Page 164 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

COMMERCIAL SCALE OPERATIONS HYGIENE BUSINESS

Mura Technology opens advanced plastic recycling BASF starts pilot plant for SAPs in Antwerp

site in UK BASF has started production in its equipped with the latest data collection tion for the hygiene industry. With the
state-of-the-art Superabsorbents Excel- and sensor technology. By leveraging pilot plant we want to provide new
Mura Technology has opened the plastic feedstock for the manufacture of cyclable’ plastic away from incinera-
world’s fi rst commercial-scale Hydro- new plastic. Unlike pyrolysis, it utilises tion. The site has capacity to produce lence Center at its Verbund site in Ant- digitalisation and advanced model- impulses to our customers and strengthen
werp, Belgium. The €25-mn investment ling, the applied technology will be our leading role in the global Super-
PRS advanced plastic recycling plant supercritical water (water under high 20-ktpa of recycled liquid hydrocarbon is a clear commitment of the company key to further increase product perfor- absorbents market,” said Mr. Marco
in Teesside, UK. The event marks the pressure and high temperature) to con- products, with scope to expand produc- to the hygiene business as an important mance. Combined with the proximity Altmayer, Senior Vice President, Global
beginning of commissioning, with the vert post-consumer, multi-layered, fl exi- tion capacity to over three times this part of its acrylics value chain. to BASF’s SAP production in Antwerp, Strategic Business Development Petro-
fi rst recycled hydrocarbon products ble and rigid plastics, which are largely initial size. the state-of-the-art processes in the new chemicals.
expected to be delivered to Mura’s considered ‘unrecyclable’ through other To increase innovation capabilities pilot plant will shorten time-to-market.
offtake partners in early 2024. methods, into high yields of stable, The Teesside site will be the fi rst for its superabsorbent polymer (SAP) The Flemish government has gran-
premium hydrocarbon feedstocks. The in Mura’s global roll-out, and act as a
The purpose-built facility at the process poses no limit to the number launchpad for the 1-mtpa of recycling business and to accelerate the scale-up “This investment in a Superabsor- ted a funding of €1.4-mn to the deve-
Wilton International industrial site will of times the same material can be re- capacity Mura plans to have in opera- process from product development to bents Excellence Center in Antwerp lopment of this new process technology
production scale, the new pilot plant is highlights our commitment to innova-
platform.
process fl exible and rigid mixed plas- cycled – meaning it has the potential tion and development in this decade.”
tics, including fi lms, that are currently to signifi cantly reduce single-use plas-
considered ‘unrecyclable’. tics and permanently increase material Use of plastic, particularly in sin-
circularity. Independent Life Cycle gle-use packaging, has overwhelmed
The HydroPRS process comple- Assessments (LCAs) based on the fi rst recycling and waste systems globally.
ments mechanical recycling and en- site at Teesside have shown the Hydro- Recycling rates for plastic packaging
ables a circular plastics economy PRS process provides an 80% carbon vary globally with the UK at 50%
through the production of recycled emissions saving by diverting ‘unre- and the US at only 13%.

REDESIGNING THE PLASTICS SYSTEM
European plastic manufacturers agree on roadmap

to accelerate circularity

European plastics manufacturers immediate, short, and medium-term ments in Europe, rather than hinders
have agreed to a ‘Plastics Transition’ milestones and actions for plastics the industry’s transition. The window
roadmap to accelerate the transition to manufacturers. Whilst acknowledging of opportunity to make these account-
make plastics circular, drive lifecycle that the industry must do more to deli- able decisions is rapidly closing,”
emissions to net zero, and foster the ver faster systemic change, the roadmap Ms. Virginia Janssens, Managing Director
sustainable use of plastics. highlights that circularity intrinsically of Plastics Europe. Arkema starts up UV/LED curing resins’ capacity
requires a whole value chain approach
The roadmap establishes a pathway and includes recommended actions for The roadmap underlines the need expansion in China
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions policymakers and value chain stake- to establish a European waste manage-
from the overall plastics system by holders, between now and 2030. ment system fi t for a net zero emissions Arkema has begun production of The Nansha capacity expansion solutions is creating new opportunities
28% by 2030 and towards net-zero by and circular economy; develop mini- its Sartomer specialty UV/LED cur- leverages the most recent process and for the UV/LED curing technology,
2050. In parallel, it predicts the gradual “To be successful, critical action, mum circular plastic content targets ing resins at its expanded facility in manufacturing standards. The plant has which is expanding fast to a wider range
substitution of fossil-based plastics, real collaboration and explicit political for key plastics applications to create Nansha, China, where the Group invested an energy effi ciency programme, and of substrates and applications,” said
and that circular plastics could meet will is needed. Decisions taken in the a market pull for circular plastics; and to double the capacity, as announced aims at carbon-neutral growth through Mr. Richard Jenkins, Senior Vice-President
25% of European demand in 2030 and next few years will determine whether unlock industry investments in, for end-2021. This will support the deve- green electricity purchasing and the of Arkema’s Coating Solutions. The
65% by 2050. Cumulated additional and how quickly we can fulfi l the example, much needed chemical recycling lopment of more sustainable solutions installation of solar panels. “Doubling the project is part of the Group’s strategy
investments and operational costs to ambitions set-out in the roadmap. We infrastructure. It also stresses the need for fast-growing applications in Asian capacity of the Nansha plant will allow to expand its leading portfolio of high
reach these ambitions are projected to urgently need an enabling policy and for policy makers to ensure the European markets, such as cutting-edge solutions us to support the growth, innovation and performance and sustainable materials,
be €235-bn. The roadmap also identi- regulatory framework that stimulates plastics system remains internationally in electronics, driven by 5G techno- regional supply of our customers in Asia. including UV/LED, powder, waterborne
fi es key levers and enablers, and details circular markets and industry invest- competitive during the transition. logy, and in renewable energies. The accelerating need for lower carbon and high solid technologies.

164 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 165

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