Page 75 - Plastics News July 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

Green Impact Plastics has identified a business op-
portunity through an understanding of PET material
properties, cutting-edge sorting technology, and in-
cipient market demand. With an initial capacity of
20MM lbs/yr, Green Impact’s new facility is designed
to process bales of 100 percent thermoforms. They
processed 1.9MM lbs in 2019 and 4.8MM lbs so far
in 2020. While clearly not at capacity yet, the com-
pany is nonetheless establishing a second facility in
Vernon, Calif.
PET Sorting Technologies

Though the challenges are real, Stewart likened to-
day’s environment to the early 1980s when the recy-
cling industry was learning to cope with PET bottles.
Those old enough to remember those two-liter bot-
tles will recall the mixed materials, including a base
caps on the bottom and metal caps on top. With an
increasing number of brands promising to increase
their use of PCR, demand-side economics are point-
ing to an eventual shortfall in rPET. It is posited that
PCR thermoforms could help to address this, yet the
applications must be aligned and suitable. Helpfully,
the California Strawberry Commission and Driscoll’s
are committed to using PET thermoforms as sup-
plemental feedstock. The California mandates are Tomra, a Norway-based collection and sorting tech-
inspiring California-led solutions with major invest- nology specialist, has been a key partner for Green
ments in clamshell-to-sheet operations. Companies Impact. Carlos Atienza, Tomra’s Regional Director
like CarbonLite and rPlanet Earth are well-known in- for the Americas, presented technical details on PET
dustry success stories, with others providing critical sorting. Through their new autosort equipment,
supply chain support. Tomra has added a “flying beam” sensor that analyz-
Building the Ecosystem for PET Thermoform Recycling es molecular differences to distinguish between PET
bottles and thermoforms. Tomra states their near-
Octavio Victal, CEO and founder of Green Impact infrared (NIR) scan system provides sharper focus
Plastics in Juarez, Mexico, started his company in di- than previous iterations. Moreover, their new “Sharp
rect response to the PET thermoform recycling chal- Eye” technology adds a bigger lens for greater light
lenge, he explained during his presentation. With intensity, detecting hidden properties.
1.6bn lbs of PET thermoforms being landfilled, a tre-
mendous opportunity is literally going to waste. To Meanwhile, Green Impact is building relationships
emphasize the financial opportunity, Victal stressed and raising funds to expand facilities. The City of Los
that market demand can and will set an attractive Angeles is the single largest waste generator in the
price for reclaimed thermoform flake, especially United States. Additionally, the entire state of Cali-
when you consider the current rate of $0.40/lb for fornia discards 240MM lbs of PET thermoforms per
bottle flake. year. Despite its reputation for not being the most
business-friendly state, California appears well-posi-

July 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 77