SABIC collaborates with Kraton for certified renewable butadiene to produce certified renewable styrenic block copolymers

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry has announced a new collaboration with Kraton, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, to deliver certified renewable butadiene from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio for use in Kraton’s certified renewable styrenic block copolymers (SBC).

This effort forms part of SABIC’s 2025 strategy, which includes a Sustainability Development Goal roadmap spanning the organization’s entire value chain and addressing 10 goals to help drive meaningful sustainable change.

SABIC’s certified renewable butadiene is derived from animal-free and palm oil-free ‘second generation’ renewable feedstock, such as tall oil, a by-product from the wood pulping process in the paper industry. This feedstock is not in direct competition with human food and animal feed production sources.

According to the cradle-to-gate lifecycle analysis, from sourcing, the raw feedstock to producing the polymers, each kilogram of the company’s bio-based butadiene reduces CO 2 emissions by an average of 4 kilograms compared to fossil-based virgin alternatives. Additionally, each ton of the butadiene also cuts fossil depletion by up to 80 percent.

Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Vice President, Chemical at SABIC adds, “Sustainability in SABIC is embedded across our organization and goes hand in hand with our commitment to helping our customers and their customers meet their own sustainability targets. Developing more sustainable solutions requires partnerships across the value chain.

Our collaboration with Kraton for renewable butadiene as feedstock for Kraton’s polymers is another example of working together towards our common goals and confirms the wide interest from the chemicals industry in developing sustainable solutions for the future. After SABIC’s earlier successes in developing certified renewable and circular ethylene, propylene, and benzene, we are delighted to add certified renewable butadiene to our TRUCIRCLE portfolio.”

SABIC’s certified renewable butadiene will be used in Kraton’s newly launched ISCC PLUS certified renewable CirKular+ Renew Series to expand Kraton& the existing suite of solutions designed to advance the circular economy. With up to 70% certified renewable content, the Renew Series offers customers the opportunity to use the mass balance approach and adopt ISCC PLUS certification to produce renewable products. Kraton successfully produced CirKular+ Renew Series Hydrogenated Styrenic Block Copolymers (HSBC) at the Berre plant earlier this year using SABIC’s renewable butadiene.

 Kraton’s ambition is to enable the bioeconomy and play a role in advancing the circular economy. Value chain collaboration is instrumental in achieving progress towards a circular economy. Kraton is excited to collaborate with SABIC in using certified renewable butadiene enables us to develop and produce styrenic block copolymers with up to 70% of certified renewable raw material content, said Holger Jung, Kraton Senior Vice President, and Polymer Segment President.  This is an exciting innovation for our customers as it can help reduce the carbon footprint of fossil-based HSBC made in our Berre plant by up to 65 percent.”

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISSC) Plus certification is a globally-recognized system that provides traceability of recycled and renewable-based materials across a complex supply chain, by following predefined and transparent rules.

SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio spans a range of products and services, including design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of used plastic, certified renewable products from bio-based feedstock, and closed-loop initiatives to recycle plastic back into high-quality applications and help prevent valuable used plastics from becoming waste.

#renewable butadiene #certified renewable #styrenic block copolymers

Lithium project: LANXESS and Standard Lithium agree on next steps

LANXESS and Standard Lithium have signed an agreement setting forth the path forward for their lithium project. After 20 months of testing on the basis of a pilot plant Standard Lithium will now in the next step, conduct a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study in order to evaluate the potential construction of a first industrial plant to produce lithium carbonate at LANXESS’ site in El Dorado, Arkansas/USA. The focus of the FEED study is the economic viability and technical feasibility of the production of lithium carbonate on an industrial scale. The final results of this study are targeted for Q4/2022.

In case of successful completion of the FEED study, Standard Lithium could build a plant for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate at one of the three LANXESS plants in El Dorado at their own expense. LANXESS does not bear any investment risk but has the option to acquire resulting battery-grade lithium carbonate from Standard Lithium at advantageous pricing, i.e. at a discount of up to 20 percent to market, the final discount to be determined together with the conclusion of other project-related supply and services agreements between LANXESS and Standard Lithium.

LANXESS has a right to participate in the project company up to ownership of 49 percent, whereas the value of this participation would be based upon the capitalization of the project company. By signing this agreement, LANXESS safeguards opportunities in the attractive lithium market without taking downside or commodity price risk.

