INEOS Styrolution’s Circular Polystyrene Recycling Reaches Award Finals
INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, is proud to announce that its new polystyrene mechanical recycling solution for food contact quality has been selected as a finalist at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Awards Europe in the category “Product Technology Innovation of the year”.
The finalists were revealed on January 16, with the winners announced during the Plastics Recycling Show Europe 2025 in Amsterdam (1-2 April 2025, RAI, Amsterdam).
The new solution, developed with partners in the food and retail industries, has been registered as a novel technology under EU regulation 2022/1616, ensuring compliance with strict food contact safety standards. This innovation enables the mechanical recycling of polystyrene to achieve food contact quality recyclates, a level of purity previously only seen in PET bottle recyclates. Demonstrated through the launch of the first yoghurt cup made from mechanically recycled polystyrene, this breakthrough showcases polystyrene’s unique recyclability and its potential for fully circular packaging solutions.
Dr. Frank Eisenträger, ECO & Market Development Manager, says: “We are honoured that our innovative work in polystyrene recycling has been recognised by the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe. Being a finalist highlights the significant progress we’ve made in delivering circular solutions for food packaging. We are excited to celebrate this achievement with our partners and the broader industry at the awards ceremony in April.”
Rajoo Engineers Presents Sustainable Plastics & Packaging at IPPF 2025
Rajoo Engineers Limited, a leader in plastic extrusion machinery manufacturing, is excited to engage directly with the Madhya Pradesh market in person by participation in the Indian Plast Pack Forum (IPPF). The event will take place at the Labhganga Exhibition Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from January 9 to 12, 2025.
This year marks a significant milestone as Rajoo celebrates its 38th year of excellence, reinforcing its status as a global industry leader. The company’s commitment to research, innovation, and engineering excellence has driven its continuous growth and success.
At Stand No. H2 I 19, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Rajoo’s latest technological advancements, including Blown Film Lines, Sheet Extrusion Lines for manufacturing rPET sheets and EVA/EVOH sheets for solar cell encapsulants, Multi-station Thermoforming machines, and Extrusion Coating and lamination machines. These innovations set new benchmarks in sustainable packaging, high-speed extrusion systems, automation, and human safety, reflecting the company’s core pillars: Innovation, Reliability, and Sustainability. This event provides a platform for visitors to engage with Rajoo’s team of seasoned professionals, discuss industry challenges, and explore customized solutions tailored to their specific needs.
“We are excited to connect with the expanding Madhya Pradesh market at the Indian Plast Pack Forum (IPPF). Guided by our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence, we aim to deliver solutions that resonate with both global trends and regional requirements.” shared Khushboo Doshi, Managing Director of Rajoo Engineers Limited.
Covestro’s Chemical Supply Chain Gets a Green Boost with DB Cargo BTT
Reduction of CO₂ emissions by at least 70% compared to conventional transportation methods1
Long-term customer Selena benefits from sustainable transport
Covestro aims to become climate neutral by 2050
Covestro, a global leader in polymer production, collaborates with logistics expert DB Cargo BTT for a more efficient and sustainable transport of chemicals to and within Poland. In particular the transport of methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI), a chemical raw material used in a variety of polyurethane materials like the thermal insulation of buildings and refrigerators, shall benefit.
Hanno Bruemmer, Head of Supply Chain and Logistics EMLA at Covestro, stated: “The entire value chain must be involved to achieve our joint goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Reliable, efficient and sustainable logistics for our ever more sustainable products are integral to this effort. We collaborate with our customers and transport companies to optimize the supply chain. This includes improving load capacity, selecting the best transport modes and routes, and introducing using sustainable and future-oriented energy sources like green electricity or HVO to replace fossil fuels.”
