Newsworthy

> METALS

LME Sees Record Volumes in September
The London Metal Exchange (LME) experienced record volumes in September 2012, with 14.09 million lots traded. A transaction lot, or amount, can vary in size from 1 tonne to 65 tonnes, according to the LME.

Average daily volume in September was up 8.5% from September 2011. At the September 2012 pace, more than 630,000 lots were traded per day.

Through the end of September 2012, 119.1 million lots have been traded, “the equivalent of $10.9 trillion in notional turnover, which is up 11% (to 107.0 million lots) from the corresponding period last year,” the LME says in a news release.

The LME’s previous monthly record was set in September 2011, with 13.97 million lots traded.

The LME describes itself as “the world center for industrial metals trading.” Participants can trade aluminium, copper, tin, nickel, zinc, lead, molybdenum, cobalt and steel billet.

> PAPER

Nippon Paper to Build Paper Recycling Plant in Australia Australian
Paper has announced that its parent company, Nippon Paper, has approved the construction of a AU$90 million (US$93.4 million) paper recycling plant at its Maryvale Mill in Victoria, Australia. The plant will consume an estimated 80,000 tonnes of recovered fibre per year to produce 50,000 tonnes of deinked pulp.

“Australian Paper is delighted to confirm this important investment in sustainable manufacturing following an extensive feasibility study,” says Jim Henneberry, CEO of Australian Paper. “The Maryvale recycling plant will secure Australian Paper’s position as the market leader in premium recycled paper and is a positive initiative for our local environment, jobs and the community.”

The new plant will triple Australian Paper’s use of recycled fibre and will enable the development of a range of new Australian-made recycled office, printing, envelope and stationery papers, according to the company. Construction on the plant will begin shortly, with production to commence in early 2014.

Henneberry adds, “We are proud of this investment in sustainable Victorian manufacturing and would like to acknowledge the strong support we have received from a broad range of stakeholders including our customers, unions, the Latrobe City Council, environmental groups and a range of business and community stakeholders. In particular, we thank the State and Commonwealth Governments and Low Carbon Australia for their support and for sharing our vision to make this investment possible.”

Australian Paper says an economic impact report, prepared by Western Research Institute, calculates that the company’s total operations supported approximately 6,000 jobs and contributed more than AU$750 million to the Australian economy in 2011.

> CONFERENCES

Recycling Today Media Group Launches Middle East Metals Recycling Conference
Media Fusion and the Recycling Today Media Group have selected Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as the host city for the first Metals Recycling Conference Middle East, to take place 5-7 March, 2013.

The event will be at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dubai. It is being organized by Dubai-based Media Fusion, the publisher of Waste & Recycling Middle East magazine, and the United States-based Recycling Today Media Group, the publisher of Recycling Today and Recycling Today Global Edition.

“We’re thrilled to cooperate with the team at Waste & Recycling Middle East to offer an event for the active metals recycling and trading community in the Middle East,” comments Jim Keefe, Recycling Today Media Group publisher. “The Middle East and adjacent regions have become a vital part of the global scrap trading and metals production industries.”

The conference will offer sessions on global commodity markets for nonferrous and ferrous scrap; customs and regulatory issues; and processing methods and techniques.

The two media organizations also collaborate on Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference – Middle East, which enjoyed a successful debut in February 2012.

More information is available at www.metalsrecyclingme.com.

> PAPER

UK Paper Industry Calls for Change in Manufacturing Policy
The U.K.-based Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) has released a statement expressing concern over government policies and initiatives that it says may have a negative impact on the paper industry in the U.K.

David Workman, CPI director general, states that the paper industry includes 50 paper and paperboard mills and accounts for 25,000 jobs in the U.K.

Highlighting the industry’s environmental efforts, Workman says the industry has reduced its energy consumption and carbon emissions by more than 30% since 1990 and has invested more than £10 billion (US$16.2 billion) in equipment and combined heat and power and on-site biomass plants. Meanwhile the paper recycling rate in the U.K. stands at 73%.

CPI adds that, despite these successes, government policy is acting as a disincentive to further investment and could result in the closure of many mills over the next decade. Potentially the most damaging of the policies, CPI says, is the Carbon Price Floor, which comes into effect in 2013. At £16 per metric ton, it could cost the paper industry more than twice the amount paid by EU competitors. CPI calls for the U.K. government to abandon implementation of the tax.

CPI also finds fault with the new climate change agreements (CCAs) coming into force next year.

> PLASTICS

Enval Announces Location for Inaugural Plant
Enval, a Cambridge, U.K.-based recycling technology firm, has announced the location for its first commercial-scale recycling plant. The new facility has been designed to recycle laminated plastic and aluminium packaging and will be located at the recently designated enterprise zone in Alconbury, U.K.

The new plant will be used to showcase Enval’s process, according to the company.

Stakeholders include Nestlé, Kraft Foods Group and Mondelez International.

Enval says its backers reflect the potential the company’s technology has demonstrated for improving the recyclability of flexible laminates. The site will feature a fully operational, continuous process plant based on Enval’s microwave-induced pyrolysis system for recovering valuable materials from foil-containing flexible packaging.