#lithium project #Lanxess #Standard Lithium #nextstep

www.lanxess.in

Lindner at IFAT 2022: Efficient Recovery of Recyclable Materials in Line with the Circular Economy

Energy-efficient and profitable solutions for the challenges of tomorrow’s waste management – at the IFAT 2022, hall B6, booth 251/350, and the VDMA outdoor area, the recycling pioneer Lindner will present innovative shredders and system solutions that maximise efficiency and output gains and enable waste disposal and recycling companies to successfully enter the field of plastics recycling.

“Make the most of waste” – This motto has been guiding Lindner Recyclingtech’s work for many, many years,
and yet it is more relevant than ever. The Green Deal and the associated New Circular Economy Action Plan
(CEAP) call not only for the reduction of CO2 emissions, electrification of the economy, and greater energy
efficiency but, above all, ask for potential secondary raw materials contained in material flows to be better
processed and analyzed. At the IFAT 2022, hall B6, booth 251/350, Lindner will be showcasing solutions for
these industry-specific and future-oriented challenges and will also be presenting ways to obtain and process
recyclable plastics.

From zero to hero in plastics recycling
Plastic recycling is becoming increasingly important in waste management. Improved sorting and shredding
systems enable potential secondary raw materials – including plastics – to be optimally extracted. At the IFAT
2022, Lindner is reaching out to waste disposal and recycling companies who want to take advantage of
Lindner’s extensive, long-standing plastics expertise and actively enter this emerging industry. In addition to
its experience in sorting, shredding, and washing, Lindner also offers specific consulting on individual or
system solutions and engineering.

Saving energy and increasing output
The future belongs to the electric motor. Energy-saving, they make a valuable contribution to reducing
operating costs, saving CO2, and promoting a future with lower emissions. Lindner’s innovative E-models,
which are available in both stationary and mobile, offer cost-effective operation with optimized efficiency at all
times. The DEX (Dynamic Energy Exchange) is one of Lindner’s signature features and ensures maximum
efficiency and consistent performance through its active recovery of braking energy. Compared to conventional
hydraulic drives, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 40% by actively recovering braking energy
during shaft reversing. Continuously high performance also increases the throughput significantly. A win-win
through and through.

Higher availability and productivity
Higher input flows alongside the pursuit of increased productivity call for a sustainable, comprehensive, and
yet cost-effective solution. At the IFAT 2022, Lindner will be presenting numerous product innovations with
simplified maintenance options. The resulting higher availability, combined with lower maintenance needs,
also counteracts the industry’s general shortage of skilled workers.

#effeicentrecovery #recyclematerial #productivity #costeffective 

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Why Artificial intelligence is a wise investment

What does the phrase Artificial Intelligence (AI) conjure up for you? Is it unfathomable science fiction software programmers, driverless cars, or autonomous robots?

AI is, according to Cambridge Dictionary, ‘the study of how to produce machines that have some of the qualities that the human mind has, such as the ability to understand language, recognize pictures, solve problems, and learn’.

That ability is already very much a part of our lives. Forbes highlights ten everyday uses including face ID for phones, spam filters on emails, fraud detection in banking and even viewing recommendations on Netflix. Its uses are increasing every day – including in the printing industry.

Among the essential production benefits, AI can offer, highlighted by Keypoint Intelligence, are the ability to:

• Continually improve as it can manage new situations while traditional software can only complete what it is programmed to perform. An AI solution has a core set of capabilities that grows as it learns the types of print jobs being run.
• Grow through pattern recognition and learning by correction. AI has the ability to handle much broader capabilities than traditional or rules-based programs and then learn through any mistakes.
• Respond to new, unexpected, situations making it ideal for real-world applications where anything can happen.

In fact, Ricoh developed the Ricoh Pro Scanner Option with a vision system that can exceed human performance. It identifies details that improve accuracy and consistency, decrease manual touchpoints and increase the overall efficiency of production through predictive analytics. Available for the Ricoh Pro VC60000 and Ricoh Pro VC70000 high-speed inkjet platforms it constantly monitors production to check on the machine’s condition and the quality and accuracy of the printed content. It continually feeds back to the machine controls so the AI element can improve future production. It informs engineering if a preventative maintenance visit should be planned.

It can also help automate a variety of labor-intensive and time-consuming tasks, such as printhead cleaning, paper profiling, and even daily start-up routines. The consistency of machine-generated profiles ensures there are no variations between the approaches of one operator compared to the next. Over time it carefully measures the results of each task, noting differences in results and methods and gradually, intelligently, and automatically improving the machine’s overall performance.

Data is important as a business currency and AI is the brain that invests it wisely. AI helps solve complex problems in today’s workplace by learning from data and applying continuous adjustments to optimize business processes, empower employees and engage customers.

artificial intelligence #wise #investment #richo

A Sustainable View of Packaging in 2022 and Beyond.