As part of the collaboration, DB Cargo BTT provides Covestro with an end-to-end transport solution that combines several sustainable approaches: First, the chemicals are transported in tank containers from the production sites of Covestro in Germany to a nearby railway terminal using bio-fuel (HVO 100)-driven trucks. The tank containers are then transported to a distribution center in Poland via rail, keeping trucks off the road and saving respective emissions. From there, bio-fuel (HVO 100)-driven trucks are again deployed to distribute the chemicals to end customers in Poland to ensure on-time delivery. This particular bio-fuel is one of the most sustainable alternatives to fossil diesel. Altogether, the combination of these modes of transport saves at least 70% of CO2 emissions compared to conventional road transport methods.
Torsten Luders, Managing Director of DB Cargo BTT GmbH, points out: “At DB Cargo BTT, we also rely on working with external partners across all modes of transport in order to arrange traction or first and last mile services as efficiently as possible for our customers. For Covestro, we have recently transported essential chemical products to Poland and we’re now happy to combine our rail expertise with bio-fuel-driven trucks for the first and last mile. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to enabling more sustainable supply chains and supporting the transformation of the chemical industry. Projects like these demonstrate how we, as part of the DB Cargo group, offer our customers a significant degree of added value and are an essential part of European supply chains.”
The collaboration is designed to be flexibly scaled in the future to accommodate growing business needs. It also sends an important signal to customers of Covestro, such as the Polish Selena Group, a global manufacturer of construction chemicals and materials, who benefit from the delivery of MDI with a lower carbon footprint, as it helps to reduce their Scope 3 emissions.
Bernd Hennig, Head of Trading Cluster MDI at Covestro remarked: “Together with Selena Group, we are committed to advancing sustainable solutions across the entire value chain, offering our valued customers not only more sustainable materials but also sustainable transportation solutions.” Michal Specjalski, Member of the Management Board of Product and Innovation at Selena Group added: “Today, sustainable business no longer means having to compromise between efficiency and quality. In Selena Group we are constantly increasing our commitment to the development of sustainable construction. We carefully follow trends and changes in the world around us. We are constantly working on minimizing our environmental impact and rational resource management. That’s why we are delighted to have Covestro and DB Cargo BTT at our side as strong partners who share our commitment to reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality targets in Europe and worldwide.”
Selena Group and Covestro are already collaborating in multiple ways to advance the circular economy. For instance, they are developing polyurethane (PU) foams for improved thermal insulation in buildings which are based on MDI of the Desmodur CQ product range. It is ISCC Plus-certified, using plant-based raw materials through mass balancing. As a result, these products have a lower carbon footprint compared to those derived from fossil raw materials—and now, thanks to the transport solution, they will also be delivered to Selena in a more sustainable way.
Brückner Group Announces New Leadership Following Retirement
The Bruckner Group, a market leader in engineering of machinery and equipment for processing plastics and alternative materials. Its continuous global success is based on a forward-thinking, long-term personnel strategy. This approach enables the company to consistently filling open management positions from its own international organisation.
A Veteran Departs
Helmut Huber, Managing Director of Sales and Project and Product Management at Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH, retired at the end of 2024. Over his 33-year tenure, Huber played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, serving in various positions including technical buyer, Head of Assembly, project manager, Head of Project Management, and since 2016 Managing Director and Chief Sales Officer (CSO). His term included the record-breaking year of 2021, with nearly 80 film stretching lines sold.
An Outstanding Successor: Markus Gschwandtner
Effective January 1, 2025, Markus Gschwandtner (60) will succeed Helmut Huber. Gschwandtner has over 35 years of experience in the film stretching industry, having excelled as the Regional Sales Manager for China and later as Head of Sales for the Eastern region at Bruckner Maschinenbau. Since 2016, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership as Managing Director / CEO of Bruckner Servtec, overseeing sales and technology and driving the company’s growth.
Ideal Replacement at Brückner Servtec: Sebastian Lange
Sebastian Lange (39) will succeed Markus Gschwandtner as of January 1, 2025. Lange started his career at Bruckner Group in 2018 as a Senior Sales Manager at Bruckner Maschinenbau. He later moved to Bruckner Group USA as Vice President of the Film Division, where he significantly expanded the division’s expertise and strengthened Bruckner Servtec’s presence in the US market over the past five years.
