POLICY AND PERSPECTIVES, PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Techmer PM | February 14, 2023
Techmer PM, a Clinton-based compounder and materials design expert, has developed a solution to the recycled PET (rPET) shortage. This new concentrate, known as HiTerra™ rPET Revive, rebuilds the polymer chains of the resin, therefore boosting its viscosity and decreasing the consequent yellowness of rPET.
To meet their publicly declared environmental objectives, brand owners are dedicated to growing their usage of recycled plastics but face more than simply technical obstacles. These obstacles include the limited availability and added expense of high-quality recycled PET.
PET thermally degrades when it is continuously reprocessed, and because of various heat histories, this results in yellowing and viscosity breakdown, thereby restricting the use of such materials. HiTerra™ rPET Revive aims to alleviate the strain at the molecular level.
Techmer PM’s Market Manager for Rigid Packaging, Steve Smith, stated, “rPET Revive can allow for a higher regrind/recycle rate and improve productivity.” Adding to this, he said, “We selected the active ingredient to be compatible with PET resins used in fiber and molding applications. Converters can use it in the production of thermoformed sheets, and the product is showing good potential for use in bottles, as well.”
(Source – GlobeNewswire)
About Techmer PM
Techmer PM, LLC, was founded in 1981 as a materials design firm specializing in changing and fine-tuning the characteristics of technical polymers. The firm thrives on collaboration and partnerships with plastics processors, specifiers, fabricators, designers, and brand owners. It assists manufacturers in various end-use sectors in enhancing product functionality and aesthetics by using various resins, ranging from polyolefins to PEEK. The award-winning company has six sites in North America. It has experience in practically every plastics and fiber-related process, including additive manufacturing, injection molding, blown film, and sheet extrusion. Plastics News has included Techmer PM six times since 2014 on its "Best Places to Work" list.
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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Clariter | February 02, 2023
A global cleantech company, Clariter and TotalEnergies’ division, TotalEnergies Fluids, recently announced its world's first sustainable ultra-pure solvent made from plastic waste.
Ultra-pure solvents are utilized in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other markets in high demand that require safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless products that meet the criteria of the highest pharmacopeia-standard purity. In addition, the solvents made from plastic waste help reduce their environmental footprint and contribute towards the end-of-life plastics challenge.
Clariter and TotalEnergies Fluids worked together for 18 months on joint research and development, which led to this technological and business success. Clariter uses its own innovative upcycling technology to turn plastic waste into high-quality solvents, waxes, and oils that can be used more than once. Using its Hydro-De-Aromatization (HDA) technology, TotalEnergies Fluids further transforms the upcycled materials into high-purity solvents that meet the quality levels required by the most stringent applications.
This revolutionary innovation shows the commitment of the two partners to develop high-quality, low-carbon footprint products and contribute to the circular economy's development.
Dr. Daria Frączak, Clariter's Scientific Director, said, "Developing products of such high quality from plastic waste is a triumph for our joint R&D work." She also said, "Clariter's know-how and experience in plastic upcycling, together with TotalEnergies Fluids' deep knowledge of stringent industry requirements, came together to develop a process to produce sustainable solvents that meet the highest purity standards. We are thrilled to have achieved this significant milestone in our journey towards bringing to industry sustainable, high-quality products made from plastic waste".
(Source: Cision)
About Clariter
Clariter was established in 2003 and is a global cleantech company providing innovative solutions that upcycles plastic waste. Oils, waxes, and solvents are converted from plastic waste using this efficient, patented technology, which can then be used in place of their fossil fuel counterparts. The combination of Clariter's commercial appeal and its eco-friendliness is unbeatable. By creating green jobs and bolstering local communities, the company aids its partners in achieving sustainability goals and decreasing their reliance on crude oil.
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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
Danimer Scientific | March 09, 2023
Danimer Scientific, Inc. commends the City of Jacksonville for its newly launched pilot program offering organic recycling solutions to restaurants in the Riverside and Avondale areas. Sunshine Organics and Compost, also known as Compost Jax, is partnering with the city to execute the six-month program.
After receiving training on proper diversion procedures, restaurants will have their food waste collected and delivered to the Sunshine Organics and Compost facility by the city every week for six months as part of the program launched on March 1. The accumulated food residues will be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to replenish soils and support the growth of more food.
Most of Northeast Florida's food waste is in landfills, making up a considerable portion of solid waste. As organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces hazardous methane that can contribute to climate change. Industrial composting, on the other hand, provides an eco-friendly way to treat organic waste, such as food waste, yard waste, and other organic matter, potentially lengthening the lifespan of landfills by years.
Sunshine Organics and Compost is authorized to process food and yard waste and can accept certified industrially compostable products, including Danimer Scientific's Nodax® PHA. This makes it different from other composting operations in the Jacksonville region. The Nodax® PHA created by Danimer Scientific is appropriate for food packaging applications because it has FDA approval for food contact and can decompose without generating any pollution.
About Danimer Scientific
Danimer Scientific is a biopolymer manufacturer that creates sustainable and eco-friendly materials. The company uses natural resources like canola, corn, and other plant-based oils to develop compostable, biodegradable products that replace traditional plastic materials. Its products are designed to reduce waste and promote sustainability, and its technology has applications in various industries, including food packaging, textiles, and more. Danimer Scientific is headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, and is committed to reducing the negative impact of plastics on the environment and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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