Indorama Ventures Wins Gold Medal By EcoVadis For Sustainability In Supply Chain Management

BANGKOK, Thailand — February 20, 2023 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, has been awarded the ‘Gold Medal’ by EcoVadis, recognizing IVL’s commitment to sustainability in supply chain management.

IVL participates in the annual EcoVadis assessment to evaluate the company’s sustainable practices and ensure it can meet key customers’ requirements across the different business segments and operations. In 2023, the company achieved the Gold Medal with a score of 77; higher than 2022’s score of 75. IVL ranked in the 99th percentile in basic chemical, fertilizers, and nitrogen compound plastics and synthetic rubbers in primary industries of all assessed companies worldwide, with above industry-average performances in all four assessment areas, including environment, labor & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Yash Lohia, chairman of the ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, said: “Sustainability has been embedded in every aspect of Indorama Ventures for over a decade to align with our vision of being a world-class sustainable chemical company making great products for society. We are delighted to receive some of the highest levels of recognition from EcoVadis over the past six years. This achievement demonstrates our operational efficiency and value chain management through continuous improvement to meet customer needs and global challenges.”

EcoVadis is a provider of business sustainability ratings. The assessment indices include more than 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries around the world.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL),

Lenzing And NFW Partner To Provide Sustainable Leather Alternatives For Fashion

LENZING, Austria — February 20, 2023 — Lenzing has teamed up with Natural Fiber Welding Inc. (NFW) to offer TENCEL™ branded fibers as another backer option for NFW’s patented plant-based technology, MIRUM®. The MIRUM® x TENCEL™ collaboration will be showcased for the first time in Milan, Italy during the international leather fair, LINEAPELLE, which will take place February 21-23, 2023, in Milan, Italy.

MIRUM is a categorically unique material class, perfect for luxury accessories, fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods. TENCEL Lyocell and Modal fibers are derived from sustainable wood sources and produced using environmentally responsible processes. The fibers are identifiable, verifiable and traceable through Lenzing’s Fiber Identification technology which enables a physical identification of fiber origin at different stages of production. This enables full traceability of the fiber materials used during the production process, be it on a piece of fabric or finished product, like garments or footwear. Completely free from plastic, MIRUM is made from natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, plant-based oils and waxes, and an all-natural fabric backing. Each MIRUM recipe is unique, but the commitment to using only natural ingredients is unchanging. Instead of relying on PU binders, a characteristic of most leather alternatives, MIRUM uses natural rubber and plant oils for binding.

NFW’s unique approach incorporates a diversity of natural ingredients like biobased charcoal, clay, cork powder, rice hulls, coconut fibers, recycled denim or seaweed to develop color or add visual interest. At the end of its life cycle, products made with MIRUM can be recycled into new MIRUM or ground up and returned to the earth, while TENCEL fibers are compostable and biodegradable, enabling complete circularity of finished products. The collaboration creates a uniquely sustainable alternative for leather applications as both TENCEL fibers and MIRUM are versatile enough to be used in multiple applications.

“At NFW, we believe that plant matter is the only material that can scale to replace plastic. Since its inception, MIRUM has been engineered to benefit our planet. By adding fabrics made of TENCEL to MIRUM, we can enhance material transparency and traceability, while guaranteeing comfort and great hand feel on the skin. We are thrilled to join hands with the TENCEL brand and we will continue creating greener alternatives for the fashion industry,” said Oihana Elizalde, vice president and general manager of MIRUM at NFW. One of the best examples of the collaboration is the Allbirds Plant Pacer, which released last fall. The shoe’s upper is made with MIRUM lined with TENCEL.

MIRUM is an ideal option for designers and brands looking to reduce their environmental footprint and expand their creative palettes. TENCEL fibers are soft and pleasant on the skin, with outstanding moisture management. Adding backer material made of TENCEL fibers to MIRUM not only creates a truly sustainable option but also one that enhances the comfort level of products made from leather alternatives.

