Page 15 - Plastics News March 2021

CompAny news

Amcor joins Alliance to End Indian Oil to build two Mega

Plastic Waste at executive level Bio-Refineries in Telangana And

Andhra Pradesh
ustralia-based packaging
Acompany Amcor has announced
that it is to join non-profit n a big boost for the nation's
organisation Alliance to End Plastic Inascent biofuels and clean
Waste (AEPW) at an executive energy sector, state-owned
committee level. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)
plans to set up two mega bio-
Joining AEPW is the company’s refineries in Telangana and
latest action on waste management Andhra Pradesh. The refineries
and recycling infrastructure, and will come up at an investment
is in line with its Sustainability Pledge to make all its of Rs 600 crore each and will
packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. Amcor CEO Ron have the capacity to extract five lakh litres of ethanol
Delia said: “Amcor’s extensive innovation capabilities are from agri-residue like wheat and rice straw. These
delivering packaging designed to achieve the commitment refineries will take at least 18 months to be completed
to make all our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.
But keeping waste out of the environment also requires after IOC takes possession of the land for the project.
collaboration across the global value chain for better The company has already approached Telangana
waste management and recycling infrastructure, and to government with its proposal but is yet to reach out
educate consumers. “AEPW serves as a crucial forum for to Andhra Pradesh government. "We have approached
that collaborative effort across parties aligned on the the Telangana government which has identified two
need to deliver more sustainable outcomes. I am excited parcels of land for the project," said R S S Rao, IOC's
that Amcor is taking up this leadership role within AEPW. executive director and state head for Telangana and
We look forward to working with the other members Andhra Pradesh.As per details shared by Rao, the
to advance on our shared ambitions for responsible Telangana unit would come up within 200 kilometres
packaging.”. AEPW chief executive Jacob Duer said: of Hyderabad's periphery. According to IOC's research
“The addition of Amcor to AEPW’s Executive Committee and development (R&D) director SSV Ramakumar,
strengthens our links to the packaging industry. Amcor’s the company is planning to set up a total of 12 bio-
expertise, as the world’s leading diversified packaging refineries across multiple states which include Gujarat,
company, will bring new capabilities to AEPW’s project Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Planning Commission
portfolio and brings us closer towards achieving our vision of India suggests supplanting 20% of India’s diesel
of ending plastic waste in the environment.” This month, utilization predominantly by non-eatable Jatropha oil
Amcor partnered with US-based management consulting and Pongamia. Biorefinery could be perhaps the best
firm McKinsey & Company (McKinsey) to develop recycling remedy for overcoming this macro issue. Spoilt and
and waste management solutions for use in Latin America. surplus foodgrain, sourced from the Food Corporation of
AEPW, which currently has 57 member companies, is India (FCI), will fill in as feedstock to make ethanol, for
partnering with governments, NGOs and communities mixing with petroleum and diminishing reliance on raw
around the world to tackle the issue of plastic waste petroleum imports Both IOC authorities appreciated the
through various actions and projects. Examples of the Telangana government for its proactive reaction and
Alliance’s current projects include Project STOP Jembrana recommending two areas for the plant in the State.
in Indonesia, where a new waste management system is Biodiesel is an alternative fuel, having diesel like
being built to address high volumes of plastic waste. The properties, synthesised by a simple chemical reaction
local community is being empowered to collect, sort, and
sell their own waste. Another example of the Alliance’s of alcohols with vegetable oils. It is commonly made
work is the End Plastic Waste Innovation Platform, from edible oils like soyabean, rapeseed and palm oil in
which fosters startups across the plastic value chain to the world. However, non-edible tree borne oil seeds of
accelerate innovation to eliminate plastic waste. Jatropha and Karanjia are material of choice for India.

15 March 2021 Plastics News