The​ 3^rd edition of AMI's Plastics Recycling Technology Conference will take place at the Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen in Vienna, Austria from 20-21 April 2021.

Now more than ever, the pressure is on to recycle more plastics and to add value to reclaimed materials. Plastics Recycling Technology 2021 examines the latest technologies for increasing the volume of plastics being recycled and explores ways to improve the quality of reclaimed materials so that they can be used in higher-value applications. Leading experts come together to discuss advances in plastics recycling systems, from sorting and cleaning through to compounding and pelletisation. They also examine developments in additives for boosting the properties, appearance, compatibility and processability of recycled plastics, and circular design for better end-of life processing.

The conference kicks off on Tuesday 20 April with AMI’s Recycling and Sustainability lead, Silke Einschuetz, opening the day with a ‘Global recycling market overview’. Then Pablo Leon, CEO Asia Pacific atFosimpewill take the stage to talk about a ‘European perspective of plastics recycling in Asia’. Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO, Plastix A/S, will explore ‘Mechanical recycling of post-marine PP and HDPE for high quality applications’. Also hear about ‘Making WEEE plastics circular is not easy’ by Chris Slijkhuis, General Manager, MGG Polymers GmbH.

Day two will start with ‘Robotic sorting as one key element in recycling of rigid plastic materials’ presented byThomas Baldt, Sales Representative DACH, Zen Robotics. The day will end with an interesting panel discussion on ‘Overcoming challenges and exploring opportunities of the recycling industry in the decade of 2020-2030’. Theline-up includes Rudolf Woelfer, Head of Circular Economy Solutions, Borealis Polyolefine GmbH; Giorgio Santella, General Manager, CMG Granulators; Chris Slijkhuis, General Manager, MGG Polymers GmbHand Norbert Grünewald, Head of Business Unit Sales and Technology, POLY-IQ GmbH.

New for 2021, this event has a site visit to Starlinger & Co. GmbH’s Vienna recycling technology business unit, which will take place the day before the conference starts, on Monday 19^th April 2021. You have an exclusive opportunity to see their leading-edge technology in action. They will demonstrate both the recycling machine that turns used, washed PP big bags into regranulate and the recycling machine that turns used, washed PET bottles into regranulate. At the textile packaging business unit, you will see the tape stretching line and circular loom in operation which are used to produce big bag fabric.

Plastics Recycling Technology 2021 boasts a truly international audience, ranging from China to Europe. It also brings together representatives of the entire supply chain, offering unrivalled opportunities to network, exchange experience and learn through interaction with colleagues, suppliers, customers and competitors.

To view the programme and book your place, visit: www.ami.ltd/recycling

For further information on attending, exhibiting or sponsoring this event, please contact Carole Charrade, Conference Organiser, on Tel: +44 117 314 8111 or carole.charrrade@ami.international

AMI Consulting has published its authoritative report mapping the global Single Serve Capsules industry. The report aims to support the development of robust participation strategies by equipping industry players and investors with a comprehensive understanding of scale of potential for future development, growth dynamics per system, market drivers and competitive pressures.

All compatible capsules (both plastic and Aluminium variants) accounted for over a third the single serve capsules market worldwide in 2020, a staggering increase of over 9 billion units in comparison with 2018. There is a clear trend towards rationalisation of systems, with a clear focus on Nespresso and Dolce Gusto in Europe and K-cup in the US. Those 3 systems account for 81% of the global market.

Read the full press release here

AMI’s Agricultural Film Virtual Summit will take place from 26-29 October 2020 attracting global audience from across the supply chain.  

Food supply is a global issue and it’s one that doesn’t go away in a global pandemic.

For a long time now food producers have been putting in place initiatives to ensure that a higher percentage of the food that is grown can be brought to our tables for everyone’s benefit. Technological innovations and scientific advances in this area signpost future agricultural transformation and show that there is plenty that can be done to protect crops against uncontrollable elements such as pests and the weather.

While there are certainly differences in the types of crops that are grown in different regions, and in local government regulations, a global problem such as this requires a global solution. There is a huge benefit in the industry having a means by which to come together safely to discover the latest developments in agricultural films that will protect farming output. For manufacturers of resin; raw materials; additives and of the films themselves having an opportunity to identify, assess and respond to new and emerging markets is vital.