“This partnership is a perfect example of how the combination of our sustainable TENCEL fibers and innovative materials like MIRUM can go beyond traditional textiles. With innovation at heart, there are infinite possibilities for application of the new material. TENCEL fibers used as backer not only increase the level of transparency and traceability of MIRUM, but also enhance comfort — and with a very low carbon footprint. We are confident that the versatile material will be loved by supply chain partners and brands across footwear, fashion apparel, accessories, furniture, and even automotive industries,” said Birgit Schnetzlinger, head of Business Development Functional Wear and Footwear, Global Textiles Business at Lenzing AG.

Both Lenzing and NFW will be showcasing their products at LINEAPELLE 2023.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: The Lenzing Group

Alberta Announces $58 Million For Circular Economy — INCA Renewtech Is Awarded $10 Million For Hemp Based Composite

EDMONTON, Alberta — February 16, 2023 — The Government of Alberta is advancing the province’s global leadership in the circular economy by committing $58 million through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to projects across the province worth $528 million. All funding is sourced from the province’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund.

Producing high-quality fertilizer for farmers, recycling asphalt from roof shingles, sequestering carbon in concrete, and novel plastics recycling are some examples of the technology solutions receiving funding through ERA’s Circular Economy Challenge.

If successful, these projects will result in cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of up to 4 million tonnes by 2050 — equal to offsetting the GHG footprint of 1 million homes. Circular Economy Challenge Funding is expected to create 1835 person-year jobs* in Alberta and have a $350 million GDP impact in the province by 2025.

The investment aligns with provincial initiatives including the proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach, the agricultural plastics recycling initiative, and the Natural Gas Vision and Strategy’s goal to establish Alberta as a centre of excellence for plastics diversion and recycling.

“Advancing technology solutions that support a circular economy makes good environmental and economic sense,” said Sonya Savage, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “Circular Economy Challenge projects supported by the TIER fund will help keep valuable materials in the economy and out of landfills, which drives investment, bolsters economic activity, cuts emissions, and creates jobs. It’s a win across the board.”

“A more sustainable, diversified provincial economy requires using our resources more wisely, we need to think about waste as a resource rather than a cost. This investment in converting waste into other uses is going to make a real difference,” added 
Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta.

Circular Economy Challenge projects support waste reduction, material and feedstock substitution, value recovery, and reduction of the lifecycle environmental footprint of materials and products. These technology solutions can reduce the impacts of material production, processing, and disposal.

The innovations invested in here will support industry competitiveness, new venture creation, and economic diversification.

Projects include:

Northstar Clean Technologies Inc.

Design, build, and commence operations of a new asphalt roof shingles recycling facility ERA funding: $7.1 million | Project cost: $20.6 million

INCA Renewtech

Construct and operate a first-of-kind commercial facility to create a sustainable, advanced bio- composite material made from hemp stalk
ERA funding: $10 million | Project cost: $174.5 million

Sparks Eggs

Dehydrate inedible eggs from an existing grading and packing facility into a powder to be used for pet food and animal feed
ERA funding: $500,000 | Project cost: $1 million

Rimrock Renewables LP.

Treat the biproduct of the anaerobic digestion process to produce fertilizer, peat, cattle bedding, and clean water on-site
ERA funding: $8.4 million | Project cost: $19 million

Hydrovac Waste Solutions Ltd.

Divert slurry from the landfill and recover valuable products from the hydro-vacuum process ERA funding: $1.7 million | Project cost: $8 million

Carbon Upcycling Technologies

Demonstrate a commercial-scale carbon sequestration and utilization technology for the cement and concrete sector
ERA funding: $4.4 million |Project cost: $11 million

Phyto Organix Foods Inc.

Construction of a large-scale, commercial, net zero yellow pea fractionation facility ERA funding: $10 million | Project cost: $231 million

Suncor Energy Inc.

Recover Vanadium, a valuable critical metal/element, from the fly ash by-product from coke- fired boilers and use it in the growing energy storage market
ERA funding: $7 million | Project cost: $36 million

Circular Rubber Technologies Inc.

