Extrusion International 2-2024-USA

26 Extrusion International 2/2024 26 INDUSTRY NEWS 2nd Annual Bioplastics Twin Screw Extrusion Workshop June 11-12, 2024 ,Charlotte, NC., USA It’s a workshop, not a conference. A unique facet of this program is that classroom sessions are supplement- ed by interactive "hands-on" extrusion demonstrations, as well as screw assembly, equipment cleaning and maintenance procedures. Day 1– classroom session A partial list of topics, tailored to processing bioplas- tics, is as follows: - Co-rotating and counterrotating twin screw extrusion technology - Techniques for dispersive and/or distributive mixing (with minimization of heat/shear) - Sequencing of multi-stage process operations - Devolatilization process techniques and practices - Scale-up of the twin screw extrusion process - Feeders and material handling for pellets, powders and liquids - Gear pumps and screen changers - Pelletizing: strand cut, water ring, and underwater - Direct extrusion for sheet, film, fibers and profiles - Reactive processing, Foaming of bioplastics, Coextrusion and lamination - Process troubleshooting - Twin screw extruder maintenance tips and procedures In addition to Leistritz Extrusion, speakers from indus- try and academia will contribute to the program. Day 2 – Hands-on session at The Polymers Center fa- cilities - Co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruders - Devolatilization via extrusion: ambient, vacuum assist, multi-stage venting - Feeding of pellets, powders, liquids and fibers - Downstream addition of fillers and fibers in the twin screw process section - Assembly, disassembly and cleaning twin screw elements - Maintenance for screws, shafts and barrels https://leistritz.technical-content.com/ bioplastics-workshop/ Demand for Recyclability Driving US Beverage Manufacturers to Switch to rPET Bottles There is a growing demand for products packaged in recyclable packaging among consumers, es- pecially in developed economies. Considering this, beverage manu- facturers in the US are increasingly shifting from polyethylene tere- phthalate (PET) to recycled polyeth- ylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles to help lower carbon emissions and advance the circular economy, says GlobalData, a leading data and ana- lytics company. Mani Bhushan Shukla, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US has laid out ambitious tar- gets to establish a circular econo- my. In 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced its National Recycling Goal to increase the national recycling rate to 50% by 2030. Transitioning from virgin PET plastic to rPET packaging is the only viable option for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to honor their sustainability commit- ments." To achieve their packaging tar- gets, beverage manufacturers are striving to embrace rPET bottles and enhance the sustainability of their packaging range. Major soft drinks producers, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Asahi have already adopted 100% rPET bottles for their popular brands. In March 2024, Califia Farms also launched 100% rPET bottles in the US. Shukla continues: “Beverage manufacturers are incentivized by the growing consumer interest in sustainable packaging. Recyclabil- ity has become a key factor that consumers are actively looking for when making product purchases. This aligns with GlobalData’s 2023 Q4 consumer survey findings, wherein 62% of consumers in the US stated that recyclable packag- ing claims were a nice-to-have fac- tor or essential/key driver of their product purchases*.” Shukla concludes: “As companies face increasing pressure from the government, environmental lobby groups, and eco-conscious Gen Z and Gen Y consumers, they will have to adopt rPET on a wider scale. This will be imperative to attract and re- tain consumers in the long term.” * GlobalData Q4 2023 Consumer Survey – US, with 506 respondents, published in December 2023 GlobalData Media Centre www.gobaldata.com