Showing posts with label recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recycling. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Call for Papers: Refining India 2023


Refining India 2023 has issued a call for papers. Scheduled for 9-10 October 2023, the conference will be located in New Delhi, India.

The submission deadline is April 28, 2023.

Key themes to consider when submitting your abstract are …

  • Refining / Petrochemicals Integration
  • Hydrogen in Refining and Petrochemicals
  • Digitilization, Analytics, AI and Machine Learning
  • Reducing CO2 Footprint
  • FCC / Hydrocracking / Hydrotreating / Hydroprocessing
  • Process Optimization and Energy Efficiency
  • Refinery Co-Processing
  • Crude-To-Chemicals
  • Plastic Waste Recycling


TIP: Choose a topic of interest from the list, then Google® it. The results could provide you with a thought provoking way to begin your approach to the topic.

For example, Google® plastic waste recycling.

Two results that caught my eye …

How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled
September 11, 2020
Heard on NPR Morning Edition
Laura Sullivan
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled

Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report
U.S. EPA
November, 2020
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/advancing-sustainable-materials-management

Visit https://refiningindia.com/refiningindia2023/en/page/home?deliveryName=DM125483 for details on submitting your abstract.

Here is the text of the email alerting me to the call for papers …

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Present Your Paper At Refining India 2023
We are now accepting presentation abstract submissions for Refining India 2023!
Don't miss the opportunity to bring your innovative technology, projects, insights, or case-studies to the attention of senior executives and engineering representatives across India's major refining companies!
*************************************************************************
Brought to you by PTQ magazine and with support from IDS, Refining India 2023 is delighted to announce the 10th anniversary of Refining India, returning on the 9 & 10 October in New Delhi, India!

We're Looking For Papers On These Key Themes

Refining / Petrochemicals Integration
Hydrogen in Refining and Petrochemicals
Digitilization, Analytics, AI and Machine Learning
Reducing CO2 Footprint
FCC / Hydrocracking / Hydrotreating / Hydroprocessing
Process Optimization and Energy Efficiency
Refinery Co-Processing
Crude-To-Chemicals
Plastic Waste Recycling
Source: https://refiningindia.com/refiningindia2023/en/page/home?deliveryName=DM125483
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Google® Better!
Jean Steinhardt served as Librarian, Aramco Services, Engineering Division, for 13 years. He now heads Jean Steinhardt Consulting LLC, producing the same high quality research that he performed for Aramco.

Follow Jean’s blog at: http://desulf.blogspot.com/ for continuing tips on effective online research
Email Jean at research@jeansteinhardtconsulting.com with questions on research, training, or anything else
Visit Jean’s Web site at http://www.jeansteinhardtconsulting.com/ to see examples of the services we can provide

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Webinar Alert: The Welding Institute


The Welding Institute (TWI) offers a number of Webinars on or pertaining to a variety of joining technologies. I know this thanks to an email that landed in my inbox the other day. The text of the email appears below.

TIP: If you are new to TWI, a quick way to get up to speed on the organization is by reading the Wikipedia article at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Welding_Institute