Reclaim rubber from end-of-life, high-grade tires from industrial activities and sell the end product back to manufacturers for use in new tires
ERA funding: $3.2 million | Project cost: $16 million

RBW Waste Management Ltd.

Install and commission a recycling system for high-density polyethylene containers used to transport liquid and solid wastes and process them into new products
ERA funding: $700,000 | Project cost: $1.4 million

“This funding will enable INCA Renewtech to significantly accelerate construction of our state- of-the-art hemp processing and composites manufacturing factory,” said David Saltman, chairman & CEO, INCA Renewtech. “We will purchase waste straw from farmers currently growing hemp for plant-based protein and transform this renewable resource into advanced bio-composites for the automotive, marine, wind energy, and consumer plastics industries.”

“Government of Alberta funding through Emissions Reduction Alberta is critical to fulfilling our objective of meeting consumer demand for healthy, functional proteins and food co-products that are produced in a sustainable way,” said Chris Theal, president & CEO, Phyto Organix Foods Inc. “This project creates the opportunity to add value to Alberta’s pulse resources, diversify our economy, and directly help mitigate global food security risks, while doing so with a differentiated carbon and water sustainability footprint.”

“The Suncor team and our partners are excited to advance this project which has the potential to produce commercial quantities of a critical metal used in the production of grid level energy storage solutions,” noted Todd Pugsley, director, Technology Development – Bitumen Value Chain, Suncor. “The Alberta Vanadium Project is consistent with Suncor’s leading position in developing new lines of revenue that also support greater adoption of low carbon sources of energy.”

“This support of Circular Rubber Technologies’ project is pivotal in advancing Canada’s circular economy,” said Maartje Van Der Sande, CEO of Circular Rubber Technologies (CRT). “CRT is constructing the world’s first commercial scale rubber devulcanization facility for industrial tires, its first state of the art facility in Alberta, set to begin production in Fall 2023. ERA accelerates bringing CRT’s product — the world’s cleanest, highest quality rubber reclaim – to a $45 billion global market.”

“Circularity in our economy will be integral to Alberta’s decarbonization efforts,” said 
Ryan Bourns, Business Development Partnerships Manager, Carbon Upcycling. “Circular Economy Challenge funding signals the government’s commitment to supporting innovative companies like Carbon Upcycling, as we collaborate with industry partners and look to achieve commercial-scale impact in the cement industry.”

“Circular Economy Challenge funding will facilitate our company to meet zero-waste and sustainability goals for our food processing facility in Calgary,” said Scott Brookshaw, Executive Vice President, Sparks Eggs, Division of Golden Valley Foods Ltd. “We will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and transform our current waste product into a new ingredient for the pet food industry, creating a circular economy and permanent sustainable waste management solution.”

“Rimrock Renewables is honored to be recognized by the Government of Alberta through ERA as an innovator in the development of alternative energy solutions to support the Canadian energy transformation,” said 
Scott McLean, Director, Rimrock Renewables; Executive Vice President Operations Tidewater Renewables Ltd. “Funding from partners like the ERA is key to accelerating our shovel-ready project and making an immediate impact to Canada’s emission reduction goals.”

“With funding from the Government of Alberta through ERA, we can reliably scale up a cleantech process that recycles hydrovac waste into valuable products for cement production,” added Ash Thibault, vice president, Hydrovac Waste Solutions. “This will keep materials out of landfills, while helping Alberta’s cement and hydrovac industries get closer to meeting their sustainability and net-zero emission goals.”

“The Government of Alberta and ERA’s contribution to our innovative and proprietary clean technology process is hugely supportive in the commercialization of our first scale up asphalt shingle reprocessing facility in Alberta,” noted said Aidan Mills, president and CEO, Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. “This landmark facility will be the first in North America and launches our scalable business model to deploy our circular economy, clean technology solution across Canada and the US.”

