Chemicals firm will work with London-based Mura Technology on potentially 600,000 metric tons of hydrothermal recycling capacity globally.
The Horgen, Switzerland, office of United States-based Dow has announced its intention to use its partnership with London-based Mura Technology to “construct multiple world-scale 120,000-metric-ton-capacity advanced recycling facilities in the U.S. and Europe.”
If the two companies follow through on the plan, it will create as much as 600,000 metric tons of annual nonmechanical recycling capacity, they say.
Mura says its hydrothermal recycling process, HydroPRS, “breaks down plastics using water in the form of supercritical steam (water at elevated pressure and temperature). The steam acts like molecular scissors, cutting longer-chain hydrocarbon bonds in plastics to produce the valuable chemicals and oils from which the plastic was originally made–in as little as 25 minutes.”
The process, according to Dow and Mura, can recycle difficult-to-sort items such as films, pots, tubs and trays. “The process is designed to work alongside conventional recycling and wider initiatives to reduce and reuse plastic such as mechanical recycling (where plastic waste is shredded and re-formed into different plastic products), which remains crucial to Dow’s recycling strategy,” the company says.
At the end of its process, Mura says, the oils produced are “equivalent to the original fossil products [and] are then used to produce new, virgin-grade plastic with no limit to the number of times the same material can be processed, creating a true circular economy for plastic [scrap].” Potential end markets include food-contact packaging, Dow says.
The global chemicals and polymers firm says it role in the partnership is as “a key off-taker of the circular feed that Mura produces.” The circular process “reduces reliance on fossil-based feedstocks and will enable Dow to produce a recycled plastic feedstock for the development of new, virgin-grade plastics which are in high demand from global brands,” Dow says.
The first plant using Mura’s HydroPRS process is being built in Teesside, United Kingdom, and is expected to be operational in 2023 with a 20,000 metric tons per year production line. The output will “supply Dow with a 100 percent recycled feedstock,” the companies say.
The extended partnership is set to considerably increase this supply, playing a significant role in Dow and Mura’s planned global rollout of as much as 600,000 metric tons of hydrothermal recycling capacity by 2030.
The planned capital investments by Mura, along with Dow’s off-take agreements, represent both companies’ largest commitment to date to advance and scale global non-mechanical recycling capabilities, the companies say.
“The strengthening of Dow and Mura’s partnership is another example of how Dow is working to build momentum around breakthrough advanced recycling technologies,” says Marc van den Biggelaar, advanced recycling director for Dow. “Dow is committed to accelerating a circular economy for plastics and our expanded partnership with Mura marks a significant step on this journey.”
CEO of Mura Technology Dr. Steve Mahon says, “Mura’s technology is designed to champion a global circular plastics economy, and our partnership with Dow is a key enabler to bringing HydroPRS to every corner of the globe. This next step in our partnership and the resources provided by Dow will allow us to finance and dramatically increase recycling capacity and enable circular plastics to enter global supply chains at scale.”
Dow says it remains on track with mechanical recycling-related projects and has announced two additional ones recently: an investment to build what it calls “the single largest single hybrid recycling site in France, managed by Valoregen, that will secure a source of postconsumer resins (PCR) for Dow” and a letter of intent with Atlanta-based Nexus Circular to create what it calls a circular ecosystem in Dallas for “previously non-recycled” plastic, which Dow says build on its previous Hefty EnergyBag collaboration with Nexus and Reynolds Consumer Products.”
Steel producer and scrap yard operator has netted $4.66 billion in the first half of 2022.
Charlotte, North Carolina-based steelmaker and scrap yard operator Nucor Corp. has announced what it calls record quarterly consolidated net earnings of $2.56 billion for this year’s second quarter. It follows earnings of $2.10 billion garnered in the first quarter of 2022.
In the first six months of 2022, Nucor has recorded net earnings of $4.66 billion, or $17.30 per diluted share. That compares with net earnings of $2.45 billion, or $8.13 per diluted share, in the first half of 2021.
“Nucor’s second-quarter earnings of $9.67 per diluted share and first-half earnings of $17.30 per diluted share both represent new records,” says Leon Topalian, Nucor president and CEO. “Nucor’s differentiated business model is yielding exceptional results.”
