patrik Lundström, CEO.

Source:

Re:NewCell AB

TEXAID x PUMA partnership for Swiss RE:FIBRE take back program Photo: TEXAID / Puma
19.07.2023

TEXAID x PUMA partnership for Swiss RE:FIBRE take back program

As a leading company in the collecting, sorting, reselling, and recycling of post-consumer textile waste, TEXAID has enabled the recycling of post-consumer textile waste into new textiles and clothing. Working together with brands and retailers, TEXAID and their partners are continuing to take action to shift from a linear to a circular system.

Today’s linear system of «take – make – waste» needs to change. New textiles are produced used and discarded instead of putting them to a second use. The production of new textiles requires natural resources that are limited, and the current system has a significant negative impact on our planet. The transition to a circular system, where garments are kept in use for longer, is an opportunity to harness untapped potential around customer loyalty, economic growth, and ecological sustainability. To move away from the linear system and enable products to be made out of post-consumer textile waste, TEXAID continues to expand its offering for in-store collection programs throughout Europe and the USA

As a leading company in the collecting, sorting, reselling, and recycling of post-consumer textile waste, TEXAID has enabled the recycling of post-consumer textile waste into new textiles and clothing. Working together with brands and retailers, TEXAID and their partners are continuing to take action to shift from a linear to a circular system.

Today’s linear system of «take – make – waste» needs to change. New textiles are produced used and discarded instead of putting them to a second use. The production of new textiles requires natural resources that are limited, and the current system has a significant negative impact on our planet. The transition to a circular system, where garments are kept in use for longer, is an opportunity to harness untapped potential around customer loyalty, economic growth, and ecological sustainability. To move away from the linear system and enable products to be made out of post-consumer textile waste, TEXAID continues to expand its offering for in-store collection programs throughout Europe and the USA

Aligned with the launch of the PUMA Switzerland 23/24 Women’s World Cup home jersey, PUMA and TEXAID have partnered for the Swiss division of their RE:FIBRE Program. PUMA is working to have a more sustainable, long-term solution for recycling polyester jerseys. To achieve this goal, they have developed their RE:FIBRE Program, which transforms textile waste, along with other used materials, into new textiles.

To enable this textile to textile program in Switzerland, specific feedstocks are requires, which is TEXAID’s role as the operator of the collection and sorting. Newly launched in the PUMA Zurich location at Jelmoli, customers can bring garments of all brands and deposit them in-store. TEXAID collects and sorts all deposited items, sending eligible polyester garments into the PUMA RE:FIBRE program, to be recycled into new garments. All other garments are channeled by TEXAID to their next life cycle.

Source:

TEXAID Textilverwertungs-AG

Freudenberg: Sustainable microfiber solution for artificial leather applications (c) Freudenberg Performance Materials Holding GmbH
Evolon® sustainable microfiber coating substrate for artificial leather
19.07.2023

Freudenberg: Sustainable microfiber solution for artificial leather applications

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will be presenting new applications for its European environmentally-friendly Evolon® microfiber technology for Fall/Winter 24/25 fashion and leather goods collections at Lineapelle, from September 19-21. These include solutions for artificial leather applications suitable for the shoe, furniture and automotive industries.

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will be presenting new applications for its European environmentally-friendly Evolon® microfiber technology for Fall/Winter 24/25 fashion and leather goods collections at Lineapelle, from September 19-21. These include solutions for artificial leather applications suitable for the shoe, furniture and automotive industries.

Evolon® sustainable microfiber coating substrates
Evolon® microfiber fabrics are ideal coating substrates for artificial leather applications in the shoe, furniture and car industries. They are particularly suitable as a carrier material for PU and PVC coatings. Evolon® microfiber materials have non-fraying edges, which makes converting easier and quicker. They contain 80% recycled PET from Freudenberg’s in-house bottle recycling plant. Furthermore, they are manufactured with no solvent and no chemical binder in the company’s Evolon® plant located in Colmar, France. The plant is accredited according to OEKO-TEX STeP sustainability manufacturing certification and the DETOX TO ZERO criteria. European manufacturing offers logistic benefits to European customers through shorter supply chain and transport routes.