“Plastic recycling has been a longstanding aspiration of RBW Waste Management Ltd.,” said Rick Williams, president, RBW Waste Management Ltd. “Circular Economy Challenge funding allows this to become a reality. Plastic waste received at our facility will be converted to new recycled plastic products, reducing waste and reliance on virgin materials to make industrial products, while promoting a circular economy model for high- density polyethylene plastics.”

All ERA funding recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report that is shared publicly for the broader benefit of Alberta. Funding recipients will be required to report on project outcomes, achievements, and lessons learned including GHG reductions, job creation, and other environmental, economic, and social benefits.

*A person-year is equal to one-year of employment for one individual.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

Teijin Named “Excellent Company For Sustainability” By S&P Global

TOKYO — February 16, 2023 — Teijin Ltd. announced today that it has been listed in the Global Sustainability Yearbook 2023 published by S&P Global, a world leading provider of financial information and analysis in support of responsible investment based on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors.

The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) is an annual evaluation of corporate sustainability practices, focusing on criteria that are both industry-specific and financially material. The Sustainability Yearbook 2023 assessed more than 7,800 major companies representing 61 industries in terms of economic, environmental and social issues, and those companies that acquired the top 15 percent score within each industry and met S&P’s standards were selected as companies achieving sustainability excellence.

S&P highly evaluated Teijin’s life cycle assessment (LCA) initiatives and strategies for reducing and eliminating hazardous substances, as well as its initiatives to address climate change and human rights.

Teijin is also included in other international-sustainability indexes, such as the MSCI ESG Ratings (AAA rating), a global benchmark for environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes issued by MSCI, and both the FTSE Blossom Japan Index and the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, which cover ESG investment indicators adopted by Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

The Teijin Group will continue to provide innovative solutions that contribute to improvement of quality of life and the sustainable development of business and society.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: Teijin Group

Two New ASTM International Standards Guide Cannabis Control And Manufacture

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — February 16, 2023 — ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) is developing two new standards on quality and materials control for the cannabis industry.

The first proposed standard, WK83754, addresses change control as a system of monitoring cannabis quality. The second, WK83755, provides a guide to the segregation of cannabinoid materials, a new industry concept, which would help prevent errors confusing hemp and cannabis in manufacturing.

ASTM International member Darcie Moran notes that guides like these will be useful protection against future global supply chain disruptions and inconsistencies of hemp batches.

“The regulatory climate for both cannabis and hemp has many unknowns,” says Moran, quality assurance manager of Vantage Hemp Co. “Therefore, as the regulating bodies continue to adopt policies around hemp, it is critical for manufacturers, growers, and testing labs to effectively implement changes within their organization.”

Moran notes that this sort of work can not only help prevent potential recalls of cannabis products, but also protect public health.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.

To learn more about cannabis committee participation and membership, visit www.astmcannabis.org.

ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: ASTM International

Haelixa With The Woolmark Company And Vitale Barberis Canonico Trace Origin Of Wool

ZURICH — February 16, 2023 — The Woolmark Co. (TWC), Italy-based wool fabric mill Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC), and Haelixa, the Switzerland-based traceability company, took part in a trial to trace Australian wool fibers up to the final fabric.

Funded by Australian wool growers, TWC is an enterprise that focuses on investments that enhance the profitability, international competitiveness, and sustainability of Australian wool. In their operations, TWC seeks to be transparent and accountable. In line with this strategy, traceability is necessary to ensure transparency and maintain the credibility of TWC.

In December 2021, Haelixa marked wool fibers with its DNA tracing solution. There are infinite DNA markers that could be produced and used to indicate a specific origin, supply chain, material, or particular collection. In this case, a single DNA has been applied to greasy wool and a second DNA marker to scoured wool. The first DNA identifies the origin of the Australian wool, while the second determines the manufacturer where the wool has been further processed; at Vitale Barberis Canonico mill. The woollen mill is the symbol of “Made in Italy” excellence, producing quality fabrics with fine wools since 1663.