The scrap-fed electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaker, which also owns the David J. Joseph (DJJ) scrap processing and trading firm, says its net sales increased 12 percent to $11.79 billion in the second quarter of 2022, representing a 34 percent increase compared with $8.79 billion in the second quarter of last year.
The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton of used in this year’s second quarter was $534, an 8 percent increase compared with $495 in the first quarter of 2022. The $534 figure also represents a 17 percent increase compared with one year ago, when the cost was $457 per ton.
The company’s Raw Materials business unit, which includes DJJ, earned $263.6 million for Nucor in the first half of this year. That is a 119 percent jump from the $120.1 million earned in the first half of 2021.
Overall operating rates at the company’s EAF steel mills increased to 85 percent in the second quarter of 2022, which compares with a 77 percent rate in the first quarter. In the first half of this year, Nucor’s mills have operated at 81 percent of capacity, which compares with a 96 percent rate in the first six months of 2021.
Nucor says demand remains “stable and resilient” for steel in its major markets and that “customer inventory levels appear right-sized relative to economic conditions.”
The company adds, however, “We expect a decrease from the record-setting second quarter, [but] we expect another strong quarter of profitability in the third quarter of 2022. We believe that 2022 will be the most profitable year in Nucor’s history.”
Nucor continues, “We expect the steel mills segment earnings to be sequentially lower in the third quarter of 2022 due to lower expected shipment volumes and average selling prices, particularly at our sheet and plate mills. Raw materials segment earnings are expected to improve in the third quarter of 2022 due to higher realized pricing at our direct reduced iron (DRI) facilities.”
The company is offering the service to help reduce powered equipment loss and streamline fleet management.
Lytx Inc., a San Diego-based video telematics solutions provider, has launched the Lytx Asset Tracking Service to augment its fleet management solutions. The company also announced several new maintenance enhancements for its Fleet Tracking Service, which are slated to be released later this year.
Available now in the U.S. and Canada, the Asset Tracking Service can be used by fleet managers looking for a streamlined approach to locating and managing their powered equipment. The Lytx Asset Tracking Service is designed for fleet managers who need timely information about their powered equipment. The service consists of the Lytx Asset Tracker hardware and a monthly subscription per unit that grants customers access to the customizable software via a Lytx account.
The company says asset tracking is essential for customers with mixed fleets since the location of assets can change quickly. Without a means of locating and tracking equipment, companies can be exposed to theft and loss of equipment.
By installing a Lytx Asset Tracker device into a powered asset and using the tracking software, companies can obtain data like the asset serial number, estimated location, last connected time and the last movement date. Customized real-time alerts provide additional visibility including how long the equipment has been dormant, the current battery level and when an asset enters or exits a defined area.
Paired with Lytx’s Fleet Tracking Service, asset tracking can provide fleet managers with the peace of mind of knowing where both their vehicles and essential powered equipment are always. This full-view visibility gives fleet managers and business owners the ability to track history and travel patterns to determine vehicle and equipment usage and whether they need to buy more equipment or offload some.
Lytx says its Fleet Tracking Service provides a seamless solution for fleet managers who need to regularly access fleet status, manage driver efficiency and keep their vehicles running in top condition.
Lytx’s GPS fleet tracking software allows companies to manage and monitor their vehicles and assets in the field to respond faster, complete more jobs, decrease theft and improve customer satisfaction. With an installed GPS-enabled device, fleet managers can gain visibility into arrival, idle and departure times, leading to faster decision-making and reduced fuel costs.
Lytx Fleet Tracking Service can be customized to suit all fleet needs, including setting defined areas called geofences, configuring interactive maps and analyzing specific trends and performance. Video-enabled devices can enhance asset tracking by providing video evidence to help protect drivers and reduce claims costs in the event of a collision and support investigations of damage incidents or missing equipment.
New maintenance enhancements are in development and will be added to Lytx’s Fleet Tracking Service later this year. Those new capabilities include:
diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) support for heavy-duty vehicles using Lytx DTC Insights, which can identify potential vehicle malfunctions and help managers resolve issues before they become more dangerous and costly,
preventative maintenance by calendar that allows fleet managers to proactively configure and schedule vehicle service intervals with due dates set by calendar day, helping with performing time-based vehicle maintenance, resulting in fewer vehicle failures; and
preventative maintenance by engine hours that enables managers to track and schedule maintenance by engine hours, which can help measure the wear and tear on vehicles.
