Novelis, which is headquartered in Atlanta, has broken ground on the expansion of its automotive aluminum manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China, in early October. The $180 million investment will double the facility's production capacity for heat-treated aluminum sheet by 100,000 metric tons to better meet the growing demand for automotive aluminum in Asia, according to the company. The facility also will be equipped with a high-speed slitter, and a fully automated packaging line, Novelis says, adding that the expansion is expected to create 160 jobs.

The company says the project is scheduled to be completed in 2020 to align with key customer's vehicle-launch plans.

Novelis' Changzhou plant is the company's first aluminum automotive sheet manufacturing facility in China. The wholly owned $100 million plant first began commissioning in 2014 with an annual capacity of 100,000 metric tons. Located in the heart of the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, the plant provides customers in China and abroad with automotive sheet for use in lightweight vehicle structures and body panels with heat treatment and finishing capabilities.

The Changzhou facility will continue to partner with customers to launch their high-performance aluminum-intensive vehicles in Asia. Previous partner launches included the Cadillac CT6; CJLR's Jaguar XFL, XEL and the premium new-energy vehicle (NEV) NIO's ES8 SUV; FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6L; and HMC's IONIQ and Kona electric vehicle models. Novelis received the distinction of "Excellent Supplier" by FAW-Volkswagen in 2014 and 2015 and was awarded the "Strategy Cooperation" award in 2016 and 2017 by Chery Jaguar Land Rover.

"As market demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow, Novelis will play a critical role in supporting the next generation of automotive innovation and design," says Satish Pai, managing director of Hindalco Industries, the parent company of Novelis Inc. "This expansion reinforces our steadfast commitment to our customers and communities and reaffirms our continued confidence in this ever-growing market."

"This investment in Changzhou will allow us to better serve our automotive customers by providing world-class manufacturing capabilities, products that meet global quality standards and innovative solutions to make vehicles lighter, safer and stronger," says James Liu, managing director of Novelis China and vice president of Novelis' Automotive Business in Asia. "We will continue to work alongside our customers from program development to launch, to create 

Ernst

Walton, Kentucky-based Steinert US, which provides sorting and separation technology for the mining, industrial/municipal scrap metals, plastics and recycling markets, has named Andreas W. Ernst as its president and CEO.

Ernst has more than 20 years of experience in the global capital equipment and machinery industry, having spent much of his career with Sennebogen LLC. His expertise focuses on developing and leveraging strategic relationships across markets and regions to drive sales, marketing and servicing strategies, Steinert US says in a news release announcing Ernst’s appointment.

“I am excited to join Steinert, a company that embodies my core values—putting the customer first, always keeping your word and supporting passion, diversity and real innovation,” Ernst says.

He has been an active member of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) for many years and currently serves as chair of the Equipment and Service Providers Council and vice chair of the Convention Committee.

Montreal-based Loop Industries Inc. and Purchase, New York-based PepsiCo Inc. have entered into a multiyear supply agreement that will enable PepsiCo to purchase production capacity from Loop’s joint venture facility in the United States and incorporate Loop PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic into its product packaging by early 2020. Loop PET is made completely from recycled material.   

According to Loop Industries, its technology allows no- and low-value plastics to be diverted, recovered and recycled into new, virgin-quality Loop PET plastic. The company’s technology can recycle plastic bottles and packaging of any color, transparency or condition; carpet, clothing and other polyester textiles that may contain colors, dyes or additives; and even ocean plastics that have been degraded by sun and salt into recycled PET that meets U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for use in food-grade packaging, Loop says.

As one of the largest purchasers of recycled PET in the consumer goods space, PepsiCo has identified Loop PET as a commercially viable technology to expand the amount of recycled content in its product packaging and to help meet its sustainability ambitions and consumer needs, the partners say in a say in a news release about their agreement.

“Loop’s technology enables PepsiCo to be a leading force in ensuring plastic packaging need never become waste,” says Mehmood Khan, vice chairman and chief scientific officer, PepsiCo. “This partnership represents a step-change that will empower PepsiCo in our drive towards creating a circular economy for plastics.”

“We are very proud to supply PepsiCo with Loop branded PET plastic,” says Daniel Solomita, founder and CEO of Loop Industries.  “Working with a global food and beverage giant like PepsiCo will further establish the value proposition of the Loop brand and mission to accelerate the world’s shift toward sustainable plastic and away from the traditional, take, make and dispose economy.”

The deal also will include a marketing and communications plan to raise awareness of the importance of recycling, sustainability and the circular economy, the partners say.

The Florida Recycling Partnership, Anheuser-Busch and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) hosted the Florida Recycling Summit Oct. 3 to address the state of recycling in Florida. The one-day event started at Anheuser-Busch’s Metal Container Corporation facility with a short press conference and tour of the facility, and then attendees moved to the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville brewery for an educational session. 

“[The event] gave us an opportunity to highlight the recycling efforts of one our members,” says Keyna Cory, executive director of the Florida Recycling Partnership. “Also, Florida has a 75 percent recycling goal, and we have been working with the FDEP on different educational outreach opportunities. John Truitt, deputy secretary for FDEP, was at the press conference lending their support for recycling efforts, and Karen Moore, FDEP, gave a presentation on how recycling efforts started in Florida and the different programs being offered by the department.” 

Cory says the event also benefited Anheuser-Busch. “[The company] doesn’t toot their own horn,” she says. “We wanted to let people know what a great job they do with regards to recycling. They were proud to showcase their facilities.

Overall, about 30 people attended the event. Cory notes that the event could only invite a limited number of people due to the tours and the location. 

During the event, Randy Burch, director of operations for Anheuser-Busch, updated attendees on its recycling efforts. He said the company’s MCC manufactures nearly three billion aluminum cans and bottles each year for beer, sodas and energy drinks. Currently, he said the company has a 99 percent recycling rate. Additionally, he said Anheuser-Busch has a 99.8 percent recycling rate in its major U.S. breweries and has committed to having 100 percent of its packaging made from primarily recycled content or returnable by 2025. 

Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, spoke during the conference, addressing business owners, university professors and attendees from across Florida. “This event is about what we can do as citizens to protect our state instead of putting all of the responsibility on government officials,” Bradley said at the conference. “Florida wants to continue to implement educational programs to raise awareness as we work towards 100 percent sustainability.”

Truitt also announced that FDEP has a new recycling program called “Rethink. Reset. Recycle.” that assists citizens and industries in protecting Florida’s environment. Truitt reported that through FDEP’s efforts, Florida’s recycling rate has increased from 22 percent in 2011 to 52 percent in 2017.  

During the educational session at the brewery, participants heard presentations by Kim Walker and Karen Moore from FDEP; Tim Townsend from the University of Florida and the Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management; Dawn McCormick of Waste Management; and Gene Jones from Southern Waste Information eXchange (SWIX).  

Upon conclusion of the Summit, participants had an opportunity to tour the brewery to see firsthand how Anheuser-Busch recycles and reuses many of the materials used in its brewing process.

The Florida Recycling Partnership has hosted a similar Florida Recycling Summit in 2016 at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Jacksonville. Cory says this recent event was expanded to the MCC facility. She adds that the Florida Recycling Partnership plans to host similar events and workshops across the state to educate policymakers, business leaders and the general public about the benefits of recycling.