Reinforcement material for leather goods
Manufacturers of leather goods also benefit from Evolon® microfiber when they use it as a reinforcement material for original leather. It is drapable and soft and provides optimal shaping support for leather. In addition, Evolon® materials offer important sustainability advantages for the manufacturing of luxury leather bags, such as being 100% made in Europe, eco-friendly and socially-responsible production, and the use of recycled raw materials.

Source:

Freudenberg Performance Materials Holding GmbH

RadiciGroup at Phygital Sustainability Expo photo: Phygital Sustainability Expo/RadiciGroup
07.07.2023

RadiciGroup at Phygital Sustainability Expo presenting Biofeel® eleven

RadiciGroup took part in the Phygital Sustainability Expo, this year in its fourth edition, which was held in Rome on 5 and 6 July. This event is entirely dedicated to the ecological transition of fashion and design brands through technological innovation. The show is an important platform for discussion on sustainable transition issues, involving Italian and international brands, fashion tech start-ups, representatives from the institutional, business and educational fields, and consumers.

RadiciGroup took part in the Phygital Sustainability Expo, this year in its fourth edition, which was held in Rome on 5 and 6 July. This event is entirely dedicated to the ecological transition of fashion and design brands through technological innovation. The show is an important platform for discussion on sustainable transition issues, involving Italian and international brands, fashion tech start-ups, representatives from the institutional, business and educational fields, and consumers.

RadiciGroup's participation in the event was further evidence of the Group's commitment to making a contribution to sustainability and circularity in the fashion and textile industry, in collaboration with all the other players in the supply chain. During the narrated fashion show, held on the evening of Wednesday, 5 July, in the evocative archaeological complex of the Imperial Forum Museum, RadiciGroup presented a maxi dress made of Biofeel® eleven, a yarn of completely natural origin featuring high technical, aesthetic and environmental performance. This yarn is produced starting from a small bean cultivated in India on semi-arid land and thus does not compete with human food production. These beans yield a special oil ideal for obtaining biopolymers, such as the one produced by Arkema and spun into yarn at RadiciGroup in Italy.

The dress is not only made from a low environmental impact raw material, but is also an example of ecodesign: the garment was realized on a Shima Seiki WholeGarment knitting machine, where the entire item was knit directly from spools of Biofeel® eleven yarn, bypassing the traditional stages of weaving and tailoring. It is a zero-waste process, as only the quantity of yarn strictly needed for the garment is used.

Biofeel® eleven yarn endows the dress with unique characteristics, including low moisture absorption, greater lightness and high resistance and durability. Besides being 100% biobased, the yarn is also 100% recyclable because it is made of a mono-material polymer, which facilitates its end-of-life recycling and processing into new materials suitable for any application requiring high performance.

ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers (APF) launch fibre made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles (c) ADVANSA
05.07.2023

ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers (APF) launch fibre made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles

ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers (APF) join forces to launch REMOTION®, a premium fibre for sports and activewear, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles with full end-to-end traceability from Prevented Ocean Plastic™. REMOTION® offers a solution for textiles that merges ocean protection with built-in biodegradability. The fibres break-down in marine environments to prevent microplastic pollution of the oceans, a problem which can be the consequence of fibre-shedding from apparel laundry waste-water.

Remotion® offers a solution with various sustainable features such as biodegradability and recyclability, with customized performance features such as anti-bacterial properties and moisture management built-in to the fibre. Moreover, the fibre is also offered in customer curated colours that guarantee very good colour fastness. Thus, this “all-in-one” fibre contributes to a sustainable and healthy environment with savings in water, energy, chemicals, and CO2. The fibre is available in a range of filament and staple options with two variants: REMOTION® Blue made from ocean-bound plastic bottles, REMOTION® Green made from domestic recycled plastic bottles.

ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers (APF) join forces to launch REMOTION®, a premium fibre for sports and activewear, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles with full end-to-end traceability from Prevented Ocean Plastic™. REMOTION® offers a solution for textiles that merges ocean protection with built-in biodegradability. The fibres break-down in marine environments to prevent microplastic pollution of the oceans, a problem which can be the consequence of fibre-shedding from apparel laundry waste-water.

