International Environment Council: Game-Changing Developments for Plastics Recycling in Europe

“We need to convey the message that recycling is resource-efficient and climate-efficient,” insisted Emmanuel Katrakis, Secretary General of the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, in his presentation to the BIR International Environment Council (IEC) meeting in Budapest on October 14, 2019. Focusing on the main policy and regulatory drivers behind a “reshaping” of plastics recycling in […]

BIR E-Scrap Committee: Time to Change from a “Hazard” to a “Risk” Approach to Recycling in Europe

Challenges and innovation in WEEE recycling within Europe formed the core of a guest presentation to the BIR E-Scrap Committee meeting in Budapest on October 14, 2019. In terms of challenges, Chris Slijkhuis of Austria’s Müller-Guttenbrunn Group (MGG) highlighted material losses through illegal scavenging, collections and exports. In addition, the linking of EU waste and […]

BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee: “Soft Patch” for Stainless Steel while Nickel Surges to Five-Year High

Recent weeks have brought the “confusing” reality of substantially higher nickel prices but a fall in stainless steel values, according to Joost van Kleef of Oryx Stainless BV in the Netherlands. “So how is that possible?” the Chairman of the BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee asked the body’s latest gathering on October 15, […]

BIR Plastics Committee: Meeting Focuses on “Unavoidable” Technological Advances in Plastics Recycling

“The alarm bells are ringing louder and louder” for plastics recyclers amid worrying economic developments and wider uncertainties, warned BIR Plastics Committee Chairman Henk Alssema of Netherlands-based Vita Plastics in his introductory remarks to the body’s latest meeting in Budapest on October 14, 2019. But while many companies are currently beset by problems such as […]

BIR Ferrous Division: Obstacles to Free Trade in Recycled Materials also Stand in the Way of Sustainability

“I think we can agree that there is no place for quotas, tariffs and bans in the scrap industry,” insisted Greg Schnitzer of US-based Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. in Budapest on October 15, 2019. The BIR Ferrous Division’s President was responding to a guest presentation delivered to the body’s latest meeting by Viktor Kovshevny of […]

BIR Paper Division: Delegates Debate the Outlook for Europe’s Recovered Fibre Surplus

Over the course of the next three to four years, Turkey could provide a home for a significant proportion of Europe’s recovered fibre surplus, it was indicated at the latest meeting of the BIR Paper Division. By the year 2023, Turkish paper mills are expected to have developed a combined annual production capacity of between […]

BIR Textiles Division: Brexit Adds Complexity to Already-Difficult Market Conditions

The textiles recycling industry is suffering from a combination of high supply, falling quality and payment issues among some customers, stated Martin Böschen of Switzerland-based TEXAID – Textilverwertungs AG in his summary of market reports delivered to the BIR Textiles Division meeting on October 14, 2019. “We also need to find better recycling solutions for […]

BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division: “No Way Back” Following Transformation in Scrap Trade Flows

According to David Chiao of US-based Uni-All Group Ltd, the main issues affecting non-ferrous scrap businesses at present are the US/China trade war, political instability around the world and a widespread decline in manufacturing, with some countries’ automotive industries recording 10 % production drops over the recent period. At the same time, scrap metal flows […]

Spotlight Discussion on Global Trade: “Misrepresented” Recycling Industry is Telling “The Right Story”

Despite the multiple challenges engulfing the recycling industry, there are also many reasons to be optimistic about its prospects. This was the overarching conclusion drawn by contributors to a debate on global trade which kicked off BIR’s latest World Recycling Convention, held at the Budapest Marriott Hotel on October 14 and 15, 2019. Session moderator […]

BIR World Recycling Convention 2019 in Budapest: BIR’s new President Places Emphasis on Education

In his first Convention welcome address as President of BIR, Tom Bird set out the key priorities for his term in office, including membership expansion and a close working relationship with the media to promote the vast environmental, economic and social contribution of the recycling industry. He also identified the need to make BIR the […]

The LEGO Group to Pilot new Program LEGO® Replay in the United States

The LEGO Group announced the launch of LEGO® Replay, a pilot program that will accept any and all previously used LEGO bricks and donate them to children’s non-profits in the United States. The effort is a collaboration with Give Back Box, Teach For America, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. The process is simple: […]

Belgian Separation Technology Dominates the Global Plastic Recycling Transition

If you think about Belgium, you think about beer, chocolate and waffles. A lesser-known fact about the Belgians is that they are frontrunners in the global recycling industry. Not only can Belgian recycling companies boast one of the best recycling rates, but the country is also home to various technology providers, one of which is […]

Panizzolo Mega 1500: Decisive Role for Metal Valorization

Due to non-performing recycling plants, a considerable quantity of metals cannot be reintroduced into the production cycle in Europe every year, says Italy-based manufacturer Panizzolo. Not having a sufficient degree of cleaning and separation, these outputs are lost in landfills, incinerators or in exports to countries with low environmental policies. “Panizzolo Recycling Systems avoids vague […]

New Plant for Plastic Recycling in Thailand

The multinational group Suez will build a recycling facility that turns plastic waste into circular polymers, in Bang Phli district (Thailand). According to the company’s information in June this year, the future plant near Bangkok would “contribute to Thailand’s ambitious 2030 target to achieve 100 percent plastic recycling”. The plan includes that it will convert […]

CW Dewiring: Improves Working Safety and Lowers Labor Costs

The beginning of Cross Wrap dates back to 1992 when the founder of the Finland-based company had the vision for an innovative way of wrapping square bales and other rectangular end products. Two years later the first Cross Wrap machine was built. Nowadays, the company has installed machines in over 50 countries. Nevertheless, in all […]