One year to go until K 2025: trends that move the industry
08.10.2024
In a year's time, it will be that time again: K 2025 will open its doors and bring the global plastics and rubber industry together in Düsseldorf. From October 8 to 15, 2025, K will once again be the place where innovations are presented, new trends are discussed, and contacts are forged. The industry is already looking ahead to what will be on the agenda in October 2025.
Sustainable Construction: Transparent Material to Save Energy
18.09.2024
How will we build in the future? Sustainability, energy efficiency and comfort are key requirements that modern materials must fulfil. Conventional building materials such as glass are reaching their limits. This is where a new polymer-based material comes in, intelligently combining natural lighting and heat regulation to reduce energy consumption.
Virginia Tech develops biodegradable bioplastics from food waste
06.09.2024
This innovative approach not only offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution but also provides a new life for materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Tyre Recycling: Keeping Valuable Raw Materials in the Loop
04.09.2024
Around 13.5 million tonnes of waste tyres are generated worldwide every year. This number is steadily increasing with the growing production and use of vehicles. While a significant portion of these tyres is already recycled or reused, there are also challenges such as current regulations. Nevertheless, tyre recycling remains an essential component of a circular economy.
Covestro and Alibaba Cloud for Supply Chain Transparency
02.08.2024
Driven by increasing consumer expectations and regulatory requirements, the need to measure the use of sustainable materials and their associated carbon footprints has become essential. Covestro and Alibaba Cloud have teamed up to develop solutions that enhance supply chain transparency, focusing on sustainable plastics and carbon accounting through advanced digital technologies.
Global Impact Coalition: Net-zero Chemical Industry
19.07.2024
Charlie Tan has his work cut out for him. The 30-something, London-born Brit/Malay last November became CEO of the newly reconstituted Global Impact Coalition (GIC). The GIC has the stated aim of transforming the global chemical industry to net-zero by 2050.
Recycling solutions for a sustainable future
10.07.2024
WILDPLASTIC® has set itself the goal of ridding the world of “wild” plastic waste and offering innovative recycling solutions. The Germany-based company differentiates its products through the unique use of plastic that is recovered from the environment to be recycled and reused as granulate.
NCC Enhances Circularity in Aerospace Manufacturing
07.06.2024
The National Composites Centre (NCC), in collaboration with Munich-based Cevotec, showcases a sustainable solution for aerospace manufacturing waste, aiming to reclaim up to 80% of dry fibre material. This proof-of-concept could revolutionize waste management practices by utilizing innovative Fibre Patch Placement technology.
Partnership in PET recycling drive sustainability forward
30.05.2024
The world of plastic recycling has witnessed an outstanding alliance between two important players in the recycling industry: GANESHA ECOPET Co., a division of the largest Indian PET recyclers – GANESHA Group –, and SOREMA, the division of Previero Srl specialized in the construction of plastic recycling plants.
Closed-Loop Factory: from waste acceptance to product manufacture
18.04.2024
Recycling begins even before disposal. The entire life cycle of a product should be considered as early as the development stage. The start-up HolyPoly supports brand manufacturers throughout the entire recycling process. Their mission: to make plastics recycling a matter of course. To meet the growing demands, they recently opened the Closed-Loop Factory.
System technology: energy efficiency in the plastics industry
20.03.2024
The plastics industry faces the challenge of harmonising efficiency and sustainability without compromising on performance. With a unique portfolio of products and services, ONI-Wärmetrafo supports plastics processing companies in becoming more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, which is of immense importance, especially in times of rising energy prices.
Plastic waste gasification: a future without landfill sites?
13.03.2024
Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste are produced that are not recycled. The gasification technology from the start-up Waste-to-en offers a promising solution to this problem. The method efficiently converts waste into valuable resources while reducing both landfill fees and electricity consumption, providing a sustainable alternative in waste management.
Gasification of plastic waste at low temperatures
06.03.2024
The specific requirements and high purity of plastic waste from life science research laboratories make recycling it a particular challenge. Re:Lab AB is tackling this problem with a chemical recycling process based on low-temperature conversion, which is a special form of gasification.
World's First PET Biorecycling Plant
01.03.2024
In a significant advancement for sustainable materials management, CARBIOS has teamed up with De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC), renowned for its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction services in the biotech and agro-processing sectors. This collaboration aims to launch the world's first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France, set to be operational by 2025.