Samples were collected from various production stages, where a qPCR test was used to detect each specific DNA marker. Haelixa uses a “Key-Lock” system to detect a marker; one needs to know the particular DNA to screen for, ensuring that the system is tamper-proof. The DNA markers stay safely embedded in the product, enabling traceability of greasy and scoured wool up to greige fabric and finished fabric, respectively.

With increasing cost pressure and competition in the wool fabric market, traceability is becoming a prerequisite to proving authenticity and origin. TWC and Vitale Barberis Canonico support the culture of sustainability and collaboration.

“TWC and Vitale Barberis Canonico share with Haelixa the value of innovative change and quality. This collaboration is an example of their efforts to bring sustainablesolutions toglobal supply chains,” says Gediminas Mikutis, CTO and co-founder at Haelixa.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Source: Haelixa

Registration Is Open For World Of Wipes® International Conference 2023

CARY, N.C. — February 15, 2023 — INDA announced that registration and tabletop exhibit reservations are open for the 17th edition of the World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference. WOW 2023 will take place July 17-20 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta.

WOW 2023 will feature the latest wipes intelligence on the Energy Crisis, Coping with Inflation, Supply Chain Challenges from material availability to import pressures, Market Trends, Plastics Issues such as single use plastics, renegade plastics and microplastics, Sustainability and Traceability from sourcing to end-of-life, Private Label vs. Brand, and Flushability Developments including legislative and labeling efforts, collection studies, and regulatory topics.

The event includes 11+ hours of networking with industry influencers, thought leaders, and C-suite executives. In addition to two nights of tabletop displays and receptions on July 18 and 19, a highlight of WOW 2023 will be Lightning Talks. Tabletop exhibitors will give “supersized elevator speeches” for five minutes. Participants will have the opportunity to follow up with tabletop exhibitors during the reception.

WOW 2023 begins with the WIPES Academy, July 17-18, led by Heidi Beatty, CEO, and her team of wipes professionals from Crown Abbey LLC. Participants will gain insights from product concept to commercialization. Participants will also develop insights about materials, design, manufacturing, packaging, and cost implications for industrial, institutional and consumer wipes applications.

Nominations are being accepted for the World of Wipes Innovation Award®. Eligible product categories include raw materials, roll goods, converting, packaging, active ingredients, binders, additives, and end-use wipes. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 5. Finalists will make their presentations to hundreds of decision-makers Tuesday, July 18, with the Award being presented Thursday morning, July 20.

INDA is pleased to thank Cotton Incorporated and Rockline Industries for being WOW 2023 sponsors.

To register, reserve a tabletop display or sponsorships, visit WOW 2023 –  https://www.worldofwipes.org/index.html.

Posted: February 15, 2023

Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

 

37.5® Technology To Partner With Blue Ridge Home Fashions For Sleep Climate Line

BOULDER, Colo. — February 15, 2023 — 37.5Ⓡ Technology is thrilled to announce its partnership with Blue Ridge Home Fashions, a manufacturer dedicated to providing fine-quality basic bedding products. Its collaborative Sleep Climate line features pillows, comforters, blankets, mattress pads, and mattress toppers that include 37.5 Technology for enhanced comfort and temperature regulation. This partnership comes on the heels of recent collaborations with Carpenter Co., Design Weave USA, Trident Group, and Standard Fiber LLC as 37.5 Technology continues to expand its home goods portfolio.

37.5 Technology is a temperature and humidity regulating technology that changes your sleep experience. Studies show that “thermal environment is one of the most important factors that can affect human sleep.”[1] Active 37.5 particles remove humidity from your sleep system, maximizing your body’s evaporative cooling processes; this helps to ensure that you stay cool and comfortable in the heat of the summer, and that you avoid cold sweats in the chill of winter.

“We are excited to add the retail channel of distribution to our partnership with Blue Ridge Home Fashions. Blue Ridge’s innovation and their focus on premium retail brands aligns well with the brand philosophy of 37.5 Technology, and we are excited about this new partnership,” said Serine Steinnes, executive vice president, Global Home.