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TEXT OF THE EMAIL DESCRIBING UPCOMING TWI WEBINARS
Don't miss out on our webinars
TWI (https://www.twi-global.com/ ) Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Heat Treatment Of Additively Manufactured Metals
6TH SEPTEMBER 2022
As metal additive manufacturing (AM) matures, heat treatments need to be adjusted to accommodate the unique condition of the material. The complicated thermal history caused by AM processes leads to microstructures that are not typically seen in wrought, cast or powder metallurgy material.
Current heat treatment standards have been investigated for AM materials with variable success. ‘Traditional’ heat treatment standards were developed for different microstructural ‘starting points’, hence why they lead to variable results for AM material. Hence, heat treatment should be adjusted to accommodate the unique condition of AM materials.
This adjustment can involve changing temperatures, holding times, environment and cooling methods. Adjusting heat treatments can also allow for modifying AM microstructure, such as decreasing material anisotropy between the build and transverse directions.
This webinar will discuss general points around heat treatment and the possible adjustments to accommodate the AM material condition. Case studies of ‘traditional’ and adjusted heat treatments on a variety of materials will also be presented.
TWI staff will also be presenting at the NDT 2022 conference which runs alongside the exhibition. Please see the programme for the conference here.
Materials Testing is the most comprehensive exhibition in the world of testing for quality, non-destructive testing (NDT), materials testing, condition monitoring and diagnostic technology. For more information and to register please use this link.
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Fracture Toughness Testing Methods And Standards
13TH SEPTEMBER 2022
Fracture toughness – it’s important to get the testing right; but do you ever get confused between a CTOD test and a J R-curve test?
Is there a difference between the American and British standards for CTOD?
What does the reference temperature ,T0, mean?
Is a single edge notched tension specimen the same as a compact tension specimen?
Matt Haslett from TWI will provide information on the range of current national and international standards for fracture toughness testing.
This webinar will explain what’s covered in each standard, so you can compare where they differ and where there is commonality, allowing you to feel more confident in specifying which standard you wish to carry out your testing to.
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Improved Orthopaedics Through Surface Modification
14TH SEPTEMBER 2022
Surface modification technologies, when applied to orthopaedic applications, can offer benefits for users.
This webinar will use a case study of the novel surface modification of an example shoulder stem to improve osseointegration.
Osseointegration is important in implanted materials being accepted by the bone rather than as a foreign body. Integration also means that an implant will have a permanent anchorage point on the bone and will not loosen easily.
The webinar will detail the technical work that was involved in the project as well as demonstrate how our library services provided support through literature reviews and patent searching to support freedom to operate analysis.
Along with an insight into surface modification for orthopaedic applications, attendees will gain an insight into how TWI library services operates to back up our expertise with high quality information and resources through literature and patent searches, allied with knowhow and premium systems.
This webinar is the third in a series of webinars dedicated to the medical industry, with the first offering an overview of device development and manufacturing in the medical industry and the second on the theme of microjoining and non destructive testing on medical devices based on our decades of experience working in the sector.
To accommodate a global audience, we are running this webinar for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon for an hour so please register for the time that best suits you on the event website.         
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Joint Industry Programme Launch:  Nozzle Calibration And Quality Assurance Of Powder Fed Laser Deposition
TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2022
In this webinar TWI will present on one of the biggest challenges for industrialisation and quality assurance of laser deposition techniques, the measurement and qualification of the process nozzle powder-gas jet stream.
Process leads from TWI will introduce the fundamentals of these challenges and then discuss the latest solutions. TWI will announce a first of its kind opportunity to join a new programme, which will give industrial Sponsors a leveraged and impactful insight into these new calibration systems, how they compare with one another, how they can improve laser deposition services, and how robust they are for industrial adoption.
To accommodate a global audience, we are running this webinar for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon for an hour so please register for the time that best suits you on the event website.
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The Welding Institute And Twi Would Like To Invite You To The Polymers And Composites Technical Group Webinar On An Introduction To Composites - Materials, Applications And Challenges
27TH SEPTEMBER 2022
Polymers and composites are challenging the dominance traditional materials in a wide range of applications, mainly due to their potential advantages of low weight, good chemical resistance, and improved design flexibility.
However, in many areas of industry there is a lack of knowledge regarding how these relative newcomers differ from traditional materials and how these differences influence the selection of polymers and composites for any application, and the design of joints between themselves and to other materials.
Who should attend?
If you are involved in the aerospace, automotive, energy, oil and gas or sports and leisure industries and want to learn about composites or if you are familiar with the materials and interested in future opportunities, then this webinar is of interest.
You will learn about these relatively new and unusual materials, see the challenges they provide and find out where they are used in industry.
Experts will be presenting on:
What are composites and why should we care? by Chris Worrall, Consultant, TWI Ltd
A brief history of composites by Geraint Havard, Director of Materials testing, R-Tech Materials
Applications and challenges of composites in the wind energy sector by David Williams, Assistant Lead Materials Engineer, Vestas
Applications and challenges of composites in the Formula 1 by Nick Brown, Deputy Team Leader - Bodywork and Crash Structures, McLaren Racing
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Twi Innovation Network (Twiin) Webinar: Join Us To Find Out More About The Multi-Layer Material Recycling And The Sol-Rec2 Project
29TH SEPTEMBER 2022
