Recycling

Toray Industries, a Japan-based company, has unveiled a groundbreaking development in the field of cosmetics raw materials. They have created a new polyamide 4 (PA4) spherical fine particle that boasts biodegradability in marine environments, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in the cosmetics industry.

Billie Eilish plans to use recycled and bio-based vinyl, as well as recycled packaging materials, to make her upcoming third album as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

Brands and package designers are developing seaweed-based packaging as an alternative to single-use plastics. Companies such as PlantSea Ltd., Notpla Ltd., Sway Innovation and Loliware Inc. are all active in the space.

GreenMantra Technologies diverts thousands of tons of plastic from landfills, dumps, and the ocean. They leverage molecular recycling to produce sustainable additives from plastic waste.

Packamama’s eco-conscious, lightweight, flat-pack, recycled PET (rPET) wine bottles save space, reduce supply-chain emissions, and are virtually unbreakable.

Recycling plastic films through Solvent-Targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAP) is crucial for environmental sustainability since packaging commonly uses these materials. While experts are testing pioneering methods, scaling these techniques remains a challenge.

The latest research reveals how recycled nylon (RN) combined with lignin-derived biocarbon (BioC) is setting new benchmarks in the materials science domain, especially within the automotive industry. This innovative approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances the mechanical and flame retardant properties of materials used in automotive applications.

Chemical recycling, particularly the depolymerization of PET presents a groundbreaking approach to tackling the global plastic waste dilemma.

In the quest for sustainability, proper waste management is a main challenge, particularly when it comes to plastics. The Recyclopedia initiative teaches proper sorting and disposal of plastics and other items.

The rapid proliferation of 3D printing technologies across various sectors has heralded a new era of manufacturing efficiency and innovation. However, plastic waste generation necessitates urgent and effective recycling strategies.

The pilot-scale fluoropolymer incineration study conducted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) represents a significant stride in understanding the environmental impact of fluoropolymer disposal.

The IKV Colloquium demonstrated the plastics industry’s resilience in addressing current challenges. On February 28th-29th, 2024, RWTH Aachen University’s IKV organized an event fostering industry-academia exchanges.