Enval says it plans to use the plant to demonstrate the new technology at full commercial scale to other potential users working in the recycling industry in the expectation that the company will build similar plants.

The company says its technology offers a financially attractive and genuine recycling route for plastic/aluminium laminate packaging. The Enval technology separates laminate packaging material into its constituent components, producing clean aluminium for the secondary aluminium supply chain and hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel or chemical feedstock.

Enval was formed as a spin-off from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

> ELECTRONICS

European Commission Takes Sweden to Court
The European Commission (EC) has announced that it is taking Sweden to the European Union (EU) Court of Justice for failing to properly transpose EU legislation on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

The EC, based in Brussels, has expressed concern about the shortcomings in the Swedish transposition of the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment into national legislation. On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, the EC says it is referring the case to the EU Court of Justice.

Commissioner Potocnik says, “E-waste is a crucial resource for Europe’s future. That’s why we need strong legislation in this area, and we need it to apply throughout the union.” He adds, “It’s the foundation for a promising industry where Europe can lead the way.”

The EC initiated an infringement procedure against Sweden in 2007 for what the EC says is its failure to properly transpose a number of provisions in the WEEE Directive, including Annex III of the directive, which sets the technical requirements for sites storing and treating WEEE.

The EC says electronic scrap is often toxic, and careful storage in impermeable, weatherproof sites is important to prevent potential leaks.

Sweden was sent a Reasoned Opinion on the matter in June 2009. Swedish authorities replied, saying they would amend their national legislation to properly reflect the requirements specified in Annex III, adding that the amended legislation would enter into force on 1 Jan., 2010.

The European Commission says that as it has not been notified of the amended legislation, it considers Annex III incorrectly transposed.

> KERBSIDE

Sainsbury’s Chooses Palm Recycling to Manage Customer Recycling Centers
The U.K. supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has partnered with Palm Recycling, Cheshire, U.K., along with the charity organization Oxfam and consultant Valpak, to introduce a new system to enhance recycling rates, reduce local authority costs and offer a more aesthetically pleasing and customer-friendly facility. Palm Recycling says the new system also allows councils to fulfill their waste reporting obligations.

According to Palm Recycling, it could add as many as 350 sites throughout the U.K. Currently, the new facilities are in roughly 20 supermarkets in the Greater London area.

Palm Recycling will manage the front-of-store recycling service, which comprises standardized recycling containers for mixed paper and paperboard, mixed glass, mixed plastics, steel and aluminium cans, textiles and small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The containers will carry the Recycle Now logo and color coding to help customers select the correct container.

Mandy Kelly, Palm Recycling business development director, says, “The enhanced recycling facilities will offer a greater sense of convenience to Sainsbury’s customers and also deliver potential cost efficiencies for local authorities.”

According to Palm Recycling, the redesigned facilities will offer a more consistent and comprehensive service, making it easier for customers to recycle their household materials, and will complement existing kerbside collections.

> PLASTICS

EuCertPlast Names European Auditors
The EuCertPlast Consortium, a three-year project aimed at creating a European certification for post-consumer plastics recyclers, has announced the accreditation of the first 24 auditors covering 14 European countries.

EuCertPlast has been financed by the European Commission under the Eco-Innovation Programme.

The accreditation procedure has been achieved in three phases. Under the first phase, auditors have been selected according to the requirements foreseen by the EuCertPlast Consortium. The second phase had auditors being trained to be fully up to date with EuCertPlast’s audit.

Finally, an independent international accreditation body (DNV) ran an exam to assure that the auditors have the required knowledge to run a proper EuCertPlast Audit.

The process is needed to assure a standardized and high level of quality for audits across Europe. Additional accreditations will be planned in the near future to fulfill the request of new auditors for Europe and ensure quality recycling of plastics takes place.

All plastics recyclers wishing to get an EuCertPlast audit can now contact one of the accredited auditors listed on the EuCertPlast website.

EuCertPlast says it aims to accredit plastics recyclers that comply with quality standards.

> METALS

Stena Recycling Reorganizes Operations
Stena Metall Group, based in Sweden, has announced that its Stena Recycling division has formed a joint venture called Stena Recycling International AB, which seeks to unite the company’s activities in five geographic markets. The company says the move is a natural step in the evolution of its recycling operations.

Leif Gustafsson, previously CEO of Stena Recycling in Sweden, will serve as CEO of the newly created venture in addition to serving as business area manager for Stena Recycling.

Stena Recycling has 180 facilities throughout Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Poland.

Gustafsson says, “Stena will continue leading the development of the best recycling solutions in terms of service, profitability, environmental issues and safety for our customers. Now we’ve become an even stronger player in the international arena.”

He adds, “We are strongly anchored locally while being one of northern Europe’s leading recyclers. With the new company, we will be even better at using our common resources across international borders. By taking advantage of our strengths in different markets, we can increase efficiency and provide even better services to our customers.”

To support the newly organized operation, Stena Recycling International AB also has announced a number of management changes. More information on these personnel changes can be found on the Recycling Today website at www.RecyclingToday.com/stena-recycling-joint-venture.aspx.