Plastic is a versatile material which is being used by many industries from packaging to aerospace and construction to textile, etc.  In 2020, EU plastics production reached 55 million tons among which 40% is reported to be used in packaging. To reduce the usage of plastics in packaging, multi-layer materials have been developed – consisting of five to nine layers – that utilise smaller quantities of materials and provide the same resistance, strength, stability, storage properties, and lightweight packaging option. However, multi-layer separation, waste collection and sorting challenges are making multilayer packaging materials such as pharma blister packs and laminated pouch waste difficult to recycle. Therefore, sustainable multi-layer waste management is crucial to enhance closed-loop material recycling and reduce plastic pollution.
To address this, TWI through its plastic recycling and sustainability theme is developing methods for better plastic waste management. TWI is the technical coordinator of the SOL-REC2 project, which targets the development, and implementation of strategies for better separation, sorting and recycling of multi-layer material waste consisting of layers of polymers and aluminium. SOL-REC2  project consortium consists of IPM2, Aimplas, FiliGrade, TWI, University of Leicester, Solvionic, Plastigram and Mikrolin.
The webinar will introduce a novel technique developed by the SOL-REC2 project partners for recycling multi-layer packaging. The talk will then discuss the trends in packaging industry, barriers to recycling and introduce Ionic liquids (ILs) and Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as enabling technologies for the effective and efficient delamination of multi-layer packaging.
The presentation will finish with time for questions and discussion.
SOL-REC2 has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101003532.
Who should attend?
All are welcome but this talk is particularly suited to recyclers and materials engineers working in the packaging, medical and healthcare, and other industries.
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Pushing Forward - A New Path In Skills Development
5TH OCTOBER 2022
To meet requirements to enhance workforce skills, TWI is creating distance learning and training environments that are available on demand, are accessed remotely, and connect to a wide range of robotically enabled learning scenarios.
The long-term goal of this development work is to enable personnel around the world to remotely access physical facilities using a combination of telepresence and robotic manipulators, allowing them to take advantage of expensive infrastructure for training tasks without the need to physically travel to a site.
In addition to the learning potential offered by these remotely-accessed systems, the advanced development of telepresence tools offers the expansion of remotely operated robotic inspection capabilities. This would allow for inspections to safely take place in hazardous environments or where an inspector may not be able to attend a site in person.
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Resurgam Open Day: Developments In The Fsw Of Steel
11TH OCTOBER 2022
TWI Technology Centre Yorkshire, Wallis Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, S60 5TZ 
As part of the EU-funded RESURGAM project, TWI has been working closely with a number of partners to develop tools and techniques for the friction stir welding of steel on behalf of the shipbuilding, repair and marine construction industries.
This Open Day will provide further information on the latest technical developments in steel FSW, discuss a number of application cases and provide an opportunity to view a demonstration of steel FSW in TWI’s laboratory.
Please note that spaces for this event are limited.
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Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Advanced Ice-Repellent Coating Systems For Aerospace
12TH OCTOBER 2022
Ice accretion is of great concern within the aerospace industry, influencing flight operations and maintenance cost. The build-up of ice on leading edges can lead to a dramatic reduction in the lift and drag of the aircraft which increases fuel consumption. Whilst active icing protection systems are in place to ensure safety issues are addressed, this is at a high cost, with the application of de-icing fluid to a Boeing 737 aircraft costing ~$20,000 each time.
The webinar aims to present latest developments in anti-icing coatings industry, different techniques that can be used to characterise coating performance against damage and guidelines for fit-for-purpose coating selection.
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The Welding Institute And Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Welding And Joining Technical Group: Back-To-Basics Webinar: Cracking In Ferritic Steels
19TH OCTOBER 2022
This second back-to-basics webinar will be looking at the three most important cracking mechanisms that may occur in C/Mn and low alloy steels:
   hydrogen induced cold cracking
   solidification cracking
   lamellar tearing
The cause(s) of these cracking problems will be explained drawing on some of the metallurgical principles that were discussed in first back-to-basics: An Introduction to Steel Metallurgy*.
Importantly, the measures that can be taken to avoid or mitigate the cracking will also be covered.
* You do not need to have attended the first back-to-basics webinar to attend this one.
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The Welding Institute And Twi Would Like To Invite You To A Webinar On Structural Integrity Technical Group: Academia Impact On Industry
27TH OCTOBER 2022
Academic research has always been important to industry – especially with regard to factors like asset management, lifecycle assessments, and for combatting materials and environmental problems including stress, materials corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, fracture mechanics, and more.
Research has allowed us a better understanding of how materials and structures are impacted by different operating conditions, providing asset owners scientifically proven methods for monitoring, measuring, and mitigating against problems.
Structural integrity findings from academia have been used in industry sectors ranging from chemicals and oil and gas through to power generation and renewables.
The creation of the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) in 2012, supported by government funding, the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and BP sponsorship, has continued this tradition, delivering innovative new research to industry through partnerships between TWI Ltd, Brunel University and 35 other affiliated universities.
Join our Structural Integrity Technical Group (TG6) Webinar
This webinar will illustrate how NSIRC has contributed to industry with presentations from current students and Alumni.
Who should attend?
Academics and engineers who are interested to find out how academic research can contribute to structural integrity which is increasingly used by many industry sectors such as transportation, power generation, oil and gas, renewables, and chemicals.
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Google® Better!
Jean Steinhardt served as Librarian, Aramco Services, Engineering Division, for 13 years. He now heads Jean Steinhardt Consulting LLC, producing the same high quality research that he performed for Aramco.