There are common challenges for agricultural film producers that run across geographical borders. A very topical one is how to deal with the environmental impact of agricultural film products at the end of their life. In countries such as Spain and Latin America a lot of work is being done to understand how best to recover agricultural plastics from the field and then recycle them into other goods. Across the world scientists are working hard to produce soil biodegradable films and to extend the life of traditional films.

Read the full article here. 

AMI, Bristol 09/09/2020 – AMI Consulting has published its brand-new report on the global Chemical Recycling industry. The report provides a comprehensive view of the current status of chemical recycling of commodity polymers, market drivers, growth dynamics as well as a forecast for future development.

The amount of plastic waste in the environment has become a major concern for both regulators and the general public. There has been a huge drive towards sustainability and the ‘circular economy’ in recent years. Legislative measures are being introduced to curb the plastic waste production and to include more recycled content into everyday products, with Europe leading the way. Significant volumes of waste had been exported to China, until in 2018 China introduced its National Sword policy, which effectively banned the import of plastic waste, leaving many nations without a destination for their plastic waste. In addition, many brands are proactively looking to include more recycled content on their packaging.  

Recycling technologies currently in operation, largely based on mechanical recycling, are not suited to processing a significant portion of post-consumer waste. Emerging chemical recycling technologies are, however, capable of addressing this fraction.

Read the full press release here: AMI predicts a positive future for Global Chemical Recycling sector

According to our new authoritative report published in September 2020, market penetration for Polypropylene Compounds is rising despite a slowdown in demand in 2020 triggered by Covid-19. The shift towards electric and hybrid electric vehicles, while threatening some existing underhood applications, is creating major new opportunities for PP Compounds in lightweighting and power management. Underway in the automotive industry are major changes in the supply-chain with many businesses facing existential threats even before the impact of Covid-19. The shift to electric vehicles and the prospect of autonomous vehicles puts pressure on OEMs as never before and opens doors for new entrants such as Tesla but with others following. These are choppy waters for companies to navigate through. PP/PP Compounds bring some inherent benefits such as low density but also have seen sufficient technical development to enable them better to compete in semi-structural applications.

Read the full press release here: PP Compounds aid switch to electric vehicles

The global plastics industry has not escaped the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many manufacturing operations around the world forced to close by lockdown restrictions while others have been running flat out to meet spiralling demand for medical protective equipment and other key essentials such as food packaging.

But quantifying just how this has impacted on plastics businesses around the world at an operational level, and identifying what it means for their immediate and longer term business and development plans, has been a challenge.

Over the period from 24 June to 5 July 2020, AMI carried out a comprehensive survey of experiences and future expectations of plastics companies from around the world covering all the major end-use application markets from packaging and medical through to automotive and construction. 

The results of this survey provide a detailed assessment of the immediate impact, the short-term response, and the long-term impact on business planning and future market expectations. 

Download for free now

The free-to-attend Plastics and the Pandemic virtual forum series was held during July and August which focused on analysing the impact of Covid-19 on the global plastics industry.

The entire series is now available to watch on-demand!  Watch for free now

Session 1: Industry leaders discuss "how the plastics industry is reacting to the Covid-19 crisis and what happens next". See representatives from Plastics Industry Association, EuPC, JiaRui International Management and AMI.

Session 2: Leading industry speakers Andrew Reynolds, Mike Boswell, David Buckby and Chris Smith discuss “what effect Covid-19 has had on polymer supply, demand and pricing”

Session 3: Hear our panel of industry leaders including Kevin Vyse, Robert Render, Christine Leveque, Chris Slijkhuis, Lizzy Carroll, David Buckby and David Eldridge discuss “the impact of Covid-19 on recycling, sustainability and the image of plastics”. 

You can also download the supporting presentations: 

• Industry survey - Global insights to the pandemic
• Recovery scenarios and plastics market, theory and evidence
• Global recycling and the pandemic - an AMI perspective
  
  

Download the supporting presentations