VCA will work with another association to research the recycling of vinyl composite materials.

The Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) and the Specialised Textiles Association (STA) say they have secured Australian government grant funding of nearly AUD$350,000 ($256,000) to further research into the recycling of end-of-life polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester (PES) composite textile products in Australia.

The two associations’ TexBack project is one of 15 grant applications (out of a total 190 submissions) to receive that level of funding from the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund (NPSIF). The government’s funding program was launched to promote and stimulate shared action for “everyday products with a focus on working to reduce waste generation and increased resource recovery,” according to the VCA.

VCA describes TexBack as an industry-driven initiative that aims to recycle PVC-PES composite textile products and scrap that are most commonly not recovered in Australia.

The grant will fund the development of the business case for a national product stewardship scheme for textiles such as grain covers, tarpaulins, advertising banners, tents and marquees, roofing and grounds sheets, truck tarps, marine fabrics, swimming pool liners and upholstery fabrics, says VCA.

The project covers a range of activities, including testing of a new chemical separation technology, that will enable the specialized textiles and vinyl sectors to address the growing concerns of discarded materials ending up in landfill.

The NPSIF has projected 1.5 million metric tons of scrap can be diverted from landfill through the initiative and will further boost the economy by creating more than 560 potential jobs.

“TexBack will build on earlier VCA-led research into potential recycling options of PVC coated fabrics conducted over the past four years,” says Jan van de Graaff, the VCA’s PVC stewardship manager.

“This grant now gives VCA and STA a real opportunity to collaborate to engage the textile sector in developing a viable scheme for recovery and reprocessing of this waste stream, particularly as there is a potential end-use for the material that will lead to manufacturing of a completely new durable building product in Australia,” adds van de Graaff.

Comments Ana Drougas of the STA, “We are excited to be working with the VCA in an Australian first project to pilot the introduction of innovative and uniquely Australian world-leading PVC separation technology.”

Information services provider will host virtual conference Dec. 9-10.

London-based Kallanish says it will present its Kallanish Europe Steel Markets 2020 event as a virtual conference Dec. 9-10.

The company says its online format will provide face-to-face networking in an “interactive networking room” and a program featuring topics designed to provide attendees with “the strategies to face challenges and succeed in 2021.”

Kallanish says it has lined up speakers from numerous global steel companies and associations, including  ArcelorMittal, JSW Steel, Marcegaglia, SSAB, Stemcor, Assofermet Acciai, Metinvest Trametal, Siderweb, EU-Metal, UK Steel, Eurometal, Eurofer, Galex Steel International, Borcelik, GNK Center, StahlmarktConsult and Feralpi Group.

More information about the conference, including additional details on the program, can be found on this web page.

Scrap association, along with two others, urges German leaders to make metals recycling a circular economy priority.

Düsseldorf, Germany-based BDSV, that nation’s Federal Association of German Steel Recycling and Disposal Cos., has issued a statement along with two other trade associations urging elected and appointed officials in Germany to prioritize scrap recycling when seeking circular economy and emissions-reduction strategies.

BDSV issued the statement along with the VDM, or Association of German Metal Dealers e.V, and the BDE, or Federal Association of German Waste Management, Water and Raw Materials Management.

“On the occasion of the status report of the German circular economy 2020 presented today, the associations BDE, BDSV and VDM point out the special importance of recycled ferrous and nonferrous metals for the circular economy and national economy,” state the groups in part.

They add, “As a production location for many industries, Germany is dependent on raw material imports. Metal recycling can make a significant contribution to securing raw materials in Germany and at the same time save immense energy and CO2 by using the recycled raw materials in production. The environmental and climate policy goals of Germany and the European Union cannot be achieved without metal recycling.”

The three associations jointly have recommended three measures they say can boost metals recycling:

SLS says that as clients’ demands evolve, the company will continue to work closely with them and leverage their network of partners around the world.

Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS),  a West Chicago, Illinois-based company focused on information technology asset disposition (ITAD) and electronics recycling, participated on a panel at the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) European Summit 2020.

The virtual summit, which took place Sept. 29-30 brought together returns and reverse logistics subject matter experts to discuss issues surrounding the circular economy, customer experience, digital transformation and recycling challenges.

Jelle Slenters, head of business development for SLS, EMEA participated in a panel regarding “Recycling Challenges in Reverse Logistics” Sept. 30. The panel featured Corey Dehmey from SERI and Maria Eisenberg from Marimole and discussed how reducing waste is good for profits and for the planet, but also how effective recycling can be complex and expensive.

“I appreciated the invitation to participate in this panel discussion and offer my perspective on the unique recycling challenges facing the industry today,” Slenters said. “As discussed, communication and transparency are going to remain significant to overcome these challenges, and as our clients’ demands evolve we will continue to work closely with them, invest in our ecosystem, and leverage our strong network of partners around the world. This collaboration will help drive more closed-loop solutions.”

The New England-based recycler’s new shredder can process more than 115 tons per hour of C&D materials.

Murphy Road Recycling, Enfield, Connecticut, recently added an M&J PreShred 4000M preshredder from Metso to help with construction and demolition (C&D) recycling services. Murphy Road Recycling is an independently owned waste management firm that operates multiple facilities in New England. The new shredder will expand Murphy Road Recycling’s capabilities and diversify its ability to accept difficult-to-manage materials such as windmill blades, fiberglass boats, large green oak stumps, wheels and tires.

According to a statement on Metso’s website about the shredder, its M&J PreShred 4000M “is a versatile preshredder” that can be used for waste processing and waste recycling applications. It is able to process many types of waste, such as municipal solid waste, industrial waste, construction waste, biomass, wood and bulky waste. The company offers the shredder in mobile and stationary versions.

Lou Martins, general sales manager at Metso, says Murphy Road Recycling “did extensive testing” of the M&J PreShred 4000M earlier this fall. He says the recycler tested the machine during a 40-hour demo.

“They basically ran everything from C&D to large quantity of sani cans to tires and wheels” through the M&J PreShred 4000M, Martins says. “Basically, as I heard from their plant manager, they tried to destroy [the shredder], but they couldn’t, so that was the deciding factor that drove their decision to make the Metso mobile preshredder their top choice.”

Murphy Road Recycling is now operating the mobile version of this shredder along with an additional Metso shredder cutting table. Martins says Murphy Road Recycling’s M&J PreShred 4000M is processing about 115 tons per hour in a C&D application.

The company offers construction and demolition recycling services for the Northeast. It operates multiple facilities, including transfer stations, processing facilities and recycling centers. According to the recycler’s website, its services include single-stream recycling, dumpster rentals and compactor service, recycled landscaping products, demolition, construction waste management and more.

“We’re proud to partner with [Murphy Road Recycling] on this project, as they are leaders in the region, and we’re comfortable that the reliability and industry-leading robustness of the Metso M&J shredder is the perfect solution to help USA maintain and enhance their positioning within this segment,” Martins adds.