Remotion® offers a solution with various sustainable features such as biodegradability and recyclability, with customized performance features such as anti-bacterial properties and moisture management built-in to the fibre. Moreover, the fibre is also offered in customer curated colours that guarantee very good colour fastness. Thus, this “all-in-one” fibre contributes to a sustainable and healthy environment with savings in water, energy, chemicals, and CO2. The fibre is available in a range of filament and staple options with two variants: REMOTION® Blue made from ocean-bound plastic bottles, REMOTION® Green made from domestic recycled plastic bottles.

REMOTION® Blue is a specially engineered polyester fibre made from ocean-bound plastic as a premium raw material with a social aspect. ADVANSA and APF are cooperating with Prevented Ocean Plastic™, a global recycling initiative that helps tens of thousands of people around the world to clean their coastlines, prevent ocean plastic pollution and earn additional income. Discarded plastic bottles are picked up by plastic collectors from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution and are taken to collection centres. The plastic bottles are then sorted out, cleaned and processed into raw material flakes which are used as a premium ingredient for REMOTION® Blue range of products.

ADVANSA and Asia Pacific Fibers are launching REMOTION® at the Performance Days in Munich from 3-5 October 2023.

Source:

ADVANSA

30.06.2023

17th World Pultrusion Conference - CALL FOR PAPERS

The EPTA – European Pultrusion Technology Association organizes in cooperation with the ACMA – American Composites Manufacturers Association - the 17th World Pultrusion Conference on 29th February – 1st March 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. The conference is one of the leading pultrusion events in the world. The event takes place just before the JEC World 2024 in Paris (5th – 7th March 2024).

The presentations are to document innovations in the following subject areas of
pultruded reinforced plastics:

  • Market development in Europe, USA, Asia
  • Innovative applications
  • New Markets: Ideas for potential new applications with pultruded shapes or
  • systems
  • Sustainability: Technical possibilities, recycling, etc.
  • Raw materials
    ○ Development of fibres
    ○ Development of resins
  • Construction / Testing / Calculation
  • Processes

The presentation language will be English. Deadline for paper submission (title, short abstract, speaker name and address) until 15th September 2023 to info@pultruders.com.

The EPTA – European Pultrusion Technology Association organizes in cooperation with the ACMA – American Composites Manufacturers Association - the 17th World Pultrusion Conference on 29th February – 1st March 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. The conference is one of the leading pultrusion events in the world. The event takes place just before the JEC World 2024 in Paris (5th – 7th March 2024).

The presentations are to document innovations in the following subject areas of
pultruded reinforced plastics:

  • Market development in Europe, USA, Asia
  • Innovative applications
  • New Markets: Ideas for potential new applications with pultruded shapes or
  • systems
  • Sustainability: Technical possibilities, recycling, etc.
  • Raw materials
    ○ Development of fibres
    ○ Development of resins
  • Construction / Testing / Calculation
  • Processes

The presentation language will be English. Deadline for paper submission (title, short abstract, speaker name and address) until 15th September 2023 to info@pultruders.com.

Sicherheitsschuhe Foto Pixabay
29.06.2023

SOEX und Mercedes-Benz AG retten Sicherheitsschuhe vor der Verbrennung

Bisher gab es bei Mercedes-Benz AG nur eine Lösung für aussortierte Sicherheitsschuhe: die Verbrennungsanlage. Rund 25 Tonnen Schuhe wurden bisher jährlich in einem Werk des Automobilunternehmens vernichtet. Das will die SOEX-Gruppe nun ändern und die getragenen Schuhe für Mercedes-Benz recyceln. Im Mai startete ein Pilotprojekt. Die ausgemusterten Sicherheitsschuhe werden auf dem Mercedes-Benz Werksgelände in Sindelfingen in insgesamt sechs Containern gesammelt und anschließend im SOEX-Werk in Wolfen recycelt.