There are many aspects of what we used to think of as normal life that has been irreversibly changed by two factors: the pandemic and the climate crisis. And the packaging industry is not immune to these changing dynamics.

That being said, the industry – across the entire supply chain from raw materials suppliers to manufacturers, brands, and consumers – is shifting the way we think about packaging. In 2018, the EU passed Directive (EU) 2018/852 for packaging waste which states that by end of 2025, a total of 65% of all packaging waste should be recycled. Consumers are beginning to demand less product packaging that is more sustainable yet can still adequately protect products.

Brands are responding to these demands – and to their own sustainability goals – by turning to package converters for greener packaging options. And converters, in turn, are looking for ways to incorporate more sustainable materials and practices into their product development, manufacturing, and distribution processes.

The ultimate goal is to achieve sustainability across the supply chain. But the achievement of this goal is not necessarily in line with corporate cost savings goals. In order to improve sustainability, investments must be made. And consumers need to be educated about the value of more sustainable product packaging and be willing to pay a premium for it.

Sustainability: A Goal Worth Pursuing

Due to both consumer demand and climate crisis pressures, we see that sustainable efforts are becoming increasingly important to brands. To achieve a low carbon impact, brands must engage the entire supply chain for a life cycle assessment of the carbon footprint for each of their products.

To the extent that other stakeholders across the supply chain have measured their carbon footprint in accordance with PAS 2050, the brands can actually apply those CO2 emission calculations to their own footprint. Thus, brands should be looking for suppliers who are pursuing a carbon measured strategy or whose products/materials have already been measured.

Asahi Photoproducts is on the path to studying carbon neutrality. Having met PAS 2050 standards for measuring our current state, we continue to evaluate the possibility to reduce our product carbon impact for our next generation AWP-DEW CleanPrint water-washable flexographic plates.

A Heritage of Sustainability

Our move to bring more sustainable products to market did not start during the pandemic. Rather, we have been working toward this goal for half a century, even though the terminology for the various aspects of sustainability has changed many times over those years. Asahi Kasei was in fact the first manufacturer of a water-washable liquid photopolymer plate resin (APRTM) in 1971.

For many years, our parent company Asahi Kasei has recognized that climate change is a serious global issue, impacting both the natural environment and society as a whole. Its group mission has been and continues to be, to contribute to life and living for people around the world.

Even when much of the world’s economic and social activity was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions did not decrease greatly, and emissions began increasing again when economic and social activity resumed. This is one indication of the difficulty of resolving the issue of climate change, and the need to accelerate relevant efforts. It is a key driver in Asahi Kasei’s increased drive toward attaining carbon neutrality status in all of its operations by 2050.

For Asahi Photoproducts, an early and key aspect of our drive toward delivering products in harmony with the environment includes moving from a hydrocarbon-based solvent wash platemaking process to a non-VOC-based alternative such as water wash. But, of course, we are not stopping there as we continue our journey to a carbon-neutral status. We will also continue to study our raw material and manufacturing processes to determine how that might fit into our future development efforts.

It is also important to note that with the improved quality and productivity flexographic printing technology has achieved over the years with innovations such as Asahi’s CleanPrint family of water wash plates, flexo is well-positioned to compete with both offset and rotogravure printing.

It should be noted that rotogravure accounts for about 20% of packaging printing worldwide, but has a key disadvantage: It requires the use of a highly toxic chemical, Chromium trioxide, for manufacturing rotogravure cylinders. While the European Union has extended its approval for the use of this chemical through September 2024, that does not diminish its impact on rotogravure’s carbon footprint. It’s just one of the components of the rotogravure process that makes it significantly less sustainable than flexography, especially using solvent-less production of the plates.

Packaged versus Fresh

There is another trend that is important to mention, and that is the growth of what is known as “Zero Waste Shops” selling unpacked foodstuffs. While this approach is admirable in reducing packaging waste at a local level, it may not be able to solve the food waste problem on a larger scale. Food waste is a significant problem globally, and in many areas of the world, food security is a growing issue. Packaged food, on the other hand, especially if packaging material can be reused as a new raw material in a closed-loop circular economy, can actually be more sustainable.

Using lightweight functional barrier films in packaging to prevent moisture, oxygen, and contaminants from food contact can vastly improve food shelf life and reduce food waste. In the end, non-packaged food on a large scale likely results in more spoiled food, actually wasting this valuable resource. Not everything needs to be packaged, of course. But there is value in a smart hybrid model for retail food that can minimize waste and maximize sustainability.

