Extrusion International 1-2025-USA

27 Extrusion International 1/2025 Polystyrene Recycling Alliance Launches to Expand Recycling Access and Drive Higher Recycling Rates Initiative Aims for “Widely Recyclable Status” for Polystyrene The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) an- nounced the formation of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA), marking a signi cant step toward im - proving polystyrene recycling across the United States. This collaborative effort unites the polystyrene (PS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) industries together with a diverse group of stakeholders from brands, converters, and recyclers, united by a shared goal: achieving “wide- ly recyclable status” for polystyrene. “This collaboration is a huge step forward for polysty- rene sustainability, enabling more Americans to recycle a wide variety of polystyrene items,” saidMatt Seaholm, President & CEO of PLASTICS. “Polystyrene is inherently recyclable, is being recycled today, and will be recycled at much greater scale in the future. Recycling is real, and we are proud to pursue this initiative at the Plastics In- dustry Association (PLASTICS) to join the full value chain in working together to promote plastics sustainability.” In partnership with experts at Resource Recycling Sys- tems (RRS), the PSRA established a comprehensive road- map to guide this initiative. Initial data indicates that 32% of the U.S. population currently has access to re- cycle one or more polystyrene items. Several formats are on the brink of qualifying for a "check locally" recycling status. Furthermore, with ongoing and planned industry investments in recycling capacity, PSRA expects recycling access for several polystyrene formats and applications to approach “widely recyclable status” by 2030. We will work collaboratively across the value chain and invest in infrastructure and education to accelerate progress. From preserving food quality and safety to enhanc- ing pharmaceutical transportation and medical applica- tions, enabling economical appliance manufacturing and transportation, and contributing to ef cient building construction, polystyrene is integral to various industries and used across diverse sectors and applications. “Polystyrene is an essential material that provides nu- merous life-enhancing bene ts, and a favorable carbon footprint compared to other materials,” said Richard Shaw, Chair of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance. “Our focus is to expand end-of-life recycling options for all types of polystyrene through strategic investments and partnerships with other stakeholders committed to a circular plastics economy.” To support these initiatives, the PSRAwill establish a re- cycling investment and education fund aimed at expand- ing polystyrene recycling throughout North America. These investments will seek to develop and deploy inno- vative ways to enhance andmodernize recycling systems. “We’re committed to addressing the challenges of recycling polystyrene,” said Patrick Krieger, Senior Vice President, Sustainability of PLASTICS. “By collaborating with communities, material recovery facilities, and drop- off programs, we aim to signi cantly improve recycling access and education for polystyrene. This is just the be- ginning, and we are optimistic about our strategy and approach to ensure all polystyrene is recycled at scale.” To learnmore about the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance: www.PSRecycling.org. To learn more about The Roadmap to a Sustainable Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poCRMADE3Fs Supply Agreement Signed Orion announced it has signed a long-term supply agreement with Contec, which will provide Orion tire pyrolysis oil to produce circular carbon black for tire and rubber goods customers. The agreement with Warsaw, Poland-based Contec further en- ables Orion to diversify its sourc- es of tire pyrolysis oil, commonly known as TPO. “With the ConPyro ® TPO sup- plied by Contec, Orion will be able to make large-scale volumes of cir- cular grades of carbon black that will supply growing demand from the world’s leading tire and rubber goods producers,” Orion CEO Corn- ing Painter said. “This is yet another way that Orion is accelerating the transition to a circular economy.” TPO-based manufacturing is the only circular technology that is mov- ing into industrial production to produce high-quality active carbon black. The process takes discarded end-of-life tires and exposes them to high temperatures to produce a feedstock Orion can convert into virgin carbon black. Orion is the only company that has made circular carbon black from 100% TPO as a feedstock. The com- pany has also demonstrated that its circular products can replace virgin carbon black in many applications. “At Contec, sustainability is one of our core values. This partnership is a clear con rmation to the market that the industry is continuously evolving, and the circular economy is no longer just a vision for the fu- ture - thanks to collaboration with Orion, it is becoming a tangible reality today,” said Krzysztof Wró- blewski, CEO of Contec S.A. Orion S.A. orioncarbons.com