Extrusion International 2-2024-USA

20 Extrusion International 2/2024 INDUSTRY NEWS Digitalization Meets Recycling – Research Team Develops Tool with Recyclate Data Digitalization can massively promote the circular economy. Together with its partners GreenDelta, Cir- plus and the Wuppertal Institute, the SKZ Plastics Cen- ter has now completed a project that facilitates the use of recyclates. Companies can now use a tool to find and evaluate suitable secondary materials. Together with its partners GreenDelta, Cirplus and the Wuppertal Institute, the SKZ fromWürzburg started the project Circularity Optimization for Plastics (CYCLOPS) in 2021, which has now been completed in 2023. "The ambitious goal of CYCLOPS was to provide buyers and sellers of recycled or waste plastics with a user-friend- ly tool that allows them to compare materials quickly and easily. The decision to use recycled plastics will be supported by concrete arguments," says Max Meister, Founding Associate at Cirplus. To achieve this, the last two years of research have in- volved many small steps – such as evaluating listings and material data, creating software with a strict focus on us- ability, many tests and countless data comparisons, crite- ria and definitions. Work that has paid off: The CYCLOPS tool provides information on recyclate applications, achievable prices and their influencing factors, as well as the environmental benefits of recyclates. The overall re - sult is a user-friendly tool that provides a quick overview when comparing sources of recycled and virgin plastic. Recycling saves up to 90 percent of CO 2 emissions com- pared to new products - and thus makes a meaningful contribution to climate protection in addition to avoid- ing waste and conserving resources. "CYCLOPS is a mile- stone in breaking down existing barriers in the recycling market," says Jan Werner, Group Manager Sustainable and Circular Products at SKZ. "The feedback from the first validations at trade fairs has been very promising. We hope to make further valuable contributions in fu- ture projects to achieve the transition to a circular econ- omy through coordinated recycling flows." The CYCLOPS tool is freely available. SKZ Plastics Center Dr. rer. nat. Jan Werner, j.werner@skz.de There are still barriers in the recycling market. The CYCLOPS tool, co-developed by SKZ, aims to change this (Photo: SKZ) 2024 Cleanup Champions Announced The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has an- nounced its list of 2024 Cleanup Champions. Lead by the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Community Impact Task Group, the Cleanup Champions Initiative encourages PLASTICS’ member companies to use the Guide to Plan- ning a Litter Cleanup to carry out a cleanup in their com- munity in 2024. Each of these companies are dedicated to making a difference in their communities by working to eliminate all material waste from the environment. “PLASTICS and the entire plastics industry are dedicat- ed to recycling, keeping waste out of our environment, and effecting positive change within our local commu- nities,” said Heather Nortz, PLASTICS’ Sustainability and Materials Manager. “Our 2024 Cleanup Champions are committed to giving back to their communities and helping our environment. We look forward to seeing all the good work they accomplish this year to make an impact and help us come together to address the envi- ronmental challenges we face.” The 2024 Cleanup Champions are as follows: Ad- vanced Blending Solutions; Braskem; Brueckner; Colour Synthesis Solutions; Covestro; Dart Container; Epsilyte; Industrial Heater Corporation; Pure Cycle Technologies; Schake Industries, Inc; Shawnee Chemical.  The Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Community Im- pact Task Group was created in April of 2022 to foster collaboration among PLASTICS member companies and external organizations to provide an outlet for the in- dustry to give back and positively impact the environ- ment and communities the plastics industry serves. The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) www.plasticsindustry.org