Brückner Group’s Commitment to Sustainable Careers
Dr. Axel von Wiedersperg, Managing Director / CEO of Bruckner Group, commented on the successful personnel strategy: “We are delighted to manage the succession of key positions with such foresight. The appointments of Markus Gschwandtner and Sebastian Lange demonstrate that long-term career planning benefits everyone involved. The international experience our leaders have gained ensures Bruckner Group’s commitment to excellence, benefiting our employees, our Group, and our customers worldwide.”
Covestro Expands Advanced Materials Production in Ohio
Investment in the low triple-digit million Euro range
Significant capacity increase with multiple new production lines
Customized polycarbonate material solutions for the American market
Covestro invests a low triple-digit million Euro amount to expand its site in Hebron, Ohio, USA. It will construct multiple new production lines and infrastructure to manufacture customized polycarbonate compounds and blends and significantly expand its capacity in the Solutions & Specialties business for the American market.
“This investment in our U.S. compounding plant is an important component of our ‘Sustainable Growth’ strategy. With this expansion, we can meet our customers’ growing demand for specialized polycarbonate materials, grow together with our customers, and strengthen our position as a leading provider of polycarbonate materials in North America,” says CTO Thorsten Dreier. “The move also aligns with our strategy to produce in the region for the region, to manufacture close to our customers and ensure reliable supply.”
The capacity expansion is an important step to meet the growing demand for high-quality materials for the automotive, electronics, and healthcare industries in North America. “To be successful in these markets, you need the right portfolio, consistent quality, and supply reliability, as well as solution-oriented technical expertise,” says Lily Wang, head of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity. “The expanded production capacity for differentiated polycarbonates enables us to better serve our customers’ complex needs for high-quality, high-tech materials with individualized properties.”
Covestro already has an established R&D center in Pittsburgh and is now doubling down on its U.S.-based compounding capability. In the future, both facilities will work even more closely together to drive the technology transfer from lab to industrial production to support major transformation processes, such as the electrification and automation of mobility, sustainable developments and digitalization.
“This investment, which follows our recent announcement of an almost 40 million Euro investment in our R&D capabilities in Pittsburgh, underscores how critical our U.S. sites and the U.S. market are to Covestro’s global strategy,” says Samir Hifri, chairman and president of Covestro LLC. “The expanded capacity of our polycarbonate compounding capabilities in Ohio will both help us better supply our customers as well as represent a commitment to our employees at the site, the Hebron, Ohio community, and the U.S. market as a whole.”
Construction of the new production lines is scheduled to begin in 2025, with operations starting by the end of 2026.
JEC 2025: The Role of Composites in Sustainable Water Management
First-time inclusion of Schmidt & Heinzmann portfolio in DIEFFENBACHER’s trade fair presence at JEC World 2025
In November 2024, DIEFFENBACHER took over the composites business of Schmidt & Heinzmann. From left: Georg Obermaier, Head of the Forming Business Unit at DIEFFENBACHER, and DIEFFENBACHER
When the international composites industry comes together for JEC World 2025, March 4 to 6, fairgoers will have plenty of reasons to visit the DIEFFENBACHER booth L115 in Hall 5. For starters, DIEFFENBACHER will highlight its expertise as a solutions provider for the infrastructure and construction industry. The most noticeable innovation, however, will be products and solutions from Schmidt & Heinzmann, which DIEFFENBACHER acquired in November 2024.
“We’ll showcase applications for the construction and infrastructure sector from DIEFFENBACHER customer projects, including components for railroad and telecommunications infrastructure, switch cabinets, industrial lamp housings, drainage channels and underground stormwater tanks used as intermediate buffers during heavy rainfall,” explains Marco Hahn,
DIEFFENBACHER Fiberpress
Director Sales of the Forming Business Unit at DIEFFENBACHER. The latter application will be the focus of thepresentation “Innovative Solutions in Stormwater Management: A sustainable transition to long-fiber thermoplastic for critical stormwater infrastructure,” which Hahn will give with Zacharie Marchildon and Mike Mueller from DIEFFENBACHER’s US customer and partner Xerxes. That will be on Wednesday, March 5, at 4 p.m. on the Agora stage in Hall 5.
