Extrusion International USA 5-2021

28 Extrusion International 5/2021 EXTRUSION INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY NEWS „ The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has granted Criti- cal Guidance Recognition to Polyplastics USA for fl exiblemulti- layered fi lm for stand-up pouches with 15.5% or less TOPAS ® cyclic ole fi n copolymer (COC), including TOPAS ® 9506F-500, TOPAS ® 8007F-600, TOPAS ® 7010F-600 and TOPAS ® 6013F-04 grades. The APR recognition demonstrates that Polyplastics’ TOPAS ® COC is compatible with polyethylene (PE) fi lm recy- cling streams. The APR recognition is based on the technical recyclability of multi-layered fi lm including COC content with PE fi lms. The fi lm meets or exceeds APR’s FPE-CG-01, Critical Guidance Pro- tocol for PE Film and Flexible Packaging, Path 1. To support the packaging industry’s movement to a circular economy, Polyplastics is aggressively developing necessary data to support industry-wide sustainability efforts. This APR recognition will allow companies to con fi dently use COC to enhance the performance of recyclable products. The new recognition follows APR’s critical guidance recognition last year for high-gloss HDPE containers with 20% cyclic ole fi n co- polymer, TOPAS ® 8007F-600, outer layer. APR Recognition for Recyclability with Polyethylene (PE) Films Earned The APR is an international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry and has taken the lead in setting standards for plastics recyclability at U.S. recyclers. The APR recognition for COC is another important develop- ment for brand owners, manufacturers, and processors who seek recycled packaging solutions, according to Paul Tatarka, market development manager for Polyplastics USA. “COC is a highly effective material option that can be used as a strategic component to meet today’s broad sustainability needs,” said Tatarka. “Discrete COC layers in a multi-layer structure can be an effective and ef fi cient design option for recyclable fl exible fi lms, particularly for stand-up pouches.” Polyplastics is working actively with leading global fi lm manu- facturers and brands to develop a range of recyclable packag- ing applications including stand-up pouches. The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) www.plasticsrecycling.org TOPAS Advanced Polymers topas.com Polyplastics Co., Ltd. www.polyplastics.com „ The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released its much-anticipated 2021 Size & Impact Report at a webinar attended by Association members, non-members within the industry, and members of the media. The 2021 report indi- cates that the U.S. plastics industry remains one of the largest sectors of the American economy and continues on a strong growth path. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a dif fi cult test for the plas- tics industry, but it has proven our durability and resilience as the data continues to demonstrate our positive impact on America’s economy,” said Tony Radoszewski, President & CEO of the Plas- tics Industry Association (PLASTICS). “We’re the 8th largest indus- try in the country and accounted for almost one million jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in shipments last year.” This year’s report indicates that the U.S. plastics industry account- ed for $394.7 billion in shipments in 2020 and 945,300 jobs.When suppliers to the U.S. plastics industry are included, the total ship- ments fi gure balloons to $541.5 billion and 1.55 million jobs. Ac- cording to themost recent data, the plastics industry is the eighth largest industry in America. “The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a thriving U.S. economy af- fectingmany industries including plastics,” said Perc Pineda, PhD, Chief Economist of PLASTICS. “This resulted in an estimated 0.9% decrease in the real value of shipments in plastics manufacturing. The marginal downtick in shipments re fl ects the capacity and commitment of the plastics industry to meet the demands of the 2021 Size & Impact Report Released manufacturing and consumer sec- tors, particularly in a stressful mac- roeconomic environment.” The annual report features ex- clusive, new data on U.S. plastics manufacturing, plastics industry employment, and the outlook for plastics domestically. This year’s re- port showed the plastics industry’s continued,multi-decade track recordof strengthwhencompared to the overall U.S. manufacturing sector. Since 1997, the U.S. plas- tics industry has outpaced all of U.S. manufacturing in terms of growth in real shipments, real value added, productivity growth, and employment. The 2021 Size & Impact Report includes state-level data and in- sights that demonstrate the industry’s geographic footprint. State highlights include Texas being home to the largest number of plastics employees with 70,500. The plastics industry is incred- ibly important for employment across the industrial Midwest. In Indiana, jobs in plastics account for 15.6 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs. Wisconsin is a close second in this regard, with 14.9 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs being in plastics, followed by Michigan and Ohio. According to the report, the outlook for the plastics industry for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022 will be linked to the global economic recovery. The global economic slowdown related to Perc Pineda, Ph.D., Chief Economist of PLASTICS