Page 34 - Plastics News March 2022

fuel undermines a much-needed switch number” of export licences had been is- which could include a hard-to-recycle
to cleaner energy, increases planet- sued. The spokesperson said there was jumble of items like bags, polystyrene
warming greenhouse gas emissions and no available data on how much plastic cups and bubble wrap. It permits the
releases toxic chemicals that put public had been exported as fuel since the ban shipment of plastic waste that has been
health at risk. Ley’s spokesperson said was introduced or information about separated, like bales of drinks bot-
the law states that processed plastic can where it was sent. Australia’s new law tles that can be sent to recyclers over-
be exported, adding that only “a small bans the export of mixed plastic waste, seas, as well as “processed” waste fuels.

Mitsui Chemicals and Partners Launch Pilot Naphtha Cracker Project

is to be funded by the New Energy and ject’s final year. Through the construction
Industrial Technology Development Or- and operation of the plant along with the
ganization (NEDO). The project partners manufacture of the equipment, these four
had applied to the Green Innovation Fund companies will leverage their knowledge
for projects aimed at the development of and technical capabilities in the field of eth-
technology for producing raw materials ylene plants as they aim now to achieve the
for plastics using CO2 and other sources, social implementation of entirely ammo-
focusing in particular on the development nia-fired crackers, thereby contributing to
of advanced technologies for naphtha the reduction of CO2 emissions through-
crackers. The goal of the pilot project is to out the petrochemical industry. Naphtha
switch naphtha crackers from running on is a valuable petrochemical feedstock used
conventional methane-based fuel to one in in the production of plastics, specifically
which ammonia is the principal compo- olefins that are building blocks for other
nent, thereby reducing the CO2 emissions chemicals and aromatics that are used to
generated by combustion to virtually zero. produce polyester and other packaging
itsui Chemicals, Inc., Maruzen Pet- The trial is expected to run for 10 years, materials. Naphtha is traditionally derived
Mrochemical Co., Ltd., Toyo Engi- from FY2021 until FY2030, in order to from crude oil and natural gas condensates,
neering Corp. and Sojitz Machinery Corp. be implemented in society after feasibility but can now be produced from renewable
have announced that a joint pilot project has been demonstrated in an entirely am- feedstocks.
to be demonstrated by the four companies monia-fired commercial cracker in the pro-

Northern Ireland Encourages Reuse Of Bags to Avoid Bag Levy Charge

poster which highlights the environmental their carrier bags instead of re-using them,
benefits of reusing all carrier bags as often with harmful environmental consequences.
as possible. Environment Minister Edwin We need to make Northern Ireland a clean-
Poots announced in November that the er, greener, more pleasant place in which
Carrier Bag Levy charge in Northern Ire- to live and we can go some way towards
land will increase from 5 pence to 25 pence this by making sure we use and re-use our
from 1 April 2022. In addition to levy carrier bags." he Minister continued: "It
increase, the Minister also announced an is unacceptable that far too much plastic
new Keep Northern Ireland Beauti- extension to the existing pricing threshold, ends up as pollution in our environment or
A ful competition has been launched to which will see all bags priced at £5 or less waste in our landfills. With over five trillion
encourage young people and their families subject to the levy, irrespective of the mate- single use plastic bags used worldwide every
to always re-use their carrier bags The com- rial they are made from. Exemptions to the year and plastic waste set to quadruple by
petition is being promoted by the charity's levy will also be simplified.Welcoming the 2050, it is important that we educate our
Eco-Schools programme, with pupils across launch of the competition, Minister Edwin young people to do all they can to protect
Northern Ireland being asked to design a Poots said: "People are still throwing away and support our environment."

34 PLASTICS NEWS March 2022