The World Economic Forum has selected Richmond, Calif.-based MBA Polymers as one of its Technology Pioneers for 2006.
The forum has identified 36 companies as “developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology and health and information technology,” according to a release from the World Economic Forum and MBA Polymers. The companies’ work also has potential long-term affects on business and society.
MBA Polymers is a world leader at developing and commercializing technology to recycled mixed plastics waste streams, such as those coming from end-of-life electronics, toys, appliances and automobiles.
The company’s automated process, which it developed during the last 12 years, uses over 30 individual operations to sort mixed material streams into their constituent parts, such as ferrous metals, nonferrous metals and numerous types of plastics.
“This award is a great tribute, and I’m pleased to accept it on behalf of MBA Polymers and all of our employees, partners and investors,” Mike Biddle, CEO and founder of MBA Polymers Inc., says. “The announcement of this honor is quite timely for our company as we are in the midst of an ambitious and rapid international expansion and we believe that we are on the verge of making a very significant economic and environmental difference in the plastics world. Our contribution becomes even more significant given the rising costs of energy and the recognition that global warming is real.”
MBA is expanding overseas. In early 2004 MBA launched a majority-owned joint venture in China with Guangzhou Iron and Steel Enterprises resulting in a 40,000-ton-per-year plant in Guangzhou that opened in November. In late 2004 MBA launched a majority-owned JV in Europe with Mueller-Guttenbrunn. The 40,000-ton-per-year plant in Kematen, Austria, is expected to begin operations in early 2006.
The Technology Pioneers program was established in 2000. Each year since, World Economic Forum members, constituents and collaborators nominates Technology Pioneers. Selection criteria include innovation, potential impact, growth and sustainability, proof of concept and leadership. In addition, nominees must not currently belong to the World Economic Forum.