Follow Jean’s blog at: http://desulf.blogspot.com/ for continuing tips on effective online research
Email Jean at letters@jeansteinhardt.com with questions on research, training, or anything else
Visit Jean’s Web site at http://www.jeansteinhardtconsulting.com/ to see examples of the services we can provide


Friday, August 2, 2019

Exxon Is High Energy


ExxonMobil is going green. Well maybe that’s a stretch. But the company is exploring the production of a type of polyethylene packaging that is easier to recycle.

Now, it is really hard to Google® useful information on ExxonMobil. However, if you take a granular look at an Exxonmobil press release, it is possible to pick out keywords you can use to further your online research.

For example, take a look at the following ExxonMobil press release …

TIP: Whenever you find anything of interest, no matter how trivial, mine it for keywords to help refine your Google® searches. You might get lucky.

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ExxonMobil begins production on Beaumont high-performance polyethylene line
IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil said today it started production on a new high-performance polyethylene line at its Beaumont, Texas polyethylene plant. The expansion increases plant production capacity by 65 percent or 650,000 tons per year, bringing site capacity to nearly 1.7 million tons per year.
•Increases polyethylene plant production capacity by 65 percent or 650,000 tons-per-year
•Project supported more than 2,000 temporary jobs and approximately 40 permanent jobs
•Expansion makes Texas the company’s largest polyethylene producer
This expansion builds upon supply advantages created by ExxonMobil’s two new performance polyethylene lines which began production in 2017 at the company’s manufacturing site in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Together, these multi-billion dollar investments will help meet strong global demand growth for polyethylene, particularly high-performance products used for liquid and food packaging, construction liners and agricultural films.
“The availability of new supplies of domestically produced natural gas liquids provides us with a significant advantage when expanding polyethylene production to meet worldwide demand growth,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company. “Our unique polyethylene products offer enhanced performance benefits to our customers, including strength and ease of processing, compared with commodity products.”
The project created 2,000 jobs during peak construction and currently supports approximately 40 permanent jobs. Operations associated with the Beaumont expansion are expected to increase regional economic activity by $20 billion in the first 13 years, according to research completed in 2015 by Impact Data Source.
Beaumont’s polyethylene plant expansion is part of ExxonMobil’s 2017 Growing the Gulf initiative, which included plans to build and expand manufacturing facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast, creating more than 45,000 high-paying jobs across the region.
source: https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/News/Newsroom/News-releases/2019/0724_ExxonMobil-begins-production-on-Beaumont-high-performance-polyethylene-line

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Two promising keyword phrases from the press release are polyethylene, and Karen McKee.