DIEFFENBACHER Fiberpress
With the acquisition of the composites business of Schmidt & Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG, DIEFFENBACHER received the business’s intangible assets, including design and project documents, intellectual property and business unit know-how. DIEFFENBACHER also took on the business’s 30-plus employees, entire product portfolio and after-sales service responsibilities.
chmidt & Heinzmann Cube SMC production line
“Visitors to our booth will find advanced Schmidt & Heinzmann SMC solutions in the form of production lines for semi-finished materials, cutting systems, cutting and stacking units and wide roving cutters,” says Michael Ochs, who came to DIEFFENBACHER as part of the acquisition and is now Director Sales Schmidt & Heinzmann at DIEFFENBACHER. “The familiar Schmidt & Heinzmann contacts will also be there to provide expert advice on our products and solutions,” he continues.
Schmidt & Heinzmann Cube SMC production line
Another highlight of DIEFFENBACHER’s trade fair presence is a new augmented reality (AR) application that allows the company to project its composites press systems, including the CompressEco and Fiberpress, into the real environment as a full-size 3D model using a smartphone or tablet. “The app provides an initial realistic impression of how a new press system could be integrated into a greenfield project or an existing plant structure,” explains Hahn.
Schmidt & Heinzmann HighLine SMC production lin
DIEFFENBACHER will also present its entire range of hydraulic presses. These include the TailoredPress, the economical all-rounder for press forces of up to 10,000 kN; the flexible CompressEco for press forces of 6,300 to 30,000 kN; and the energy-efficient Fiberpress, which can be designed for press forces of 50,000 kN and more. Visitors will also learn about DIEFFENBACHER service capabilities and modernization and automation expertise, and experience a demonstration of the EVORIS digitalization solution.
Schmidt & Heinzmann Wide Roving Cutter (WRC)
“Thanks to the integration of Schmidt & Heinzmann, our team has grown in size and quality in recent months,” says Hahn. “That will be evident in our JEC World 2025 presence. We can now respond even better and faster to customer challenges,” he adds. “I’m especially excited to welcome Schmidt & Heinzmann customers to the DIEFFENBACHER booth,” Michael Ochs concludes.
ALTANA’s Climate Roadmap: Cutting Carbon Footprint to Net Zero
Goal: virtually greenhouse gas-free worldwide in all three scopes by 2050
Already by 2040, a reduction of emissions within ALTANA’s direct influence (Scope 1 and 2) by 90 percent
Science-based approach: ALTANA’s climate targets have been confirmed by the renowned Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Progress so far: Between 2014 and 2023, ALTANA already reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 70 percent
The globally active specialty chemicals group ALTANA has pledged to operate virtually greenhouse gas-free worldwide by 2050 and to achieve “net zero emissions.” Specifically, emissions across the entire value chain (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) will be reduced by 90 percent by then. The company will permanently remove any remaining unavoidable emissions from the atmosphere using recognized processes. Already by 2040, ALTANA aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within its direct sphere of influence (Scopes 1 and 2) by 90 percent.
These targets are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as recently confirmed by the renowned Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). ALTANA is building on its substantial progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over recent years. Between 2014 and 2023, the company successfully cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 70 percent. Starting in 2025, ALTANA will mitigate any remaining greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by funding climate protection projects beyond its own value chain.
“Footprint in innovations, not in emissions”
“We have always said that we want to leave our footprint in innovations, not in emissions. And we are consistently pursuing this path,” says Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG. “Whether it’s solutions for improving the recyclability of packaging or for the reliable operation of the world’s largest wind turbines, we have been making our customers’ products more sustainable through innovation for many years. Now we are extending this commitment across our entire value chain. This is our responsibility and our contribution to the urgent need to limit global warming.”
