Page 84 from: Recycling International free issue 3 2023

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CONVERTING PLASTIC SCRAP AT LOW TEMPERA-
TURES
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have found
an innovative low-energy, low-tem-
perature recycling method for plastic
scrap.
‘Polyethylene and polypropylene have
many useful properties but their resis-
tance to chemical degradation makes
processing their waste a challenge,
writes Wei Zhang, lead author of the R&D project in the journal
Science. ‘In particular, heating to high temperatures to crack the
underlying carbon–carbon bonds can be energy intensive.’
The researchers report that an aluminium chloride–based ionic liq-
uid medium can break down these polyolefin plastics into liquid
fuels at temperatures below 100°C. The entire reaction takes place
in a single vessel. ‘It takes only three hours and occurs at 70°C. By
comparison, existing recycling techniques typically require two
stages, take much longer and need temperatures of over 200°C.’
The new recycling process ultimately converts unprocessed post-
consumer items into high-quality liquid alkanes with high yields.
The alkylate product is easily separated from the reactant catalyst
mixture.

NETAFIM ENVISIONS ‘GREEN’ AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS FOR MEXICO
Israeli manufacturer Netafim has begun operations at what it claims is Mexico’s largest agricultural plastic recycling plant.
The new facility in Culiacan currently has a capacity of more than
3 000 tonnes per year. Farmers from Baja California, Sonora,
Sinaloa and Chihuahua can drop off used drip irrigation hoses at
the collection centre, where they will be crushed, washed, con-
verted into pellets and made into new hoses.
The plant, which includes a laboratory and covers an area of 40
000 square metres, is powered by a photovoltaic solar system
and a processed water recirculation system.
Sinaloa was the obvious choice for the plant as it is one of the
main agricultural areas in Mexico, says Netafim’s sustainability
director John Farner. ‘Mexico is one of our five most relevant
markets worldwide. Our facility in Culiacan will provide farmers
in the region with an efficient, holistic and rewarding solution to
help them achieve their sustainability goals.’
Farner adds that the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organization recently highlighted the ‘disastrous way’ plastic is
used in agriculture around the world and called on the industry
to act on the issue.
Farner points out that Netafim has recycled more than 170 000
tonnes of plastic in recent years thanks to its recycling plant in
Fresno and other circularity programmes in Australia, Israel, Peru,
Chile and Spain.

ADAMS TAKES ON SECOND KEY E-WASTE
ROLE
Julie-Ann Adams, of Really Green Credentials, will succeed
Alain Vassart as secretary general of the European Battery
Recycling Association (EBRA) when he retires at the end
of 2023.
The appointment was confirmed by a vote of EBRA members
at their annual meeting in Brussels. Adams has also been ceo
of the European Electronics Recyclers Association (EERA)
since January 2022, and is credited with the necessary skills,
experience, and capacity to take on the two roles concurrent-
ly. A press release making the announcement speaks of ‘many
synergies between the two closely aligned organisations’.
Adams has more than 20 years’ experience in the waste man-
agement and local government sector and was a key contrib-
utor in the development and implementation of the WEEE
and Battery and Accumulator regulations in the UK. She is
acknowledged as a leading technical adviser on producer
responsibility regulations and standards and in the general
treatment and recycling technology and waste management
arena.
She says she is excited to join EBRA for challenging times
ahead including the new Battery Regulations, and compli-
mentary legislation and EU objectives in waste shipments,
CRMs, POPs, and the circular economy.

International Automotive Recycling Congress
June 21 – 23, Geneva, Switzerland

International Congress for Battery Recycling
September 6 – 8, Valencia, Spain

International Electronics Recycling Congress
January 17 – 19, Salzburg, Austria

Be part of the Circular Economy Community

www.icm.ch Register now!

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