Als zertifiziertes Recyclingunternehmen betreibt SOEX die weltweit erste Schuhrecycling-Anlage. So können wertvolle Ressourcen wie Gummi, Leder und Metall gerettet und Schuhe für die Wiederverwendung aufbereitet werden. Die Mitarbeitenden in Sindelfingen fordert Mereceds-Benz AG seit Mai daher auf: „Gib Deinen ausgemusterten Sicherheitsschuhen nun die Chance der Verbrennung zu entgehen und stofflich für neue Produkte wiederverwertet zu werden – mach den richtigen Wurf!“

Bisher gab es bei Mercedes-Benz AG nur eine Lösung für aussortierte Sicherheitsschuhe: die Verbrennungsanlage. Rund 25 Tonnen Schuhe wurden bisher jährlich in einem Werk des Automobilunternehmens vernichtet. Das will die SOEX-Gruppe nun ändern und die getragenen Schuhe für Mercedes-Benz recyceln. Im Mai startete ein Pilotprojekt. Die ausgemusterten Sicherheitsschuhe werden auf dem Mercedes-Benz Werksgelände in Sindelfingen in insgesamt sechs Containern gesammelt und anschließend im SOEX-Werk in Wolfen recycelt.

Als zertifiziertes Recyclingunternehmen betreibt SOEX die weltweit erste Schuhrecycling-Anlage. So können wertvolle Ressourcen wie Gummi, Leder und Metall gerettet und Schuhe für die Wiederverwendung aufbereitet werden. Die Mitarbeitenden in Sindelfingen fordert Mereceds-Benz AG seit Mai daher auf: „Gib Deinen ausgemusterten Sicherheitsschuhen nun die Chance der Verbrennung zu entgehen und stofflich für neue Produkte wiederverwertet zu werden – mach den richtigen Wurf!“

22 Milliarden Paar Schuhe werden Jahr für Jahr weltweit produziert. Laut Hochrechnungen sorgt die globale Schuhindustrie jährlich für so viel CO2 wie ganz Deutschland. Das liegt auch daran, dass für die Produktion von Schuhen sehr viele Ressourcen eingesetzt werden, die nach der Nutzung nicht wieder in den Kreislauf zurückgeführt werden: Der Großteil wird nach dem Tragen im Restmüll entsorgt und landet in der Verbrennung, nicht mal fünf Prozent werden gesammelt und recycelt. Bevor SOEX die weltweit erste Schuhrecycling-Anlage in Betrieb nahm, galt das Recycling von Schuhen weltweit als unmöglich. Meist sind über 40 Materialien in Schuhen so fest miteinander verklebt, dass sie kaum voneinander zu trennen sind.

Die SOEX-Gruppe entwickelte gemeinsam mit dem englischen Partner In-Cycle und der französischen Firma Eco TLC die passende Anlage für das Vorhaben. In der Anlage werden Reißverschlussreste, Metallteile, Leder, Gummi und Stoffresten voneinander getrennt, um anschließend als Rohmaterial zur Herstellung anderer Produkte wiederverwendet zu werden.
Nun profitieret auch der Automobilhersteller Mercedes-Benz AG vom fortschrittlichen Schuhrecycling der SOEX-Gruppe. Der Vorteil beim Recycling von Sicherheitsschuhen liegt außerdem darin, dass ein Sicherheitsschuh aus lediglich vier Komponenten besteht und der Aufwand bei der Auftrennung dadurch sehr gering ist. Somit haben SOEX und Mercedes-Benz AG eine einfache, aber nachhaltige Lösung gefunden, um Arbeitsschuhe sinnvoll zu entsorgen und ihnen ein zweites Leben zu schenken. Das Resultat: Ein wertvoller Beitrag zur Reduktion von Leder- und Gummiabfällen und die Entlastung der Umwelt, in dem aus Altem neue Ressourcen gewonnen werden.
Mit ihrem gemeinsamen Pilotprojekt geben SOEX und Mercedes-Benz AG ein Beispiel, dem weitere Mercedes-Benz Werke folgen könnten und das über die Automobilbranche hinaus ein Zeichen für die nachhaltige Verwertung von Arbeitssicherheitsschuhen setzt.

More information:
Schuhe SOEX Mercedes Benz Recycling
Source:

SOEX

Exemplary rendering of a JeTex® line
Exemplary rendering of a JeTex® line
23.06.2023

BB Engineering at ITMA: Novelties and new order intakes

For the first time, BB Engineering (Germany) was an official subexhibitor of its parent company Oerlikon at ITMA Milan. In addition to man-made fibre spinning (VarioFil® compact spinning line) and fibre-to-fibre recycling (VacuFil® recycling technology), the company focused on introducing its new JeTex® airtexturizing system and left the fair with a pleasing volume of orders.

