ECONOMY AND MARKET |
|||||
Italian technology plast / April 2023 |
Maire Tecnimont Expands its Circular Economy Portfolio
Maire Tecnimont announces that its subsidiary NextChem has signed an agreement with Biorenova to acquire , scale up and industrialize the proprietary CatC technology , a continuous chemical recycling process to recover monomers ( building blocks for the plastic value chain ) with ultra-high levels of purity from sorted plastic waste , particularly Polymethylmethacrylate ( PMMA , commonly plexiglass ). NextChem intends to scale up CatC ’ s industrialization in the plexiglass market , while progressively expanding its application to other valueadded plastics , as this technology could also be suitable for the depolymerization of polystyrene , a largely used plastic with numerous industrial applications from food packaging to electronics and automotive , among others . Moreover , a further optimization of the technology could allow to address the even larger polyolefins market . The CatC technology has been developed in the Abruzzo region ( central Italy ), where the first market development plant has already been built . Monomer samples have been fully validated by perspective off-takers . Once scaled up , CatC would provide a cost-effective , competitive alternative to other existing depolymerization technologies for plexiglass , as the obtained monomers can be used directly without any further treatment . Biorenova S . p . A . is an innovative company engaged in the development of circular economy proprietary technologies , particularly in recovering materials through CatC technology , and hydrogen bioproduction . NextChem will hold a 51 % stake of a new company ( NewCo ) which will own the CatC technology . Biorenova
Alessandro Bernini , Maire Tecnimont Group Chief Executive Officer
|
will maintain the remaining 49 %. Closing , is expected to take place by 30 April 2023 , subject to customary conditions . This acquisition is strategically significant since it allows the Group to expand its technological portfolio and enter new markets . Expected revenues coming from such activity are expected to progressively grow to an overall value of € 30 million by 2028 . After this ramp-up period , yearly revenues are expected to be in the € 15- 20 million range . NextChem through the NewCo will act as technology licensor , high-value process engineering and critical equipment provider . Alessandro Bernini , Maire Tecnimont Group Chief Executive Officer , commented : “ With this agreement we are further expanding the Group ’ s technological portfolio of depolymerization technologies , following our experience in chemical recycling . We will progressively apply such innovative technology to several added-value markets . This is a further step for NextChem ’ s Circular District model , which integrates technologies for decarbonization and recycling , leveraging our existing leadership in the plastics value chain .”
Adriano Alfani ( Versalis ) Receives 2022 Icis Emerging Leader Award
Versalis ’ CEO Adriano Alfani has received the 2022 ICIS Emerging Leader Award as voted on and recognised by his peers in the chemical industry as part of the Icis Top 40 Power Players . The prestigious ICIS Emerging Leader Award was presented to Mr . Alfani by Icis Insight Editor , Nigel Davis , who took the opportunity to discuss some of the main challenges facing the industry . Many chemical companies are running selective demonstration trials in focused areas of Carbon Footprint reduction . Versalis ’ commitment , not only to alliances at international level such as the Circular Plastics Alliance ( CPA ), but also to a wide range of transformative initiatives on their own sites at industrial and commercial scale and beyond threshold targets , led to their win . Including :
• Complementary approach towards decarbonisation targets
• Chemicals via fermentation : bioethanol , biogas and biomethane
• Use of alternative feedstocks
• Acquisition and development of new
|
Adriano Alfani , Versalis Chief Executive Officer
technologies for mechanical and chemical recycling
• Broaden market participation through an integrated supply chain for special polymers
“ This award is a well-earned recognition of our team . It ’ s a credit to all at Versalis who have worked very hard over the last few years . I joined the company as CEO at the beginning of 2021 , during the pandemic ; the company has since developed substantially as we ’ ve made significant investments in research , innovation and the development of new technologies ,” said Mr . Alfani . Dean Curtis , CEO of Icis , commented , “ Versalis is an excellent example of what the chemical industry is capable of and shows how a sector founded on innovation continues to evolve to meet the current global challenges we are facing . It is no surprise that Mr . Alfani ’ s peers voted for him to receive this award . Both Mr . Alfani and the team at Versalis should be very proud of their evolution at such a key time .” Mr . Alfani added , “ Versalis is a forwardthinking , innovation-led business , committed to investing in the manufacture of chemicals based on circularity and renewables . The team has worked hard over the past 10 years to develop new technologies and we are delighted with the success we have achieved so far . This is not a time for anyone in the chemical industry to stand still , and we will continue our work and investments to decarbonize , grow our business , and add the agility and flexibility we need to be resilient for the future .”
|
AMB and Skipso Unveil New Global Innovation Program
AMB , a renowned global leader in food packaging , and Skipso , a leading provider
|
of innovation advisory services and management platforms , have launched “ AMB D2BD ,” an innovation program focused on the packaging sector . With support from management consulting firm SCS Consulting , the program seeks to collaborate with startups that are developing cuttingedge solutions for sustainable packaging , smart packaging , and improved shelf-life quality . In addition , AMB is also looking for innovative solutions from other key markets . “ The partnership with Skipso aligns and supports the innovative culture that we have within the AMB business ,” says Giles Peacock , CEO of AMB . “ The process will link us to some of the best startups and SMEs around the world as we continue to support sustainability transformation within the packaging sector . We ’ re excited about the new ideas and thinking that we will discover as we move through the process .” The objective of the project is to drive innovation at AMB by fostering collaboration with forward-thinking entities from around the world to co-create pioneering solutions that will transform the packaging industry . The program ’ s focus areas include :
• Beyond Sustainability : Solutions that facilitate the introduction of raw and new materials in the packaging industry in the medium to long term . As well as applications that enable circular economies and enhance the performance of mono-material packaging or other / new product types with reduced plastic content .
• Intelligent & Smart Packaging : Innovative solutions that provide traceability and information about the value / supply chain path , and smart solutions that reduce quality failures in the process , while preventing the misuse of products in the customer chain .
Giles Peacock , CEO of AMB
|
024 |
www . plastmagazine . it |