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Brightmark to build Georgia pyrolysis plant

  • Market: Petrochemicals
  • 24/04/24

Chemical recycler Brightmark plans to build a 400,00t/yr pyrolysis plant in Thomaston, Georgia, two years after the company terminated its plan to build a similar plant in a nearby Georgia community.

Pyrolysis is a form of chemical recycling that breaks down used plastic into pyrolysis oil, which can then be reprocessed into new plastics at virgin polymers facilities.

The 2.5mn ft² plant will cost $950mn, including infrastructure such as roads and rail access, Brightmark said.

A previous plan to build a chemical recycling facility in Macon, Georgia, ended in 2022 after Mayor Lester Miller withdrew his support, citing "long-term safety concerns" from Brightmark's "unproven process".

The company finished construction of its first chemical recycling plant in Ashley, Indiana, in 2022. Brightmark said it has recycled 2,000t of plastic waste so far at its Indiana plant, well behind its anticipated volume of 100,000 t/yr.


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15/10/24

Brazil polymers, chem import tax hike begins

Brazil polymers, chem import tax hike begins

Sao Paulo, 15 October (Argus) — Brazil's import tax increase on a number of polymers and chemicals to 20pc from 12.6pc, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), has gone into effect. The new import tax rate was effective on 15 October and is valid for 12 months, according to Gecex, the Brazilian committee for commercial trade management. A PVC plastic converter with operations across Latin America told Argus that although the tax increase only started today, Brazilian polymers producers already raised prices by 5-6pc since the end of September. PVC import prices into Brazil, with the exception of those originating from the US, also followed suit last week, the source said. Higher prices are expected in Brazil despite stable PVC demand. Furthermore, maritime logistics difficulties at ports in southern Brazil continue and there is concern they will worsen as the end of the year approaches, putting more pressure on plastic resins prices. The major port of Navegantes is currently undergoing an expansion project that has created delays at that port and surrounding ports. US traders said that the increase in Brazilian import taxes is likely to lead to at least a short-term decline in US exports to Brazil. "I think short term, over one to two months, [the higher taxes] will deter imports," said one US trader. "[Brazilian polymers producer] Braskem will take advantage and increase the price… and then customers will buy anyway at the new price level." During that short period, there will be increased availability of US product for other regions, according to another US trader. "Big volumes will need to go elsewhere," said the trader. "Maybe elsewhere in South America, maybe other regions." Domestic manufacturers and chemical industry associations welcomed the decision when it was first announced on 18 September. Brazil's chemical industry association Abiquim has been asking the government to provide commercial protections for 62 products since May. But critics of the tax hikes say they will increase costs for consumers and manufacturers who rely on imported polymers and chemicals. Brazil's plastic industry association Abiplast said in September it was concerned that the higher import taxes will increase production costs for plastic products, which could result in higher prices for end consumers. The Brazilian chemical industry is responsible for around 11pc of Brazil's GDP, according to Abiquim. By Fred Fernandes and Michelle Klump Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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RECOUP 2024: Carbon the topic for the future


04/10/24
News
04/10/24

RECOUP 2024: Carbon the topic for the future

Carbon emissions, UK legislation and the role of industry in helping consumers to choose correctly were front of mind at last week's RECOUP conference, write Will Collins and Chloe Kinner London, 4 October (Argus) — The plastic supply chain needs to become less carbon intensive to preserve its environmental advantage compared with other materials, and supporting the recycling industry through a challenging period will play a central role, delegates heard at last week's RECOUP conference in Peterborough, UK. Plastic currently has a competitive advantage compared with many competing packaging materials when viewed through life cycle analysis of carbon emissions, particularly because its light weight reduces pollution during transport and its barrier properties lessen wastage. But this may not last forever, said Kinza Sutton from sustainable packaging organisation Plastipak, and with carbon set to be "the big topic of the future" the industry needs to focus today on reducing emissions linked to production, which she said are responsible for around two thirds of those generated over the whole lifecycle. But several speakers also emphasised the need to consider environmental gains in the context of the UK and Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. Stuart Hayward-Higham, innovation officer of waste management firm Suez, said "governments in the UK and Europe need to be conscious of the administrative burden on businesses", and called for regulators to align standards with neighbouring countries to boost efficiency and ensure a level playing field. Ermis Panagiotopoulos of global PET producer and recycler Indorama added environmental legislation has contributed to uncompetitive energy and raw materials prices in Europe, which make other regions more attractive to international companies as an investment. Participants suggested combining regulations with protective measures such as extending the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to include plastics, could help to ensure Europe's competitiveness. Recycling to reduce emissions Increasing recycling and the uptake of recyclates in plastic products is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions linked to plastic raw materials. But Recoup chairman Jim Armstrong highlighted the need to support the UK recycling industry. "We need infrastructure to convert the materials that we will collect, that is part of the circle. The UK recycling industry is really under pressure at the moment. The idea there's a whole queue of financial investors waiting to invest in UK recycling, that's just not true at the moment", he said. The price of plastic waste bales in the UK has fallen incrementally throughout the year, amid slow demand for domestic and export sales and a drop in the value of Packaging Recovery Notices (PRNs), which recyclers generate by processing packaging waste and which are intended to contribute to investment. And on the downstream side of the recycling industry, Biffa Polymers mothballed a 25,000t/yr mechanical recycling plant in northeast England in June owing to "extremely challenging market conditions", while Viridor announced in August it would not proceed with plans to build a chemical recycling plant in Sunderland, citing delays to UK legislation . Robbie Staniforth from packaging compliance scheme Ecosurety noted a number of incoming measures that should help UK plastic recyclers, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) and a deposit return scheme (DRS) for PET bottles. But he said the UK's plastic packaging tax (PPT), which is intended to support demand for recyclates, needs improvement. Regarding PPT, Kinza Sutton said Plastipak had expected it to drive more use of recycled material, but in fact its recycled content had dropped by 5pc since 2022. "The plastics tax [has] driven cost increases, and we've seen the average recycled content come down. We were seeing high levels of 51pc or 100pc, we're seeing a lot less of that now, companies are just reverting back down to 30pc [the minimum threshold to avoid paying PPT]". Engaging the customer Customers may support more re-use and recycling, but it is the industry's responsibility to help them make the right choices and minimise the necessary sacrifice to convenience and the cost burden, delegates heard. Gavin Ellis, co-founder of environmental organisation Hubbub, said research had shown consumers spend just two seconds on average deciding which bin to use for items of waste packaging, making clear labelling vital. A consistent approach between brands, outlets and collection systems is also important, he said. James Bull, head of packaging at Tesco, said retailers need to change products carefully, with an awareness that people have grown to rely on convenience and may be resistant to changes such as a move to a more reuse-based system. And Andrew Murray from appliance manufacturer Beko said new regulations should take into account the financial capabilities of consumers. Many households already cannot afford essential appliances, he said, making any measures that would increase the cost of the cheapest models potentially problematic. Despite the short-term challenges the industry is facing the sentiment at the event was optimistic for plastics recycling in the UK and Europe. Participants see the opportunity the industry has to lead consumers along the path to a more sustainable packaging supply chain model of reduced consumption and systems with more focus on reuse and recycling with the support of legalisation. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Dockworkers end US port strike