Fluoroplastics in focus
23.02.2024
The debate about fluoroplastics and their environmental impact is reaching new heights. While environmentalists are calling for a ban on PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds), industry associations are warning of the far-reaching consequences for numerous areas of application. A look at the arguments and challenges.
FAQ on the Plastic Tax
14.02.2024
In response to the growing environmental impact, the EU has introduced the so-called plastic tax – a step that has far-reaching consequences for the plastics industry and raises many questions. Our FAQ offers you a detailed overview of the new tax regulation. Learn everything important about the objectives, effects, and critical voices from the industry regarding the plastic tax.
Plastic tubes and pipes: heroes of sustainable infrastructure
07.02.2024
Plastic tubes and pipes are essential for modern infrastructures – from safe water supply to innovative energy solutions. Their versatility, durability and ability to be integrated into circular economy concepts make them a key player in the discussion about sustainable materials. With this in mind, Tube 2024 is establishing a new area, the Plastic Tubes & Pipes Area.
KORE Low Carbon EPS insulation using Neopor® BMB by BASF selected for major housing project of Braidwater
26.01.2024
KORE Insulation has introduced an environmentally friendly EPS insulation with a reduced carbon footprint to be used in a major housing development in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. The decision to use KORE's Low Carbon EPS was made by the Braidwater Group. KORE Low Carbon is made from Neopor® BMB by BASF.
New EU packaging regulation: Voices from the industry
25.01.2024
The current Packaging Directive has not been able to reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging. The European Parliament has therefore voted on new rules for packaging in the EU. At the end of November, the Parliament clearly adopted the proposal.
Saving energy in plastics production: Polytives wins 2nd place in the Lothar Späth Award 2023
05.01.2024
Polytives GmbH, a spin-off of the University of Jena in the field of plastics technology, was awarded second place in the Lothar Späth Award for its cooperation partnership with the university on 16.11.2023. The company, which emerged from Prof. Schacher's working group, develops innovative plastics solutions for energy optimisation in production.
Repsol strengthens its alliance with Pontegadea through a 618 MW renewable portfolio
22.12.2023
Repsol has formed a new alliance with Pontegadea, incorporating them as a partner with a 49% stake in a portfolio of renewable assets valued at €740 million. This partnership strengthens Repsol's strategy of bringing in investors to accelerate their renewable energy goals, which include reaching 6,000 MW of installed generation by 2025 and 20,000 MW by 2030.
Working in the plastics industry
19.12.2023
The plastics industry offers a wide range of career paths in various disciplines. Each has its own focus and gives the opportunity to promote sustainability in the industry.
traceless materials secures €36.6 Million Series A to build first industry plant for bio-circular alternative to plastic
01.12.2023
The bioeconomy start-up traceless materials has closed a financing round of 36.6 million euros, led by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund and SWEN Blue Ocean. The company produces a sustainable biomaterial that serves as an alternative to plastic and combats plastic pollution.
wdk joins Fair Rubber e.V.
17.10.2023
The German Rubber Manufactures Association (wdk) has been campaigning for responsible procurement of raw materials and services in the industry for many years. Now the industry association has set another example of its commitment to fair trade in global natural rubber supply chains. On 1 September 2023, the wdk joined the Fair Rubber e.V. initiative as a supporting member.
New material recovery facility opened in Banyuwangi under Project STOP's expansion program
02.10.2023
On September 16, a large materials recovery facility was inaugurated in Songgon Municipality, Indonesia, built in collaboration with the Banyuwangi Regional Government. Project STOP Banyuwangi, supported by various stakeholders, aims to establish a circular waste management system in Indonesia and achieve positive environmental impacts.
Thermoplastics in aircraft construction – less weight, more future
20.09.2023
Every gram counts: In aviation, a weight reduction of just one kilogram can save up to 25,000 litres of fuel annually. Plastics can be the key to this. The DLR uses carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics to make aircraft fuselages more resource-efficient. Within the framework of the Large Passenger Aircraft project, fundamentally new technologies have even been developed for this purpose.
AIMPLAS participates in a European project to develop environmentally sustainable printed electronics
19.09.2023
The REFORM project aims to develop sustainable electronic components using bio-derived materials to reduce the reliance on scarce metals. It addresses the environmental impact of e-waste by creating recyclable and eco-friendly printed electronics, involving various European partners, including AIMPLAS, to develop innovative recycling methods.
