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New alliance 'will drive #EUCircularEconomy road map forward'

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A consortium of leading companies have joined forces to help drive the European Union’s circular economy road map forward, writes Martin Banks.

Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS), a plastics industry initiative, has teamed up with INEOS Styrolution, Total, Trinseo and Versalis (Eni), seeking to drive the shift to a more circular economy for polystyrene.

SCS and the four founding members signed the SCS incorporation agreement in Brussels with the overall aim being to increase the market for recyclates.

The European Commission adopted an action plan in 2015 to help accelerate Europe's transition towards a circular economy and boost global competitiveness.

In a circular economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. Waste and resource use are minimized and when a product reaches the end of its life, it is used again to create further value. This can bring major economic benefits, contributing to innovation, growth and job creation.

As part of its commitment to leading a new and comprehensive approach to the recycling of styrenics, SCS is developing technologies that will enable polystyrene, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and other styrenic based plastics to be fully recycled.

EPS is a rigid cellular plastic which is found in a multitude of shapes and applications.

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SCS Secretary General Jens Kathmann welcomed the move, saying the incorporation with the four companies is a key step forward.

He said: “It marks an important milestone of our  voluntary pledge. The potential for polystyrene recycling is enormous. We know that polystyrene has an unparalleled capacity for closed-loop recycling, when properly collected and sorted.”

He said the polystyrene industry is already at the forefront of a recycling innovation drive.

Polystyrene is one of the most common forms of plastic and can be found in take-out coffee cups, egg cartons and the packing material used to cushion goods for shipping.

Polystyrene is also a very versatile material and ideal for recycling.

Kathmann detailed the “vital role” that styrene-based products can play in the circular economy and the steps SCS is taking to transform the styrenics industry.

The joint industry initiative engages the value chain in the development and industrialisation of new recycling technologies and solutions. It aims to strengthen the sustainability of styrenic products while improving resource efficiency within the circular economy.

The agreement between SCS and its founding members confirms the bigger shift that is underway in the styrenics industry, said Kathmann.

A plastics industry source said, “Both styrenics producers and waste collection and sorting partners are working closely together, as polystyrene’s unmatched intrinsic capacity for recyclability will be key to achieving full circularity.

“The incorporation reflects a holistic approach across the value chain, showcasing the concrete action the industry is taking to drive the shift to a more circular economy for polystyrene."

SCS and the four members, INEOS Styrolution, Total, Trinseo and Versalis (Eni), signed the SCS incorporation agreement in Brussels.

EPS can be recycled effectively, is a desirable material with, according to a recent report in Packaging Digest, 38 per cent of EPS being recycled in 2016.

“Once the collection and consolidation piece is figured out, EPS recycling is fairly straightforward and there are a number of large-scale success stories in EPS recycling,” said the industry source.

The food service industry is a major user of this product, which makes strong, protective and insulating trays, cups and containers. These properties also allow it to be a preferred packaging material for product protection in shipping.

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