Page 19 - Plastics News August 2019

COMPANY NEWS

Henkel shares software tool for evaluating the recyclability of packaging

enkel has made its EasyD4R software assessment DFFHOHUDWH WKH WUDQVLWLRQ WR D FLUFXODU HFRQRP\ µ VDLG
Htool publicly available to help develop sustainable Dr. Thorsten Leopold, head of international packaging
packaging. The software tool EasyD4R is based on public development for home care products at Henkel.
and recognised criteria catalogues such as those from
Plastics Recyclers Europe.The goal is to quickly and
accurately assess the recyclability of packaging already Braskem likely to exit
its petrochem project in
WestVirginia

razilian petrochemical producer Braskem is no
Blonger pursuing a petrochemical project, which
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and is seeking to sell the land that would have housed
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number of recent inquiries about its site in Parkersburg,
Braskem has
during the early stages of product development. This
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ZDV FRQÀUPHG E\ DQ LQGHSHQGHQW WHVW FRPSOHWHG E\ advisor to help
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and evaluate strategic
Energy Technology UMSICHT. The scientists analyzed the alternatives for the
evaluation software and its results and compared them
with national as well as international standards.The VLWH WKH FRPSDQ\
said, declining
software evaluates the recyclability of packaging based on further comment.
its composition and the individual weight proportions of the Braskem America
respective components such as basic materials, closures,
labels or colours. For all materials in question, the tool spokesperson
Stacy Torpey said
VWRUHV LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ WKH VXLWDELOLW\ IRU LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ the company is
during sorting, and for processing during recycling. On
this basis, EasyD4R shows clear results displayed on a exploring its options for the property along the Ohio
WUDIÀF OLJKW HYDOXDWLRQ V\VWHP ,W SURYLGHV LQIRUPDWLRQ River where plans for a large cracker were announced
on the recyclability of each design as a percentage and in 2013. She said the company has received a “number
the material combinations which can be optimized for RI UHFHQW LQTXLULHVµ DERXW WKH VLWH SURPSWLQJ WKH
recycling. By doing so, it supports the development of company to consider a possible sale.The project,
VXVWDLQDEOH SDFNDJLQJ VROXWLRQV ´:LWK WKLV WRRO WKH announced in 2013, has been on Braskem's back burner
recyclability of product packaging can be evaluated very for several years.In May 2018, Mark Nikolich, CEO of
ZHOO µ VDLG 0DUNXV +LHEHO KHDG RI VXVWDLQDELOLW\ DQG Braskem's US arm, Braskem America, said the project
remained on hold pending progress on infrastructure,
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delighted that companies like Henkel are taking their such as pipelines. The company had not found the
responsibility seriously and making a contribution to the ULJKW ULVN SURÀOH E\ WKDW WLPH KH VDLG ODVW \HDU 6LQFH
GHYHORSPHQW RI UHF\FODEOH SDFNDJLQJ µ,Q LWV SDFNDJLQJ then, Braskem has faced multiple other challenges.
strategy, Henkel has set itself the goal to make all The company is facing fallout from a government
packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. report that linked its salt mining operations in Brazil
The proportion of recycled plastic used in packaging to geological damages, leading to one cash freeze of
for consumer goods products in Europe should increase R$3.7 bln (US$973 mln) and a lawsuit seeking a second
WR ´:H ZDQW WR SURPRWH RSHQ FROODERUDWLRQ DQG freeze of R$2.5 bln (US$657 mln).

19 August 2019 Plastics News