Entropex Receives Funding to Develop Mixed Plastics Project

Entropex, an Ontario, Canada-based plastics recycling company, is one 16 companies to receive funding from the federally-funded Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), which is tasked with growing innovative technologies in Canada. The company is ninth largest post-consumer plastics processor in North America.

It is estimated that exempting PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic and HDPE (high-density polyethylene), Canada generates around 345,000 metric tons of residential plastics per year. Much of this plastic generated is landfilled due to contamination and commingling. To solve the waste problem, Entropex says it will use the SDTC funds to demonstrate an innovative mixed rigid plastic processing plant using near-infrared light to differentiate plastic types along with enhanced washing technology.

The company has been involved in researching the project for nearly three years. The demonstration project is targeting mixed rigid plastics, one through seven, that are not bottles. Products such as HDPE for milk jugs and PET used for soft drink bottles will not be included in the demonstration project.

The goal of the project is to sort and blend the plastics to produce various streams of plastic resins that can be used by consumer products companies.

Keith Bechard, president of Entropex, says the demonstration project is expected to create 60 new jobs, doubling the workforce over the next 24 months at the company's plastic recycling facility in Sarnia.

The demonstration project will be conducted at the company’s Sarnia, Ontario, facility.