First let’s explore polyethylene.

TIP: Google® polyethylene exxonmobil
One result ...

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ExxonMobil debuts new polyethylene technology advancements at Chinaplas
By: Stephen Moore (Plastics Today) on June 17, 2019
ExxonMobil introduced two new performance polyethylene (PE) polymers for high-quality flexible packaging, and recyclable full PE laminated packaging solutions, at the recent Chinaplas 2019 show in Guangzhou. “Advancing polyethylene technology is an important part of our commitment to helping customers grow their businesses,” said David Hergenrether, ExxonMobil Chemical vice president, polyethylene. “By working together, we can help customers create differentiated packaging solutions that offer enhanced performance and processing, while helping them to meet their sustainability goals.”
ExxonMobil supplies multiple PE resins for all-PE laminated packaging solutions.
New Exceed 2012MA performance PE polymer reportedly delivers outstanding sealing and extrusion performance for high-integrity flexible packaging films. It can enable reduced energy use, lower per unit packaging costs, and less packaging material and food waste. The resin can be used in lamination packaging, cast stretch packaging, barrier packaging and full PE laminated stand-up pouches
For high-quality coating layers used in laminates, new Exceed 0015XC performance PE polymer delivers excellent sealing performance, a broad hot-tack window and good processing. This new polymer offers easy extrusion onto substrates such as board and paper, aluminum foil, flexible films and PE-based woven fabrics. It is ideal for drink cartons, paper cups, lamitubes, flexible packaging, tarpaulins and raffia coating and also provides opportunities for downgauging.
Cost Saving Purging Best Practices for Extrusion Processors
This white paper will discuss some of the most common extrusion processing issues and will give you a framework to solve them. Our Purging Experts will explain different tips to improve changeovers, remove contamination and more.
ExxonMobil is also introducing new full PE laminated packaging solutions, containing Exceed XP, Exceed and Enable performance PE polymers. These solutions help overcome the recycling issues typically associated with conventional laminated structures.
Often comprising a mix of PET, PA, EVOH or OPP, laminated packaging structures can be challenging to recycle, due to difficulties separating the materials. The new full PE laminated solutions can be recycled with PE film where programs to collect plastic films exists, while delivering the toughness, optical properties and stiffness needed for high-quality packaging, plus material selection is simplified.
source: https://www.plasticstoday.com/content/exxonmobil-debuts-new-polyethylene-technology-advancements-chinaplas/4733792460987

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So now we have two new keyword phrases … laminated packaging, and recycling.