> ELECTRONICS

CEEA Names Li Tong Exclusive Recycler of Mobile Phones in China
Li Tong Enviro Tech Co. Ltd. of Jiangmen, China, a wholly owned subsidiary of Li Tong Group, a Hong Kong-based electronics recycling company, has been appointed by the China Electronics Enterprises Association (CEEA) as the sole official recycler of end-of-life mobile phones throughout China.

The company, designated as the pilot company for the Comprehensive Use of Used Mobile Phones Scheme, which has been endorsed by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and CEEA, has been commissioned to develop, implement and manage a reverse supply chain to recycle discarded handsets in China. The scheme is part of its strategy to update the current reverse supply chain infrastructure and achieve a recycling target of 95% by 2015 under China’s 12th five-year plan.

Li Tong’s Jiangmen, China, plant will be the base of treatment. The facility is roughly 20,000 square metres and houses advanced scrap processing technologies. Li Tong says the plant will be able to handle 30,000 tonnes of electronic scrap per year and is designed to the highest environmental, health and safety (EHS) standards.

According to a news release from the company, Li Tong will provide a range of services for the mobile phones, including collection, data wiping, value sorting, harvesting of the components, disassembling, shredding and recycling.

> CONFERENCES

13th International Automobile Recycling Congress Planned for March 2013 in Brussels
The 13th International Automobile Recycling Congress (IARC) 2013 organized by ICM AG will be held from 13-15 March, 2013, in the Hotel Dolce la Hulpe Brussels in Brussels.

Delegates from industry, authorities and academia will discuss and present news and challenges of the manufacturing and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) business. The congress will bring together the various links in the ELV recycling chain, such as car manufacturers, metal and plastic scrap traders, recyclers, shredder operators and policy makers from around the world.

Sessions will focus on closing the recycling loop, new technologies, laws and regulations, exports and more.

A large exhibition area where vendors and clients can meet is integrated into the conference facilities. Cocktail receptions and a networking dinner are also part of the program, according to show organizers.

The congress also is offering plant tours to leading recycling companies and automobile manufacturers in the vicinity of Brussels.

More information on IARC 2013 is available by contacting ICM AG, International Congress & Marketing, based in Birrwil, Switzerland, at info@icm.ch or by phone at +41-62-785-10-00.

> PLASTICS

Joint Venture Plans to Boost European PET Bottle Recycling
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), based in the United States, has announced plans to invest ¤6.5 million (US$8.4 million) in a joint venture with French packaging company APPE, a division of the Spanish firm LSB.

According to a CCE, the investment is designed to allow APPE’s PET (polyethylene terephthalate) facility in Beaune, France, to boost production of recycled-content PET by up to 70%, from 28,000 tonnes to 48,000 tonnes per year.

The joint venture also involves research and development into what CCE calls advanced recycling technologies that can be used at the recycling facility. Combined, the two companies are investing ¤9 million (US$11.6 million) on the project, which includes the installation of a new SSP (solid-state polycondensation) tower at the Beaune plant. The tower, supplied by Switzerland’s Bühler Group, offers “advanced recycling technology with a smaller footprint than existing equipment,” according to CCE, and will enable APPE and CCE to test new recycling techniques.

APPE also invested ¤10 million in new equipment in 2010, which took the site up to its currently capacity.

Martin Hargreaves, APPE general manager, says his company is pleased to be partnering with CCE on this initiative.

“We have always emphasized the importance of both end-market support and long-term investment to fully realize the potential of PET recycling,” Hargreaves observes. “It is hugely encouraging that CCE has the same vision and commitment and is keen to play such a pivotal role in helping to assure the successful long-term future of recycled PET.”

> CONFERENCES

IFAT India Gains Support
Conference organizer Messe München International says the IFAT India event, taking place 24-26 Oct., 2013, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Mumbai, is gaining additional allies.

“Local and international trade associations are giving strong support to the premiere of IFAT India,” according to Messe München.

The National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI) is among the groups taking part.

“I know IFAT Entsorga in Munich very well and I am sure that IFAT India will also establish itself as a successful event,” says Dr. Amiya Kumar Sahu, president of the NSWAI.

Armin Vogel, chairman of German Recycling Technologies and Waste Management Partnership Association e.V. (RETech), says, “The Indian environmental market needs holistic solutions, and IFAT India covers all the sectors relevant to that market. This makes it the ideal trade show for environmental solutions.”

Messe München International says registration documents for IFAT India can be downloaded from the show’s website at www.ifat-india.com.

Messe München International says it anticipates that IFAT India will attract some 100 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors to an exhibit hall that may use up as much as 6,000 square metres (64,000 square feet) of space.

> PLASTICS

MBA Polymers Hires Supply Chain Manager
David Smith has been appointed commercial supply chain manager for MBA Polymers, a multinational plastics recycling company based in Richmond, Calif. He will work from MBA’s U.K. headquarters in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Smith joins MBA Polymers from Exxon Mobil, where he held a number of roles in operations and led cultural and technology changes to improve global effectiveness, collaboration and business processes.