Extrusion International 2-2023

22 Extrusion International 2/2023 INDUSTRY NEWS Start of Production at PET Recycling Team Targu Mures  Around 18,000 tonnes of post-consumer-recycled PET (rPET) per year – the packaging and recycling spe- cialist ALPLA, Ecohelp SRL (Romania) and United Poly- mer Trading AG (Switzerland) begin production at their joint recycling plant in Targu Mures. The three compa- nies invested around 7.5 million euros in the construc - tion and equipping of the plant on an adjacent site to the existing Ecohelp site in Targu Mures. Now, the first extrusion line for the production of high-quality rPET granulate from PET flakes has entered into operation. The joint venture partners will host the official opening ceremony on 4 May 2023. „The growing importance of local recycling processes calls for increased commitment in the region. Together with our partners, we combine strengths, increase the processing quality of the recycled PET material and en- sure the long-term supply of the southeast European market,“ says Georg Lässer, Director Business Devel- opment, Procurement and Sales Recycling at ALPLA. Expansion potential has already been identified – the plant has space for a second extrusion line, which would double capacity. The joint venture, which was established in autumn 2021, combines the skill sets of the three companies involved. ALPLA brings its many years of expertise as a global recycling specialist and packaging manufacturer, while United Polymer Trading (UPT) has an extensive distribution network for plastics and recycled material. The local company Ecohelp supplies the material in the form of recycled PET flakes based on PET bottles from household waste. The food-grade rPET granulate ob- tained from this process then serves as the starting ma- terial for new preforms and bottles. “The collaboration is a great example of how to im- prove local recycling and ensure sustainable economic development. We are filling a gap in the market for high-quality recycled material in Romania and neigh- bouring countries,” says Mihail Moloiu, General Man- ager at PET Recycling Team Targu Mures. The new recy- cling plant has created around 20 new jobs. ALPLA is investing 50 million euros a year until 2025 in the ongoing expansion of its recycling activities. With its activities for the production of high-quality recycled materials, the global company is promoting complete recycling in as many parts of the world as possible. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG www.alpla.com At the new plant, the joint venture PET Recycling Team Targu Mures run by ALPLA, Ecohelp and UPT produces recycled PET granulate based on bottles from household waste for the production of new preforms and bottles (Copyright: ALPLA) Licence Secured with Proprietary High-Pressure Technology  ECI Group has signed license and engineering agreements for process technology and engineering design with a confidential Chinese client for two lines of EVA production using ECI Group's proprietary Hybrid Technology offering. This technology is capable of pro- ducing 400kta EVA total, each line producing 200kta. The plant will be part of the client's integrated project to be located in Guangxi Province, China. ECI Group will provide the technology, design, and training for the two lines, as well as support through commissioning, start-up, and production. Repsol, the multi-energy company, as ECI Group’s partner, will provide its extensive technical, operation- al, and commercial expertise. Repsol has several LDPE, EVA, and EBA plants in its industrial complexes in Spain and Portugal and has over 40 years of experience pro- ducing award-winning polymer products in its high- pressure facilities. ECI Group's Hybrid Technology offering is unique in the industry as it allows for production of EVA and other high-value copolymers at capacities of 200 kta and high- er, which was previously only possible with tubular reac- tors. The Hybrid technology offers the higher capacities of tubular lines with the expanded product capability of autoclave lines. In addition, ECI’s various proprietary design features and enhancements contribute to the overall effectiveness of the process and result in higher production with lower operating costs. While the client declined to provide a comment cit - ing project confidentiality, they noted that they had re-