With the JeTex® air-texturizing system, BBE is expanding its product portfolio in order to be able to offer a finishing technology as well. It is a production line for high-quality air-texturized yarn (ATY). It combines an innovative texturing system developed by BB Engineering as key component with state-of-the-art components by Oerlikon Barmag to ensure fast production speed, the desired effects, and the quality of your product. At ITMA, JeTex® airtexturizing had its market launch.

Regarding the VarioFil® compact spinning line for synthetic fibres, BB Engineering also brought some innovations to ITMA. Higher production capacities per spinning position and improved spin pack lifetime form a new machine generation with increased productivity.

For the first time, BB Engineering (Germany) was an official subexhibitor of its parent company Oerlikon at ITMA Milan. In addition to man-made fibre spinning (VarioFil® compact spinning line) and fibre-to-fibre recycling (VacuFil® recycling technology), the company focused on introducing its new JeTex® airtexturizing system and left the fair with a pleasing volume of orders.

With the JeTex® air-texturizing system, BBE is expanding its product portfolio in order to be able to offer a finishing technology as well. It is a production line for high-quality air-texturized yarn (ATY). It combines an innovative texturing system developed by BB Engineering as key component with state-of-the-art components by Oerlikon Barmag to ensure fast production speed, the desired effects, and the quality of your product. At ITMA, JeTex® airtexturizing had its market launch.

Regarding the VarioFil® compact spinning line for synthetic fibres, BB Engineering also brought some innovations to ITMA. Higher production capacities per spinning position and improved spin pack lifetime form a new machine generation with increased productivity.

The VacuFil® PET recycling system was launched at ITMA 2019 in Barcelona. Over the last four years, BB Engineering has been working on further development and this time presented its solution for waste-free production of filament yarns. The patented liquid-state polycondensation (LSP) unit Visco+ for viscosity adjustment and control as key component was the main focus.

In general, BB Engineering assesses the ITMA as very positive and full of opportunities. According to company, the number of visitors and the interest in the topics of synthetic fibre spinning, fibre-to-fibre recycling and air-texturizing were continuously high. In addition to many discussions with existing customers and interested parties the medium-sized company recorded a level of incoming orders like never before.

23.06.2023

DOMO Chemicals publishes sustainability report

DOMO Chemicals, a global leader in polyamide-based engineered material solutions and services, has published its latest annual Sustainability Report, detailing progress on its sustainability journey, including notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. DOMO’s mission is to engineer polyamide solutions that contribute to a better, more sustainable world. In publishing its second annual Sustainability Report, DOMO enters a new phase in its decarbonization quest, with confidence in its long-term aspiration to set the standard for sustainability in the industry by 2030.

Notably, the Sustainability Report details DOMO’s achievements in 2022 toward realizing its 2030 sustainability goals. In terms of decarbonization and broader environmental achievements, against a 2019 baseline, the company:

DOMO Chemicals, a global leader in polyamide-based engineered material solutions and services, has published its latest annual Sustainability Report, detailing progress on its sustainability journey, including notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. DOMO’s mission is to engineer polyamide solutions that contribute to a better, more sustainable world. In publishing its second annual Sustainability Report, DOMO enters a new phase in its decarbonization quest, with confidence in its long-term aspiration to set the standard for sustainability in the industry by 2030.

Notably, the Sustainability Report details DOMO’s achievements in 2022 toward realizing its 2030 sustainability goals. In terms of decarbonization and broader environmental achievements, against a 2019 baseline, the company:

  • Reduced scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 27%, making significant progress toward its target of 40% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050
  • Increased renewable electricity throughout operations to 12%
  • Reduced waste by 24%
  • Lowered water intake by 4.5%

In addition, as a provider of polyamide-based sustainable and circular solutions, DOMO:

  • Achieved more than 11% of engineered materials sales based on sustainable feedstock, making excellent progress toward its 2030 target of 20%
  • Allocated 25% of research and development resources to enhanced recycling

Moreover, fostering talent and ensuring the well-being of its workforce as a responsible employer is essential for sustainable growth, and 2022 highlights include:

  • Increased share of women in senior positions from 22% in 2021 to 30% in 2022
  • Providing a safe and inclusive working environment that encourages personal and professional development as well as a global safety culture
Source:

DOMO Chemicals