New guide to the future of plastics
06.07.2023
Researchers from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and the TNO Institute have developed four strategic approaches to enable the transition to a circular plastics economy. In addition, they are launching the European Circular Plastics Platform (CPP), a platform for cross-sector collaboration to remove barriers and share solutions.
Global chemical companies sign agreement on R&D Hub for plastic waste processing incubated by World Economic Forum
16.06.2023
Seven member companies of the World Economic Forum’s Low-Carbon Emitting Technologies (LCET) initiative have signed a collaboration agreement with the independent research organization TNO to establish an R&D Hub for Plastic Waste Processing. The seven companies include BASF, Covestro, Dow, Mitsubishi Chemical, SABIC, Solvay and Lyondell Basell.
CO2BioClean: Turning CO₂ into biodegradable plastics
17.05.2023
CO2BioClean is using an innovative process to produce biodegradable plastics and polymers from CO₂ as a circularly sourced feedstock. What is driving them is their vision for a sustainable future and the potential of their technology to contribute towards global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and the use of fossil fuels in the production of plastics.
A status check on the UN's plastic waste agreement
24.04.2023
Plastic pollution is a serious threat to human health and the environment. After years of awareness-raising, there is strong and widespread alignment on the need to act. This was the unmistakable and welcome message from the U.N.'s first negotiating session on a global agreement to end plastic waste in December.
LANXESS software calculates carbon footprint for Group's own products
05.04.2023
With the "Product Carbon Footprint Engine" developed by LANXESS, the CO2 footprint can be calculated automatically for the Group's products. With this innovation, the speciality chemicals company aims to help its customers achieve their sustainability goals.
Acting Responsibly: Jungle feeling at the Röchling stand at K 2022
08.12.2022
This year, the company Röchling SE & Co. KG chose the design of a jungle at K 2022 in Düsseldorf to present its sustainable product families as well as innovative new products. Under the motto 'Acting responsibly' the concept was well received by visitors and customers.
BASF and ARCUS sign agreement on the production and procurement of pyrolysis oil from mixed plastic waste
03.10.2022
ARCUS plans to start up first commercial pyrolysis plant for mixed plastic waste in Germany and will supply the company BASF SE with pyrolysis oil. This will enable further expansion of BASF's ChemCyclingTM business. The Agreement foresees take-up of up to 100,000 tons of pyrolysis oil per year.
LANXESS: Entire value chain to become climate-neutral
12.09.2022
The chemicals company LANXESS aims to make its upstream and downstream supply chains climate-neutral by 2050. In order to achieve the so-called Scope 3 targets, LANXESS has launched the Net Zero Value Chain Program. The focus is on sustainable raw materials, green logistics and climate-neutral products.
Public obligations for recycling: Germany – a good role model?
16.08.2022
With the Packaging Act, Germany is taking a further step towards an all-encompassing raw material cycle for packaging. One of the requirements aims to significantly increase the amount of recyclable packaging. Packaging used in mail order or "dispensed" for to-go products has recently been required to be registered in the LUCID Packaging Register.
A guide to sustainable plastics
27.07.2022
As a designer, plastics and sustainability can be difficult to navigate. There are so many parameters to consider – from the origin and environmental footprint of raw materials to the durability and quality of specific materials and maximising the chances of recovery and recycling at the end of life of plastics products.
The "new KraussMaffei" is to be climate-neutral by 2030
25.07.2022
The KraussMaffei company confirms a sustainable corporate strategy: Climate neutrality in eight years. The consistent focus is on Circular Economy. One of the largest roof-mounted photovoltaic systems in Europe is currently being built at the new main plant in Parsdorf.
Made up out of thin air
19.05.2022
Innovations always emerge from something existing, something tried and tested. Approaching them in terms of their content requires a look at the fundamentals. This is also true for the question of how carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases can be used for the production of plastics.
"The goal is to create an exciting vision that our consumers want to participate in with us."
30.06.2019
Alexis Olans Haass is Director Sustainability at adidas PURPOSE. She heads adidas brand's sustainability program from global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Her responsibilities include directing adidas brand's sustainability strategy, and developing new sustainable innovations and business models.