Page 37 - Plastics News Issue - January 2025
P. 37
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
ing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based Furthermore, the plant’s design emphasizes sustainability
plastics. Moreover, the collaboration between at every level. By using renewable plant-based feedstock
Emirates Biotech and Sulzer highlights a shared as its raw material, the facility achieves a low-carbon manu-
dedication to advancing the bioplastics industry facturing process, reinforcing its commitment to environ-
and driving eco-friendly innovations. mentally responsible practices. Additionally, by producing
PLA—a versatile and biodegradable alternative to tradition-
al plastics—the facility supports diverse applications, such
as packaging and disposable items. These efforts help re-
duce dependence on single-use plastics and contribute to
a more sustainable future.
Source - Plastics Engineering
The planned large-scale PLA production facility by
Emirates Biotech in the United Arab Emirates. Courtesy
of Emirates Biotech.
Panelists: Secondary sorting fills
vital recycling role
end market for secondary sorting, according to
panelists at the recent Resource Recycling Con-
ference.
And although the number of secondary sort-
ing facilities has decreased, said panelist Adam
Lovewell, process engineer at Van Dyk Recycling
Solutions, “I think that we’re seeing the emer-
gence of secondary sorting facilities because it’s
a business that people can make money from.
It might not be as much as the MRF, but there’s
still money to be made other than just sending it
ith materials recovery facilities be- to the landfill.”
coming ever more sophisticated and
WAI and robotics providing customiz- Secondary sorting is the process of culling fur-
able levels of materials sortation, chemical re- ther value from bales that have already under-
cycling feedstock provides the most promising gone a primary sort at a MRF.
January 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 37