With this partnership, 37.5 Technology is excited for more customers to experience their best nights’ sleep. Blue Ridge Home Fashions is one of the world’s largest down and feather processors and bedding manufacturers, and shares 37.5 Technology’s interest in bringing innovative sleep solutions to the market.

“At Blue Ridge Home Fashions, we partner with leaders that are the strongest in their field,” said Jody Folino, chief marketing officer at Blue Ridge Home Fashions. “That’s why we’re particularly excited about this collaboration with 37.5 Technology. We all need a better night’s sleep perhaps now more than ever! 37.5 Technology helps you achieve hours of uninterrupted, deep sleep.”

Blue Ridge Home Fashions will be displaying the new Sleep Climage collection, including pillows, comforters, mattress pads, blankets, and mattress toppers at the upcoming New York Market Week March 11-15.

[1] Okamoto-Mizuno, Kazue, and Koh Mizuno. “Effects of Thermal Environment on Sleep and Circadian Rhythm.” Journal of Physiological Anthropology, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3427038/.

Posted: February 15, 2023

Source: 37.5Ⓡ Technology

Orion Achieves Gold Rating, Higher Sustainability Score From EcoVadis

HOUSTON — February 15, 2023 — Orion Engineered Carbons, a global specialty chemicals company, announced today it has received a Gold medal rating from EcoVadis, an independent organization that assesses the performance of companies in a wide range of sustainability areas.

Orion improved its score from the previous year, moving up from 72 to 77 points — just one point away from receiving a Platinum medal rating. The company is now in the 99th percentile of companies assessed by EcoVadis.

“The way Orion was able to jump five points in one year and reach the top 1 percent of companies shows how the many improvements we have made can add up to a big change,” Orion CEO Corning Painter said. “We are so close to Platinum now and will continue to strive for that goal as we deliver sustainable solutions to our customers.”

EcoVadis reviews companies’ performance in the areas of environment, ethics, sustainable procurement, overall sustainability governance, labor and human rights. The organization says it assesses more than 100,000 companies in over 200 industries in more than 175 countries.

Orion’s most recent sustainability initiatives have included installing control equipment at its U.S. plants that is substantially reducing emissions. The company is producing innovative products with pyrolysis oils from end-of-life tires and bio-circular feedstocks. Orion also plans to expand production of acetylene-based conducive additives for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.

Posted: February 15, 2023

Source: Orion Engineered Carbons

RePEaT Licenses Polyester Chemical Recycling Technology To Zhejiang Jianxin Jiaren New Materials

TOKYO — February 15, 2023 — RePEaT Co. Ltd. announced today that it has signed an agreement to license its chemical recycling technology for polyester products to Zhejiang Jianxin Jiaren New Materials Co. Ltd., as the world’s first company to be licensed by RePEaT.

RePEaT is a joint venture established last month by Teijin Ltd., JGC Holdings Corp. and ITOCHU Corp. to license recycling technology based on Teijin’s expertise in dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), JGC’s expertise for general engineering in plant construction, and ITOCHU’s global network spanning diverse industries.

Zhejiang Jianxin, established in 2022, is a member of the Jinggong Holding Group, which operates businesses in China focused on environmental management in the steel, textile, building materials and beverage sectors. Under the group, there is Zhejiang Jiaren New Materials, who is specialized in operating chemical-recycling plants.

RePEaT will provide a technology that uses the organic compound DMT for the chemical decomposition, conversion and then repolymerization of polyester (PET). Zhejiang Jianxin will use the technology in a polyester-product recycling plant it plans to start up in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province next year.

RePEaT supports the implementation of resource-recovery mechanisms (ecosystems) for the recycling of polyester products to help reduce CO2 emissions in both the manufacture and eventual disposal of polyester clothing. The company is also working to reduce the environmental impact of its own supply chain to contribute to a more sustainable world.

Posted: February 15, 2023

Source: Teijin Limited

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