ITPLAST Marzo 2022 | Page 47

MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
Crocco Receives a Double Certification for the Use of Recycled Plastic Material
Crocco confirms its exceptionality in the reuse of material derived from recycling . Crocco has already achieved in 2020 , 10 years ahead of schedule , the possibility of producing plastic packaging with material derived from recycling up to 60 percent ( the EuropeanXhas set a target for 2030 to recycle 55 percent of plastic packaging ). Now , the Cornedo Vicentino-based company confirms the double Plastica Seconda Vita ( Plastic Second Life ) certification for the production of its polyethylene film for industrial packaging . The special packaging obtained the certification for the use of the PSV mark for heat-shrinkable , neutral or printed films ( used , for example , for bottle packaging ) made with blends of recycled materials from separate waste collection and / or industrial waste in the minimum quantity of 30 percent . “ In order to have a positive impact ,” explains Renato Zelcher , CEO of Crocco , “ and to maintain the properties of healthfulness , sturdiness and lightness of plastic , the material that kick-started modernity and allowed millions of people to be able to use goods that were previously available only to the wealthy , we continue to push on the recycling accelerator . In this way we can reduce the virgin raw material use and consequently the carbon footprint , thereby satisfying customers both in product quality and in meeting sustainability goals .” Packaging from Plastics Second Life is able to guarantee to the purchaser , whether business , PA or end consumer , compliance with the Institute for the Promotion of Plastics for Recycling ( IPPR ) regulations and the use of recycled material with associated traceability . All the process is certified by a third-party body , SGS Italy , which provides a continuous surveil-
Sustainable Packaging
Imballaggi Alimentari , an Italian based company specialized in the production of ice cream packaging , has launched the Remaxigel boxes made of Styropor ® Ccycled™ . The boxes made of EPS ( expandable polystyrene ) boast excellent performance and were primarily designed for artisanal ice-cream shops . Basf ’ s contribution to the circular economy is increasingly part of people ’ s daily lives . Due to its production processes , Styropor ®
Ice cream box RE-Maxigel made of Styropor ® Ccycled™
Ccycled™ has an extra edge when it comes to sustainability . The fossil raw materials needed to produce the Styropor ® Ccycled™ are replaced by pyrolysis oil . Where does it come from ? The pyrolysis oil used for the production of the new packaging is supplied to Basf by technology partners who carry out the chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste that would otherwise be used for energy recovery or simply disposed of in the landfill . Since recycled and fossil raw materials are mixed in Basf ’ s interconnected production network and cannot be distinguished from each other , the recycled portion is attributed to Styropor ® Ccycled™ using a mass balance approach . Compared to conventional Styropor ®, the production of Styropor ® Ccycled™ packaging emits 50 % less CO 2 whilst offering the same quality and performance . “ Our commitment is to make the Styropor ® supply chain increasingly circular . Basf has been the inventor of the traditional EPS over 70 years ago . Today , thanks to our constant commitment to R & D , we can offer our customers a more sustainable version of the traditional product as part of our global climate protection efforts ”, said Gregor Haverkemper , Head of Marketing Styrenic Foams Basf . In addition , Remaxigel is among the 7 winners of the Ecodesign Call launched by Conai , the National Packaging Consortium within the Circular Creativity Section . “ We are really proud of this award that recognizes our know-how , continuous focus on technological innovation and customer-driven approach ”, said Michele Dell ’ Avanzato , R & D Manager Imballaggi Alimentari Srl . “ Our secret is always looking ahead . We are already working with Basf to develop a new inner shell for the tray , from recycled materials with the aim of delivering an even more sustainable Remaxigel version that meets the high requirements for food contact ,” he added .
The Low Impact Recharging
Gewiss presents I-Cord , the universal cable for charging electric vehicles designed using special technopolymers obtained from the recovery of nylon . A step forward towards truly green mobility . Joinon , the Gewiss offer for Smart Mobility , expands itself with I-Cord , the cable for electric vehicles designed with a full sustainable approach : socket and plug are partially made of Renycle ®, a range of special technopolymers obtained from the recycling of nylon , a high-value material with excellent characteristics of resistance and versatility , while each single component of the product can be individually disassembled and collected separately , to facilitate recovery and disposal operations along the entire supply chain . The cable allows to recharge different types of electric vehicles and is available in both flat and spiral versions , for every need of use . Plug , socket , fixing cord and junction handle are designed and manufactured
with a perfectly coherent style , giving harmony and functionality to the entire product . Furthermore , to make the charging experience even more unique , customized logos can be applied to the socket and plug upon customer request . I-Cord is part of the Joinon ecosystem , the Gewiss offer for charging electric vehicles , which covers both the technological infrastructure of the product and its entire management ( including technical assistance and maintenance ). From the charging stations to the app for smartphones and tablets and the smart management of the charging units : a complete system that makes environmental sustainability a key competitive advantage . Renycle ® identifies the range of technopolymers for engineering use made with variable percentages of recovered polyamide both of post-industrial and post-consumer origin . Renycle ® products are the result of a careful selection of incoming raw materials .
lance of the correctness of the process . “ It is not enough , however ,” says Zelcher , “ to be technologically capable of using recycled plastic material . To be really effective in reducing CO 2 in the atmosphere , it takes a comprehensive approach like the one we take in the polyethylene and bioplastic packaging sustainability project called Greenside . This is a collaborative Eco design process thanks to which we are able to provide packaging while limiting environmental impact as much as possible , until reaching zero impact from a CO 2 emissions perspective . A project that can be considered a benchmark at least at the national level , just think of the agreement we signed with the Ministry of Ecological Transition for the measurement and study of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle of polyethylene stretch and shrink films .”
Italian technology plast / April 2023
www . plastmagazine . it
047