To operate virtually greenhouse gas-free worldwide in all three scopes by 2050, ALTANA is prioritizing the electrification of processes and vehicles, the purchase of sustainable raw materials – increasingly from suppliers who have committed themselves to SBTi-approved climate targets – and the further reduction of transport routes through increased use of the company’s decentralized purchasing and production network.
In 2020, ALTANA transitioned its global electricity procurement to renewable energy sources. Currently, over half of this renewable energy is generated regionally, with an increasing share produced directly at ALTANA’s production sites, primarily through solar systems.
In its commitment to sustainable raw materials, ALTANA’s ECKART division sources nearly all its aluminum from production processes powered by renewable energy. Moreover, ECKART already incorporates recycled aluminum, positioning it as an industry pioneer. The effect pigments made from this material are used in applications like metallic vehicle paints, which help reduce the CO₂ footprint of both ECKART’s products and those of its customers.
ALTANA CEO Martin Babilas: “Industry plays a key role in achieving climate protection targets by driving innovation. The European Green Deal makes high demands but also offers great opportunities. Politicians must create the framework for this, for example by providing access to sufficient energy from renewable sources at competitive prices.”
Perstorp’s Amsterdam Facility to Drive Next-Gen Synthetic Ester Solutions
Global specialty chemicals innovator Perstorp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), will serve growing specialty fluids markets from new site in Amsterdam.
In December 2024 Perstorp announced the acquisition of an ester plant, located outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where Perstorp plans to begin manufacturing a new range of synthetic esters early 2025. This marks Perstorp’s first step toward the growth of the synthetic ester business, targeting the specialty fluids markets and becoming a recognized leader and supplier of synthetic fluids that enable sustainability benefits such as enhanced operational safety, cooling efficiency, and reduced fluid maintenance. Furthermore, Perstorp intends to achieve ISCC PLUS certification for the site, to produce Pro Environment products with reduced carbon footprint, independently verified by third party.
“The acquisition will improve Perstorp’s position of becoming both a producer of building blocks and a supplier of synthetic esters. We can thereby advance our position in the value chain and serve new markets with innovative and more sustainable products”, says Dr. Valentina Serra-Holm, Vice President Engineered Fluids.
Perstorp plans to focus on application areas that have been underexplored and underserved, where significant opportunities or unmet needs have been identified. As such, Perstorp will focus its efforts on serving the specialty fluids markets, specifically dielectric fluids for data center cooling, where double digit growth is expected over the coming years.
“We strive for both a continued collaboration with our current customers and active relationship-building with end users and other partners in the value chain to drive adoption of synthetic ester in the emerging applications. Backward integration of our production process will secure reliable supply to our customers”, Dr. Valentina Serra-Holm continues.
Perstorp already has a progressive portfolio of products designed to improve sustainability performance, such as reduced carbon footprint, in a variety of applications. Most recently, Perstorp launched Synmerse DC, a biodegradable and high-performing synthetic cooling fluid, at Data Center World Asia in Singapore last October.
Aduro Clean Technologies Recognized at Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony
Aduro Clean Technologies, a clean technology company leveraging the power of chemistry to transform lower-value feedstocks—such as waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils—into resources for the 21st century, today announced that the Company will ring the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York, on Friday, January 17, 2025.
This event marks a significant milestone for Aduro following its recent uplisting to the Nasdaq Capital Market. The ceremony will be led by Ofer Vicus, CEO of Aduro, accompanied by members of the Company’s leadership team, Board of Directors, employees, and key stakeholders who have played a pivotal role in supporting Aduro’s journey.
The live broadcast of the Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony will begin at 3:45 PM Eastern Time on Friday, January 17, 2025. To watch the ceremony live, visit: https://shorturl.at/qIRwO. Exclusive photos and videos of the event will also be available on the Company’s Media page shortly after the ceremony.