03/10/24
News
03/10/24

Dockworkers end US port strike

Houston, 3 October (Argus) — US dockworkers have ended a port strike that had shut container terminals from Maine to Texas, after their union late Thursday struck a tentative agreement on wages. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) has agreed to extend its contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) until 15 January to provide time for negotiating the remaining outstanding issues, the ILA said in a statement. The USMX includes containership owners, terminal operators and port associations. "Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the master contract will resume," the ILA said. The strike, which started on 1 October, had forced containership operators to queue up outside US east coast ports. Major container shipping agencies such as Maersk had initiated surcharges for US east coast and Gulf coast-bound containers later in October. By Jack Kaskey Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Argent to start production at new glycerine refinery


03/10/24
News
03/10/24

Argent to start production at new glycerine refinery

London, 3 October (Argus) — Biofuels producer Argent Energy is expected to commence production at its new glycerine refinery in early October, a source told Argus . The new Argent refinery, which is located at its Port of Amsterdam site, is Europe's largest facility dedicated to producing bio-based, technical-grade refined glycerine. The facility has a production capacity of 50,000 t/yr and will upgrade crude glycerine into 99.7pc technical-grade glycerine to supply the European chemical market, the company said. Technical-grade refined glycerine can be used in the production of epichlorohydrin, polyether polyol and anti-freeze, among other applications. Additionally, its use as a feedstock for biofuels generation, such as marine fuels, is being studied as it could offer a cheaper alternative to LNG and distillates. The Netherlands has the largest marine fuel sector in the EU. "Our entrance into the chemical market is driven by our goal to maximise product value and support the circular economy. By upgrading glycerine from our processes into a technical-grade product, we're giving the chemical industry a bio-based option they can confidently use in their own products," Argent Energy chief executive Louise Calviou said. The glycerine produced in Argent's new facility will be made via the biodiesel production route, with the product being certified under International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) guidelines. Argent Energy currently has a capacity of 190,000 t/yr for waste-based biodiesel, with sites in Amsterdam and northwest England. The company plans to soon triple biofuel production at its Amsterdam site alone. By George Barsted and Carolina A. Palma Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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California textile recovery bill signed into law


02/10/24
News
02/10/24

California textile recovery bill signed into law

Houston, 2 October (Argus) — California governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill into law on 28 September that will establish the US's first extended producer responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program. The law (SB 707) requires producers of apparel or textile articles in California to create a producer responsibility organization (PRO) that will handle and recycle textiles and apparel across the state, under the supervision of California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). SB 707 is the first EPR system for clothing that has passed in the US and leaves a lot of leeway to the PRO and CalRecycle in implementing the law. It provides relatively few details about how the EPR program will work and does not set any minimum recycled targets. The law was written by California State Senator Josh Newman (D) and was supported by textile industry participants and recyclers. "To achieve (our corporate goal of becoming a circular business by 2030), we must partner with policymakers to support efforts in creating more circular systems for textiles and other products," IKEA US Sustainability Manager Mardi Ditze said following the bill's passage. "We applaud Senator Newman for leading a collaborative process with industry stakeholders on SB 707 and support efforts to increase textile circularity in California and across the US." The PRO is required to provide free textile recycling drop-off centers for residents of California, and CalRecycle is authorized to impose monetary penalties against producers for violations of the program's requirements under the bill. Producers will be expected to join an approved PRO by 1 July 2026, and the EPR system is planned to begin enforcement on 1 July 2030. By Hadley Medlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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