TIP: Google® PE laminated packaging recycling
One result …

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Multi-Material Flexible Packaging Recovery
This Industry Leadership Committee studies sustainable end-of-life solutions for multi-laminate flexible packaging.
CONTACT
tristanne.davis@greenblue.org
This committee’s mission is to provide resources for companies that want to learn more about multi-material flexible packaging recovery and learn about what actions can be taken to improve the sustainability of multi-material flexible packaging.
SPC team lead:
Tristanne Davis, Senior Manager
Flexible plastic packaging continues to grow as a material of demand. Between 2010 and 2014 global demand for flexible packaging grew 56 percent. In the U.S., flexible packaging is the fastest growing and second largest segment within the packaging industry.
While we refer to flexible packaging as whole, the types of resins, polymers and formats used to create flexible packaging varies widely. This complexity, created by using one or more types of polymers to create flexible packaging, challenges the efficient collection, separation, recycling and resale of this material. While new innovations and systems have been created to address single polymer materials, limited options for the end-of-life management of multi-materials flexible film packaging continues to challenge these types of packages.
Mono- vs Multi-Material Flexible Packaging
Mono-material flexible packaging uses one polymer only — most often polyethylene. Commonly found in plastic bags, produce bags and self-sealed food storage bags, these can currently be collected and recycled through the U.S. at store-drop-off center, or in limited municipal curbside collection programs.
Multi-material flexible packaging is composed of two or more materials joined together with adhesive or wax. By layering different materials together manufacturers can create a package with unique barrier and mechanical properties. Additionally, multi-material films are typically thinner and lighter than single (mono) material equivalents. This helps reduce demand for resources required to produce and transport packaging–including reduced greenhouse gases. Because of these advantages, in addition to cost savings, when compared to rigid plastics multi-material flexible packaging, specifically food pouches, is anticipated to be one of the fastest growing packaging formats over the next few years. However, their nature as lightweight and multi-material structures is exactly what complicates their ability for recovery, and in particular, their suitability for mechanical recycling.
Current compositions of multi-material flexible packaging vary from three layers up to nine. Because there is no standard composition, and different resins are utilized across the various layers, there is no existing program anywhere across the globe to provide for the public recovery of these materials. With an estimated 40 billion packages produced from multi-material films annually in the U.S., finding solutions to collect, sort and recover these materials is becoming of increasing interest to packaging and waste communities, as well as, consumers across the globe.
By collecting and highlighting global efforts to advance recovery options for multi-material flexible packaging, it is our aim to advance the collective understanding, and shared best practices, towards the goal of creating a sustainable solution for the management of multi-material flexible packaging at their end of life.
Mapping Challenges for Multi-Material Recycling Across the Recovery System
Design
•No standard design
Collection
•Risk of food contamination makes retail ready collection less likely
•Consumers not aware of what can be put in Store Drop-off bin
Sortation
•Too many different designs makes it impossible to identify resin composition
•Material ends up with paper because of its two dimensional format and light weight
Processing
•Many films are contaminated by food and drink
•Multiple designs on market makes it difficult to identify at post-consumer level
End Markets
•Limited upcycle markets currently available but not economically viable
•Some alternative conversion technologies require consistent volumes and quantities which are difficult to achieve from post-consumer collection
•Downcycling growing
The Chicago Tribune
Collaborative Projects
The projects listed below are initiatives designed to answer questions around the potential recovery of hard-to-recycle plastics including multi-material films.
Please note that none of these projects addressed multi-material films independently. In order to meet cost effective collection, sortation or processing, projects typically included a variety of hard-to-recycle plastics.
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
Closed Loop Foundation
Flexible Aluminum (Containing Laminate) Collection Trial
The Energy Bag
REFLEX (Recycling of Flexible Packaging) Project
Flexible Packaging in a Circular Economy (FIACE)
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX)
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
Closed Loop Foundation
Flexible Aluminum (Containing Laminate) Collection Trial
The Energy Bag
REFLEX (Recycling of Flexible Packaging) Project
Flexible Packaging in a Circular Economy (FIACE)
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX)
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
Flexible Aluminum (Containing Laminate) Collection Trial
A pilot project based within the UK established to understand the potential to develop a curbside collection and processing program for aluminum-containing packaging. The program evaluated three different communities all with different curbside programs and population.
The Energy Bag
The Hefty Energy Bag program, developed by the Dow Chemical Company, uses existing municipal waste management infrastructure to collect, sort, and direct traditionally non-recyclable plastics toward energy conversion.
Learn more
REFLEX (Recycling of Flexible Packaging) Project
Based in the UK, REFLEX was a collaborative research and development project designed to understand and address the technical barriers to mechanical recycling of flexible plastic packaging in the post-consumer waste stream. The initial aims of REFLEX were completed in 2016. Further work will now be transferred to CEFLEX to help develop and grow insights for application across all of Europe.
Flexible Packaging in a Circular Economy (FIACE)
Based in the EU, this project seeks to document the value added by flexible packaging solutions, as well as identify future opportunities which would provide the potential to further 'close the loop.' The project explores food-contact flexible films, including multi-material structures. FIACE intentionally excluded research on collection and sortation which is believed to be covered by other initiatives. Effective 2017, FIACE has merged with CEFLEX.
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX)
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) explores the opportunities for multi-material flexible packaging across its lifecycle; particularly as it relates to being able to create a circular economy for material re-use. Data from REFLEX, the Flexible Aluminum Containing Laminate Collection Trials and FIACE all feeds into this project in order to drive a solution applicable across Europe.
Learn more
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) is a multi-year research project designed to identify how currently unrecyclable flexible packaging could be separated at a material recycling facility (MRF) in a single stream recycling system. Additionally, the project seeks to identify the most cost-effective way to separate and create film bales for sale in order to help drive end market growth.
Learn more
Closed Loop Foundation
Project 6 of 7
Closed Loop Foundation
The Closed Loop Foundation funds research and development of technologies and business models focused on building the circular economy.
Learn more
Flexible Aluminum (Containing Laminate) Collection Trial
A pilot project based within the UK established to understand the potential to develop a curbside collection and processing program for aluminum-containing packaging. The program evaluated three different communities all with different curbside programs and population.