The manufacturer explains the differences between different sorting methods and the technology that goes into sorting and identifying different recyclables.
Robotic technology is rapidly evolving in the recycling industry, especially in the area of optical sorting equipment. Drawing from deep datasets, optical sorters using different ejection methods process material fractions more efficiently and with higher purity rates than at any other time.
But what exactly constitutes a robot in the recycling industry and how do these machines leverage the deep learning subset of artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit today’s recycling facilities?
“Recycling Robots, Take Two,” the latest eBook from Norway-based Tomra Recycling, a global leader in sensor-based sorting, explains the similarities and differences between optical sorters with valve block and robotic arm ejectors and details how, when implemented as part of the holistic system design, both can improve plant sorting performance.
The eBook describes what is at the heart of AI, how everyone experiences it every day and opens the reader’s mind to recognize the term “robot sorter” is not just a machine with sorting arms.
Readers also learn the four critical components shared by all-optical sorters, what different sorting technologies are available for the recycler’s toolbox and the software’s role in sorting. Processing software, in particular, is critical to the sorting process, and it should be developed specifically for the type of sorting technology employed so the recycler can maximize material recovery.
The eBook concludes with the message that, while not new to the recycling industry, the use of AI and deep datasets is expanding, resulting in faster processing speeds, higher recovery rates of the most complex material fractions and maximum circularity by bringing more high-quality recyclates into the loop. Together, optical sorters–both with valve block as well as robotic arm ejectors–allow the workforce to be used more efficiently to lower overall operating costs for the recycler. To be most effective, however, these sorters must be positioned in the line as part of a holistic approach to the automated circuit.
Click here to download a copy of the ebook.
The company plans to create an international business development team as it steps into new markets.
Buffalo, New York-based Wendt Corp. says its international expansion plans are supported by an internal promotion of Ethan Willard to global director of business development and the hiring of industry veteran Dennis Law.
“Our expansion to enter new markets and geographies and introduce our world-class products and services marks a milestone moment in the growth of Wendt Corporation,” says Tom Wendt, president. “Leveraging Ethan and Dennis’ deep expertise and valuable perspectives along with the strength of our existing teams and capabilities will help us unlock new global markets and foster sustainable growth.”
In his new role, Willard will help develop Wendt’s product line and oversee the company’s entry into new markets. He will provide strategic leadership and structure to an experienced team of business development professionals. This team establishes performance specifications to ensure Wendt’s equipment meets customers’ expectations as markets evolve. Willard has spent his 10-year career at Wendt in various roles from sales engineer to most recently managing shredder business development. He led the discovery, sale and execution of automobile shredding and aluminum shredding plants around the world while also pioneering efforts in the development and implementation of auto shredder emissions control systems.
Two members of that business development team will be William Close and Mike Woodward, each with more than 30 years with Wendt. They will merge Wendt’s core areas of shredding and separation into a single team, their experience setting the foundation for global expansion as worldwide demand for the company’s technology grows. Over the past five years, Wendt has experienced record sales growth.
“Wendt is well-positioned for exponential growth internationally, and I am excited to lead the expansion efforts,” Willard says. “Our shredding and separation technologies have received an influx of interest, and we have a tremendous opportunity to deliver our innovative plants and technologies around the world that help on the path toward a sustainable future. We will look to maintain our leadership position while leveraging our new team and trusted partners to grow our global footprint.”
Bolstering the international business team, Law will head global business development. From that post, he will identify the best strategy to enter new markets across Europe and Asia. Based out of Germany, Law will develop international markets within the scrap recycling industry while strengthening existing relationships with customers and partners across the globe. A seasoned veteran of the recycling industry, Law comes to Wendt with more than 17 years of experience. As a business development leader, he has held management positions, including stints with Metso and Steinert.
“Wendt has built a reputation as the market leader in North America, and I am excited to be in the position to expand that leadership position internationally,” Law says. “Being based not only in America but also in Europe is yet another step by the company to steadily expand and better serve customers as they would expect. Our customers all around the globe will now benefit from Wendt’s deep knowledge in shredder and non-ferrous plant manufacturing.”
Wendt Corp., a North American specialist in shredding and separation recycling solutions, has announced the appointment of several new international leaders to strengthen its global expansion efforts, enhance competitive positioning and focus on new global markets.