“Ringing the Nasdaq Closing Bell is a proud moment for Aduro as we celebrate this milestone alongside our team, partners, and stakeholders,” said Ofer Vicus, CEO of Aduro Clean Technologies. “Uplisting to Nasdaq marks an important step forward in our growth journey, enabling us to engage with a broader investor audience as we continue advancing our innovative Hydrochemolytic technology. This moment is a testament to the dedication and support of our Board members, employees, investors, and industry partners, whose contributions have been instrumental in helping us achieve this milestone. We look forward to the opportunities ahead as we deliver on our vision of transforming waste into valuable resources.”
As Aduro embarks on this exciting new chapter, the Company remains focused on key initiatives, including the fabrication and commissioning of its pilot plant, which represents a critical step in the commercialization of its Hydrochemolytic technology.
ALPLA Closes 2024 with Strong Business Growth and Investments
ALPLA continued its growth trajectory in 2024 with new products, plants, business areas, acquisitions and a focus on training skilled workers. The international packaging and recycling specialist increased its turnover from 4.7 to 4.9 billion euros and grew its workforce to 24,350 employees. ALPLA is broadening its targets for the recycling sector. The company plans to double its output recycling capacity to 700,000 tonnes of recycled material by 2030.
Founded in 1955, the ALPLA Group produces safe, affordable and sustainable plastic packaging solutions worldwide. The family-owned company, headquartered in Hard, Austria, can look back on a successful financial year in 2024 and continues to grow after a moderate decline in sales in the previous year. The annual turnover of 4.9 billion euros represents an increase of 4 per cent compared to 2023.
ALPLA is accelerating the global expansion of its recycling activities and aims to double its capacity to 700,000 tonnes of material by 2030.
There has been significant growth in the number of sites and employees. ALPLA has reached the 200-plant mark and created more than a thousand new jobs through new business areas, acquisitions and training programmes. A total of 24,350 employees work at 200 locations in 46 countries – 365 of them are apprentices. This record figure underlines the importance of professional training for the company’s future.
Growth markets and innovation
‘Plastic packaging shapes the lives of billions of people. As a technological market leader, we are making it increasingly lighter and more sustainable. We will continue to invest in this worldwide,’ says CEO Philipp Lehner. In addition to the strong growth markets in South America, Africa and the Middle East, demand in North and Central America also recovered in 2024.
ALPLA is also experiencing an upward trend in Europe. However, the market environment remains challenging. ‘Increasing EU regulation is creating a lot of work and weakening our international competitiveness. This is compounded by high labour costs in some countries. We are countering this with increased efficiency, new products and our leading role in recycling,’ says Lehner. The markets in the Asia-Pacific region offer huge potential. With the upcoming opening of a new plant in Thailand in 2025, ALPLA is setting the course for the future here.
Recycling: doubling capacity by 2030
ALPLA invests at least 50 million euros a year in recycling. The company’s commitment to a circular economy is paying off, it is on track to achieve its goal of using at least 25 per cent recycled material in its packaging by 2025 and will significantly increase its capacity. The ALPLArecycling division produces PET and HDPE recycled materials at 13 plants in nine countries. The aim is to double the current installed and planned output capacity of 350,000 tonnes by 2030. The use of high-quality recycled material from own production is complemented by lightweighting and design for recycling. This saves materials, reduces the carbon footprint and ensures recyclability.
With the upcoming opening of a new plant in Thailand in 2025, ALPLA is setting the course for the future in the Asia-Pacific region.
Positioning is the key
ALPLA combines regional production with global standards and long-term partnerships. As a system provider for bottles and closures, combined with the ALPLArecycling division, which has existed since 2023, the company covers numerous industries and markets. In 2024, the new ALPLAinject division strengthened the injection moulding line. ALPLApharma was expanded in 2024 with the integration of Heinlein Plastik-Technik into the group. ALPLAindustrial is another division for large-volume packaging. The portfolio was enriched with innovative new products such as the PET wine bottle, the monomaterial dispenser pump and reusable solutions for beverages and cosmetics. In addition, the fibre-based bottle from subsidiary Paboco is ready for series production and will be available from 2025.
