Green Chemicals Blog
recycling
US plastic bottle recycling dips in 2017
Articles and news on plastic waste and recycling seem to be prevalent in 2018 and this will probably continue in 2019. A recent article from Reuters noted that the European Union are passing regulations on minimizing marine litter. Several consumer brands are looking at increasing their use of recycled packaging as well as minimizing the use of … Continue reading
Plastic recycling takes centre stage for consumer brands
Ongoing coverage of plastic pollution has pressured well-known consumer brands manufacturers to increase their commitment to sustainable packaging, and recycling has been one of the items near the top of their agendas. In April, Unilever announced a partnership with start-up company, Ioniqa, which has reportedly developed a proprietary technology that is able to convert any … Continue reading
Thailand to ban plastic waste imports from 2021
Thailand will ban all imports of plastic scrap and waste from 2021, the Thai government recently announced, noting that although it had announced a halt to those imports in June it will take two years before existing import licenses expire and the policy can be implemented without any exceptions. Developed countries made Thailand and other … Continue reading
US football team partners with Braskem in plastic recycling
It’s the start of the football season! Unfortunately, my Giants team doesn’t seem to be doing well based on their performance last Sunday. The Eagles team is definitely not one of my favorites (sorry!) but I’m glad the team’s owners are working on minimizing their plastic wastes by partnering with Braskem in plastic recycling. Braskem … Continue reading
European plastics industry sets sustainable targets
The trade organization, PlasticsEurope recently published its 2030 Voluntary Commitment, which contains a set of ambitious targets and initiatives by the European plastics industry towards a more sustainable economic solution. This commitment focuses on (1) increasing re-use and recycling, (2) preventing plastics leakage into the environment, and (3) accelerating resource efficiency. For the recycling targets, … Continue reading
Nike launches Flyleather sneakers
I’ve mentioned Modern Meadow’s biofabricated leather and the sustainability benefits of this technology in my last post. However, Nike also recently launched its new Flyleather material, which has been incorporated in its Tennis Classic footwear style now available online and as well as in several limited edition footwear styles. Nike’s Flyleather material is made with … Continue reading
BASF participates in circular economy initiatives
I just finished wrapping up five presentations (two that I personally worked on) about bio-based chemicals and bioeconomy for the incoming Nova Institute Bio-Materials conference next week in Cologne, Germany,(which my colleague, Philippa Davies will give the presentation) and for the Asia Petrochemicals Industry Conference (APIC) which will be held on 18-19 in Sapporo, Japan. This … Continue reading
Emery opens green polyols facility
I will try to blog as much as I can this week before I leave for the ICIS World Oleochemicals Conference in Croatia next week. Speaking of oleochemicals, Emery Oleochemicals finally opened its new $50 million green polyols facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company claims it to be the world’s first industrial-scale facility capable of … Continue reading