ECONOMY AND MARKET
Italian technology plast / October 2024
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Nextchem ( Maire ) Signs Agreement with the EU Commission for Chemical Recycling
Following the pre-selection announced in January , Maire informs that Nextchem ( Sustainable Technology Solutions ), through its subsidiaries NextChem Tech and MyRemono , signed the grant agreement under the framework of the EU “ Innovation Fund 3rd call for Small Scale projects ”, which will contribute to the implementation of the Boost project . Boost is aimed at implementing the first-of-its-kind industrial-scale plant based on NXRe PMMA continuous modular technology developed by MyRemono , Nextchem ’ s subsidiary dedicated to plastic depolymerization . NXRe PMMA enables the recovery of monomers ( building blocks for the plastic value chain ) with ultra-high levels of purity from sorted plastic waste , particularly polymethylmethacrylate ( PMMA ), through a continuous chemical recycling process . The plant will have an initial processing capacity of approximately 5,000 tons per year and will produce approximately 4,345 tons per year of r-MMA , avoiding the consumption of more than 13,000 tons per year of fossil based raw materials . Over the first ten years of operation , the plant is expected to achieve a 96 % relative Greenhouse Gas ( GHG ) emissions avoidance compared to the reference scenario . Engineering of the first-ofa-kind industrial unit is in the final steps and construction is expected to be completed in 2026 . The project amounts to EUR 6.6 million , of which approximately EUR 4 million to be covered by the EU funding . Among 72 applications to EU “ Innovation Fund 3rd call for Small Scale projects ”, Boost is one of the 18 small-scale projects that have signed the grant agreement as well as the only Italian selected related to the chemical sector . Mohammed Nafid , NextChem Tech Managing Director , commented : “ This achievement confirms the reliability of Nextchem ’ s technological value proposition . NXRe PMMA ’ s scalability in different sectors will help improve the production of sustainable plastic products , gradually reducing dependence on fossil raw materials for intermediates and embracing a fully circular model .”
European Biobased Solutions Project Launched In Novara
Novara has hosted the first meeting of the European project coordinated by Novamont ( HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023 ), which aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of biobased solutions in the packaging sector , improving performance , circularity and the efficient use of resources all along the value chain . Known as “ Terrific ”, the project is one of the four flagship projects financed in 2024 by Circular Bio-based Europe ( CBE ) Joint Undertaking , the public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium ( BIC ), which supports the development of Europe ’ s bio-based industry . This initiative has secured over € 16 million in financing and aims to develop and demonstrate eight innovative solutions for the packaging sector based on renewable raw materials . The Novamont-led project involves 19 partners , including four SMEs , from 9 European countries . One of the objectives is to use sub-products from agro-industrial value chains to produce compostable and recyclable biopolyesters and biomaterials with over 95 % renewable content . “ Bio-based biodegradable materials are an important tool for developing smart solutions within the circular bioeconomy approach . This project will provide a practical demonstration of the full innovative potential of these versatile materials in the packaging sector , combining a range of technologies , connecting various sectors and promoting diversified solutions in different areas ,” said Catia Bastioli , Managing Director of Novamont ( Versalis , Eni ).
Sacmi Group , 2023 Sales Surpass € 2 Billion
Sacmi closes 2023 with revenues in excess of € 2 billion ( 2.036 , + 12 %), the best result in the Group ’ s history , with net assets at € 883 million . Employment also grew and now stands at 5,200 people worldwide , + 8 % on 2022 . These are the highlights from the Consolidated Financial Statements , presented yesterday , 17th May , at the Parent Company ( Sacmi Imola ) Shareholders ’ Meeting . “ In 2023 , Sacmi further strengthened its reputation and leadership ”, pointed out president Paolo Mongardi , “ by investing in new products , skills and by taking customer support facilities and services to the next level ”. An impressive result , then , especially in light of a macroeconomic outlook characterized by ongoing uncertainty : “ Sacmi has skillfully adapted its strategy to circumstance , identifying new growth opportunities together with its customers ,” explained Paolo Mongardi . At sector level , all Sacmi Businesses closed with positive performance indicators and , in most cases , with their best result ever . One key factor in the result was the persistence of the exceptional economic recovery of 2022 , which generated a large order backlog . Moreover , customers immediately rewarded the company ’ s ability to deliver further innovation at product , production process and service level . System digitalization continued to be a cross-business growth driver , as did investment in sustainability . The year 2023 also saw the finalization of two major operations : acquisition of 100 % ownership of BMR ( ceramic slab / tile squaring , cutting , lapping and surface finishing ) and the establishment of SacmiCassioli Intralogistics ( automation of plant logistics ). From an ESG ( Environmental , Social , Governance ) sustainability perspective , the Sacmi Group had a highly satisfying 2023 , again characterized by intense research and development , high levels of investment and the addition of new strategic skills . Some examples , described in the Group ’ s 2023 Integrated Annual Report presented yesterday at the Assembly , include : the first prototype of a 100 % -hydrogen tile kiln , sanitaryware plants that reduce water usage by up to 90 %, the accelerated implementation of new standards for lighter , higher-performing caps ( with ready-to-use solutions to streamline the customers ’ transition ) and new eco-sustainable wrapping materials for the packaging sector , plus , last but not least , further expansion of the Advanced Materials business and the new Energy Division ( photovoltaic systems ). Alongside the technology , Sacmi has also improved the environmental performance of its manufacturing facilities : it has reduced gas consumption by 9 %, self-produced 10 % more electricity , reduced direct emissions by 9 %, cut water and waste production ( -13 %), all against an increase in sales and hours worked . Commitment to R & D remains strong - nearly 6,000 patents have now been filed - as does the acquisition of new skills , with more than 50 % of new hires aged under 30 . The company remains committed to local communities . No less than 89 % of purchases are from local suppliers and , over the last 3 years , € 1.9 million has been donated to charity projects in communities where the Group ’ s production facilities are located . In short : investment in human capital , financial and economic solidity and a clear innovation-focused strategy that , according to Paolo Mongardi , “ allow us to look to 2024 with confidence as our 105th anniversary approaches ”.
Paolo Mongardi , president of Sacmi
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