A Final Note

For flexographic operations, in addition to careful supply chain management, efforts toward carbon neutrality, and other sustainability initiatives, we see three growing trends that can help these operations be not only more sustainable but also more profitable in 2022 and beyond. These include:

• More automated platemaking reduces time, cost, and carbon footprint in the value chain. An example is CrystalCleanConnect, a fully automated platemaking line jointly developed by Asahi and ESKO, and Kongsberg. The first two units have been installed in Asia and are delivering terrific results. This fully automated platemaking system has a direct and positive impact on the sustainability of flexo platemaking and encourages converters to make the shift from rotogravure to flexo.
• In-house platemaking at the converter site. As more automation is introduced into the platemaking process, it becomes easier, more efficient, and more sustainable to bring platemaking in-house. A side benefit is that plate production times can be reduced from days to hours.
• Transitioning away from a hydrocarbon-based solvent wash platemaking process to non-VOC-based alternatives such as water-wash.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that life is not as predictable as we may have thought. And it is absolutely clear that the world has truly changed, even beyond the threats posed by the coronavirus. We must come together to address these challenges in a meaningful way, and Asahi Photoproducts is determined to be a leader in these efforts, especially as it relates to sustainability. In the past one to two years, there has been a marked increase in awareness regarding problems of greenhouse gases, plastic waste, food waste, and other issues related to achieving harmony between the development of human society and the global environment.

No one individual, company, or government can single-handedly cure the climate crisis. It takes universal, global collaboration and cooperation to get the world to a point where climate deterioration is eased. Asahi Photoproducts is proud to be a contributor to this worldwide effort.

#sustainability #packaging #photoproducs #hertiage 

How digital manufacturing can widen your range of applications

If you’re thinking of widening your range of applications and wondering how to go about it – Get excited!  Moving into full digital print production and manufacturing means you can expand your portfolio and radically change your business.

Digitization and the latest innovative technologies can now give you the freedom and the guarantees to cost-effectively and efficiently drive your business to new levels of capacity and capability. The range of possible applications is widening significantly and the options and choices are only limited by your imagination and ambition. The key is to find the right equipment supplier to make it happen!

We have all been part of the huge uptake in online ordering during the pandemic. The retail game has radically changed and everyone in the supply chain has to be ready and able. Differentiating and delivering products to satisfy the consumer’s ever-changing tastes and preferences is a continuing challenge for everyone. Market trends continue to evolve.

Consumers are constantly online searching for ‘stand out’ high-quality products and brand owners and designers are continually refreshing their brands. Equipment suppliers and printers and converters have to continually review and expand their capabilities and adopt the latest innovations and technologies to satisfy all the stakeholders and keep ahead of the competition.

If you are looking for innovation and the latest info on digital, Xeikon is your ‘go-to’ digital guru. As a leading supplier of everything digital, having a chat with them is a good starting place for any company looking to the future. With over 40 years experience of in digital innovation, Xeikon’s vision has always been to offer printers and converters a clear pathway to digital transformation.

One of the first things that Xeikon will tell you: ‘make sure you have an up-to-date and flexible, intelligent and innovative workflow’ that can drive and efficiently manage the zillions of small jobs that you will have to handle. Speed to market is essential so, apart from a clever and robust digital press with man/machine and machine/machine interfaces.

you will also need powerful cloud-connected software like Xeikon’s X-800 Digital Front End which has ‘ahead of the game’ capabilities for data management and security and full-color controls to drive multiple applications for the print and manufacturing of any kind of labels including high-end and security labels for track & trace against counterfeiting, interior décor applications such as wallpapers and textiles, also graphic arts applications such as books and bibles using the thinnest of papers, postcards with creative personalization, calendars, posters, direct mail, point of sale – the list goes on and on….. 

Xeikon is a technology agnostic company. They can advise you on the best way forward on your digital pathway to expand your business. They can advise you on how best to expand your portfolio of applications – whether to go with dry toner technology or inkjet technology for example. It’s not always known but different applications require different technologies to get the best results. Having the right finishing equipment will also equip you with flexible, high-end embellishment capability.

Xeikon’s portfolio is bang up to date:

• Cheetah dry toner technology with full accreditation for food-safe applications
• Panther inkjet technology for high gloss, durable applications
• Sirius technology for graphic arts applications
• Idera technology for corrugated packaging – all driven by Xeikon’s X-800 digital front end.

Xeikon has carefully structured and developed its portfolio with the very latest technologies to offer printers and converters every opportunity to create the widest range of added value applications – all from one supplier – Go on, give them a call! You can check their services on their online advisory hub ‘Transform’

#digitalmarketing #widerange #transform #xeikon