Welcome to the Plastics Weekly, NEO’s regular news monitoring of the plastics industry.
This week’s highlights:
- The UK’s funding agency for science and research, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has revealed 17 projects are being funded by its Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Challenge to improve the use and management of plastic packaging. The UK-based projects are receiving a combined sum of GBP3.2m (US$3.97m). The UKRI’s SSPP Challenge is said to represent the largest UK government investment in sustainable plastic packaging and the projects are expected to go on to support the achievement of the UK Plastics Pact. (Packaging Gateway)
- Borealis and Ecopost are collaborating to scale up the collection and recycling of plastic waste in Kenya by formalising collecting processes, expanding its recycling capacity, and training and recruiting collectors. Borealis is set to fund capacity building, training, and engaging more waste collectors, alongside entrepreneurial start-up kits for minority groups working in the waste collection sector. These efforts share the ultimate goal of advancing waste recycling in Kenya and promoting a circular economy in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (Packaging Europe)
- Honeywell International, Inc. (US) announced that Biotrend Energy (Istanbul) signed equipment supply, production license, and warranty agreements to build Turkey’s first commercialized advanced waste recycling plant using Honeywell UOP UpCycle Process Technology. The facility will convert mixed waste plastics into recycled polymer feedstock (RPF), helping to develop a circular economy for plastics. (Chemical Engineering)