The Energy Bag
The Hefty Energy Bag program, developed by the Dow Chemical Company, uses existing municipal waste management infrastructure to collect, sort, and direct traditionally non-recyclable plastics toward energy conversion.
REFLEX (Recycling of Flexible Packaging) Project
Based in the UK, REFLEX was a collaborative research and development project designed to understand and address the technical barriers to mechanical recycling of flexible plastic packaging in the post-consumer waste stream. The initial aims of REFLEX were completed in 2016. Further work will now be transferred to CEFLEX to help develop and grow insights for application across all of Europe.
Flexible Packaging in a Circular Economy (FIACE)
Based in the EU, this project seeks to document the value added by flexible packaging solutions, as well as identify future opportunities which would provide the potential to further 'close the loop.' The project explores food-contact flexible films, including multi-material structures. FIACE intentionally excluded research on collection and sortation which is believed to be covered by other initiatives. Effective 2017, FIACE has merged with CEFLEX.
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX)
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) explores the opportunities for multi-material flexible packaging across its lifecycle; particularly as it relates to being able to create a circular economy for material re-use. Data from REFLEX, the Flexible Aluminum Containing Laminate Collection Trials and FIACE all feeds into this project in order to drive a solution applicable across Europe.
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) is a multi-year research project designed to identify how currently unrecyclable flexible packaging could be separated at a material recycling facility (MRF) in a single stream recycling system. Additionally, the project seeks to identify the most cost-effective way to separate and create film bales for sale in order to help drive end market growth.
Closed Loop Foundation
The Closed Loop Foundation funds research and development of technologies and business models focused on building the circular economy.
Flexible Aluminum (Containing Laminate) Collection Trial
A pilot project based within the UK established to understand the potential to develop a curbside collection and processing program for aluminum-containing packaging. The program evaluated three different communities all with different curbside programs and population.
This map shows the range of facilities capable of recovering pre-consumer multi-material flexible packaging waste.
Read more about this map
Know of another facility that we should add? Email us at spcinfo@greenblue.org.
Lessons Learned
Developing a sustainable solution to recover multi-material films will require solutions across all phases of the recovery system
In summarizing the key findings found in the final reports issued by the various collaborative projects, key lessons and next steps begin to emerge which offer a promising roadmap towards sustainable recycling solutions for multi-material flexible packaging.
Explore lessons learned
Industry Working Groups
Considering the significant advantages to using multi-material flexible packaging, many users and manufacturers continue to seek sustainable solutions for their end of life. Evaluating lifecycle impacts of different recovery schemes, identifying opportunities to improve processes, and seeking to drive recycling options are common objectives by a variety of industry coalitions. Below is a list of many of the current industry initiatives exploring viable solutions to increase the recovery options of multi-material packaging.
American Chemistry Council: Plastics to Fuel & Petrochemistry Alliance (PTF)
Formed in 2014, this group seeks to increase the awareness of plastics-to-fuel (PTF) technologies with the aim to establish PTF into a strong and viable alternative energy industry. Additionally, the group seeks to increase understanding of the sustainability benefits of using this technology as a recovery solution for difficult to recover plastics. Engagement is through paid membership to the Alliance.
Website: Plastics to Fuel and PetroChemistry Alliance
Flexible Packaging Resource Recovery Task Group
This ongoing working group of the Flexible Packaging Association seeks to facilitate the advancement of flexible packaging recovery, with a focus on recovery options. Only members of the Flexible Packaging Association may be engaged; although the task group and association do have a history of sharing resources and collaborating with peers on like-minded projects.
Website: Flexible Packaging Association
PACNEXT: Multi-Material Film & Bags Committee
PACNEXT launched the Multi-Material Film & Bags project committee in 2011 in order to assess opportunities for improving cost effective film recovery. The committee is currently working on a collaborative project with Stewardship Ontario, the Continuous Improvement Fund and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of recycling post-consumer multi-material flexible packaging. They are currently performing a trial with three end-processors.
Engagement in this committee is through membership with PACNEXT
Website: PacNext
Mechanical Recycling Options
Although the technical capability exists, the challenge with existing processes for mechanical recycling of multi-material flexible packaging is the need to know what the incoming resin composition is and keeping it consistent and relatively clean. As more information and processes are tested for effective collection and sortation, wider application of these technologies may exist.
Other End-of-Life Options
Recovery options for multi-material flexible packaging includes more than just recycling. Creative thinking in design and end products can permit for increased opportunity.
Chemical Recycling: The chemical reconstitution of plastic films to a synthetic oil. This is done by heating the plastic at high temperatures in a chamber that is void of oxygen. Once converted into synthesis oil, a variety of end products may be created.
Emerging research on the best available technologies suggests this may be one of the most sustainable and viable options currently available for the end of life management of multi-material flexible packaging. However, most waste-to-fuel technologies are still in the pilot stage and the economics of the market are still emerging. Sortation and collection of significant volumes is still a challenge. The processing of multi-material flexible packaging only is unlikely to produce sufficient volume, additional plastics to supplement processing demand is likely.
Waste-to-energy: The process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the combustion of mixed waste, including multi-material flexible packaging left for disposal.
While waste-to-energy is a commonly accepted practice in many European countries, it is less popular in North America. Access to facilities may be limited and the ability to re-use materials is eliminated.
Compostability and composting: The ability to create multi-material compostable films is another opportunity to consider. According to European Standard EN 13432, and supported by ATSM D6400, compostable films must breakdown a minimum of 90% into CO2, water and minerals within an industrial composting setting within six months. Additionally, they must not leave any harmful residue behind. Films designated to be compostable can be labelled by either the European OK Compost label,  the Biodegradable Products Institute(BPI) label, or the SPC’s How2Compost label, after proving that they pass ASTM D6400 requirements in an approved laboratory test.
While compostability may be an option, collection and acceptance of compostable films still remains limited in most municipalities, and access to industrial composting is significantly restricted as a result of limited permitted facilities.
source: https://sustainablepackaging.org/committees/multi-material-flexible-packaging-recovery/
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Finally, consider Karen McKee, currently president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company (see the press release at the top of this post.) She appears to be a rising star in the ExxonMobil enterprise.

