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trends & updates

11recyclinginternational.com | November/December | 2020

Fotobijschrift

kaderkoP
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e-ScraP induStry gathering
ierc 2021 called oFF

the leading event for the global electronics recy-
cling sector, the International Electronics Recycling
Congress, was due to be celebrating its 20th anni-
versary in January. However, due to the pandemic
there will be no event nor birthday party.
‘Travel restrictions and safety measures put in place
over the past few weeks all over the world force us
to make the difficult decision to cancel IERC 2021,’
says Jeanette Duttlinger of Swiss event organiser
ICM.
‘Following increased and overwhelming concerns
about health and safety, we feel that this is the
best way to proceed during such an unprecedent-
ed global situation,’ she stresses. ‘We deeply
regret that we are unable to hold this congress but
we know it is the right decision based on the infor-
mation we have today.’
IERC 2022 will take place on 19-21 January 2022.
As always, it will be staged in Salzburg, Austria.

Survey: Pandemic driveS urgency to recycle

most europeans (86%) believe that taking care of our environment and
recycling is even more important since the outbreak of Covid-19 – while 91%
say they would like to do more, according to a poll among almost 14 000
people in 14 European countries.
The survey was conducted by the UK-founded Every Can Counts initiative,
which aims to raise awareness about the advantages of recycling aluminium
beverage cans.
‘The findings show there is a growing awareness about the need to recycle
as much waste as possible and the pandemic has only accelerated that pro-
cess,’ says Every Can Counts Europe director David Van Heuverswyn.
‘People realise how pressing this problem is and are willing to work towards
establishing a true circular economy.’
More than half (52%) the respondents would not prioritise the economy
over the environment, despite the economic slowdown in the wake of the
pandemic. Two out of three say recycling is an obligation for all and that
there is an urgent need to tackle the problem. More than three-quarters of
respondents say they always or often recycle all types of materials while
76% of people often or always recycle their aluminium drink cans, the most
recycled beverage packaging globally.
The survey polled a balanced sample size of 13 793 people older than 16 in
those countries where Every Can Counts has a local initiative: Belgium,
Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Ireland,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and France.

multinational takeS SuStainability SteP towardS
circular PlaSticS
lyondellbasell seeks to lead its manufacturing sector by pledging to produce
two million tonnes of recycled and renewable-based polymers annually by 2030.
The ambition is set out in its annual sustainability report.
The company sells products into more than 100 countries and is the world’s larg-
est producer of polymer compounds. It was the first company to achieve the
parallel commercial production of polypropylene and low-density polyethylene
made from renewable raw materials.
As a next step, LyondellBasell is developing its MoReTec pyrolysis technology,
reducing plastics to their molecular building blocks, and has expanded mechani-
cal recycling of its product grades and colour offerings through a 50/50 joint
venture Quality Circular Polymers.
The company also wants to join peers in the American Chemistry Council and
Plastics Europe industry and ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reused, recy-
cled or recovered by 2040.
‘LyondellBasell has been on a multi-year journey to advance the circular econo-
my and we have made strides in mechanical and advanced recycling as well as
producing renewable-based products,’ says Jim Seward, senior vice president
research & development, technology and sustainability. ‘Our goals underscore
what we see as possible in the next decade and our sustainability ambitions
require us to adapt our business models.
‘When viewed through the lens of technology and innovation, our track record
demonstrates our capacity to advance new collaborations and partnerships for
the benefit of society.’

new dimensions
of wear protection

we understand

we produce

we advise

we are SWB

billions in valuable materials are lost to wear each year

we advise our customers on-site in more than 50 countries worldwide

we are world leader in differentially hardened alloy shredder hammers

we are permanently researching pioneering solutions against wear

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we develop
viridor SellS e-ScraP diviSion
viridor has sold its e-scrap division to Scottish firm Shore Recycling. In
2008, UK-based Viridor acquired Shore but now media reports indicate a
new version of the Shore brand has been established. The new company is
reported as saying it has no immediate plans to reopen an e-scrap recycling
facility near Liverpool Viridor closed this summer. Industry observers expect
Viridor’s new owners KKR to dispose of the group’s recycling assets to con-
centrate on the energy-from-waste business

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