Page 170 - CW E-Magazine (20-8-2024)

News from Abroad

JOINT PROJECT
Carbios and FCC Environment to explore PET

biorecycling facility in UK

Carbios, the French biotech firm plans to become a leading technology
focussed on recycling of plastic and tex- provider in the recycling of PET by
tiles, and FCC Environment UK (FCC), 2035. In addition to the world’s first
one of the UK’s leading recycling and industrial-scale enzymatic PET recy-
waste management companies, have cling plant currently under construction
signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to jointly in Longlaville, France, this UK-based
study the implementation of a UK- plant would process PET waste currently
based plant using Carbios’ polyethy- not recyclable using conventional
lene terephthalate (PET) biorecycling treatment of PET such as lower energy recycling technologies, such as coloured,
licensed technology. consumption and better circularity of multi-layered or textile waste.
the polymers back into PET production
Carbios’ enzymatic depolymerisa- lines. “We are keen to explore with Car- “By creating value from waste,
tion technology enables efficient and bios what contribution this technology Carbios’ PET biorecycling techno-
solvent-free recycling of PET plas- could make to the UK circular economy logy is generating significant interest
tic and textile waste into virgin-like and to examine further its place in the from waste management companies,
products. Carbios said its biorecycling UK waste hierarchy from a firm evi- proving that Carbios’ solution is rele-
technology is key to supporting FCC’s dence base,” said Mr. Steve Longdon, vant to both PET producers and waste
ongoing search for exploring new pro- CEO, FCC Environment UK. management companies. For Carbios,
cesses and technologies to produce partnering with FCC means access
recycled PET (r-PET) from PET plastic The depolymerisation process deve- to feedstock at the source through its
and textiles. FCC Environment is keen loped by Carbios also facilitates the established collection systems, en-
on advancing biorecycling technology recycling of all kinds of PET waste, hancing the efficiency and impact of
for achieving a circular economy and is including problematic fractions such our sustainable waste solution,” com-
seeking an evidence-based view on the as polyester textiles, into high-quality mented Mr. Emmanuel Ladent, CEO,
advantages of using enzymes for the recycled PET. Carbios has ambitious Carbios.

ADVANCING CIRCULARITY
Battery recycling to help augment precious minerals

supply and cut geopolitical risks: Report

Advances in battery recycling offer today have access to technologies that unlock cheaper, lower emissions, and
a significant opportunity for countries use significantly less energy and nearly domestic supplies of battery materials
to build caches of precious minerals halve emissions from mineral produc- for manufacturing,” the report stated.
used in electric vehicles (EVs), and tion by recycling battery minerals, such
additionally mitigate geopolitical risks as lithium, nickel, graphite and cobalt. “Battery manufacturers, automobile
arising notably from China’s domi- OEMs, and refineries are creating loca-
nance, according to a report by research According to the Paris-based Inter- lised recycling supply chains to feed the
& consulting firm, Cleantech Group. national Energy Agency (IEA), global surging demand for battery minerals,”
demand for lithium is estimated to grow said Mr. Parker Bovée, Cleantech Group
The US, the EU, and China have hit 870% by 2040, with demand for graph- Associate, Waste & Recycling.European
multiple milestones in advancing cir- ite, nickel and cobalt all more than dou- and Chinese automakers are expected
cularity – a sustainability method that bling. “In this environment, recycling to leverage direct recycling, one of three
encourages reuse and recycling – and is a prudent choice, enabling nations to key processes to emerge, as European

170 Chemical Weekly August 20, 2024

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