TIP: Google® Karen McKee exxonmobil
One result ...

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Karen McKee
Senior Vice President
Basic Chemicals, Integration & Growth
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Spring, TX
Karen McKee is Senior Vice President ExxonMobil Chemical Company. In this position, she manages the company’s global Basic Chemicals and Catalysts & Licensing businesses. Her responsibilities also include integration with Exxon Mobil Corporation and Growth Ventures (www.gulfcoastgv.com/).
Karen joined the company in Great Britain in 1990, where she held a range of assignments in Chemical, Manufacturing and Refining. Following a variety of business positions based in Brussels, Belgium and Houston, Texas, she was appointed Vice President of the Adhesion Industry Global Business Unit in 2007. In 2010 she became Vice President of Operations for Lubricants & Specialties and subsequently for Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties, based in Fairfax, Virginia. She was appointed Executive Assistant to the Chairman, based in Irving,
Texas, in 2013, and became Vice President of Basic Chemicals in 2014. She assumed the position of Senior Vice President in 2017.
She co-chaired the Downstream Women’s Leadership Team and currently chairs the Chemical Women’s Leadership Team for executive women in ExxonMobil.
Karen has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from The University of Nottingham, England. She and her husband Mark, also an ExxonMobil employee, have two daughters.
source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi6tuO4uNjjAhVRUK0KHe8bBB8QFjABegQIBBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.exxonmobilchemical.com%2F~%2Fmedia%2Famer%2Fus%2Fchem%2Fmicsellaneous%2Fexecutive_bio_karen_mckee_en.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1lpI-JLIj0-62y-o6kNe4X

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