Extrusion International 2-2023-USA

10 Extrusion International 2/2023 INDUSTRY NEWS CHINAPLAS 2023 – Plastics Industry Intensifies Innovations Towards a Circular Economy  Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have encouraged the expansion of plastics application in a wide range of industries such as food and beverage, au- tomotive, electronics and electrical, home appliances, and healthcare. It is no surprise that the global produc- tion of plastics has reached 400 million tons each year with projected 35 billion tons produced by 2050, as an- nounced during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in November 2022. Plastic consumption – especially for single-use plastics – has cre- ated a huge challenge to our environment. The industry now spares no effort to intensify innovations towards a circular economy for sustainability development. Based on a report byWorld Bank, around 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste is being generated every year and this is expected to reach 3.5 billion tons by 2050. For the fast-growing regions of the world, such as East Asia and Pacific region, their plastic waste generations are expected to increase by 70%by 2050. It is imperative for the governments in this region to act fast. Another finding by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation claimed that the world’s oceans could contain around 937 million tons of plastic compared to 895 million tons of fish by 2050. The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020 pushed single-use plastics usage by as much as 300%. These findings have put the plastics industry at task to come up with urgent solutions to alleviate the burden to the planet – and the circular economy model has been identified as the best option. From linear to circular The plastics industry has long been applying the linear model, or “take-make-dispose” approach where plas- tics are produced, used, then disposed as waste, bring- ing challenge to waste management and environment protection. As a solution, the circular economy concept aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by ap- plying a “closed loop” system where plastics is pro- duced, used and re-used in a continuous cycle to pre- vent its leakage to the environment. This model is seen as an appropriate way to address the core of the issue, especially for single-use plastics, as redesigning how plastic products are taken, made, used and reused to minimize plastic waste. Packaging, for example, accounts for the largest seg- ment of plastic applications. Circular economy as ap - plied in packaging requires innovations in production technologies and materials to ensure that the plastic products are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. It also places responsibility to businesses engaged in plastic packaging to ensure that disposed items are collected, recycled or composted, for re-use as input in the manufacture of new product. The vision for a cir - cular economy includes reducing the need for single- use packaging and transitioning towards 100% reus- able, recyclable or compostable to alleviate the plastic waste problem. In a study done by Nanyang Techno- logical University in Singapore, it was found that reus- able plastic bags are actually more environmentally- friendly than those from paper and cotton, but only in cities and countries with efficient waste management system. Circular economy concept aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by applying a “closed loop” system, redesigning how plastic products are taken, made, used and reused The plastics industry is transitioning from a linear model to circular economy model (Photo: Pexels)