Equipment suppliers Bulk Handling Systems and NRT and Fimic SRL and the Coca-Cola Co. may appear to have little in common at first glance, but each was recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, as an innovator in plastics recycling during the 2018 APR Plastics Recycling Showcase. The showcase was part of the APR Technical Forum, which took place at Plastics Recycling 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee, in February.

The showcase, which the APR says it developed to highlight and promote industry leading innovations that have had a positive impact on plastics collection and recycling, focuses on recently commercialized innovations developed by APR member companies.

“For the third year running, this program commends innovators that address technical challenges facing plastic recyclers,” says John Standish, APR technical director. “Innovation drives the growth of recycling and is essential to the success of the plastics recycling industry.”

The 2018 APR Plastics Recycling Showcase recognized:       

• Eugene, Oregon-based Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) and its wholly owned subsidiary NRT, based in Nashville, for their Max-AI technology, a form of artificial intelligence that identifies materials, makes intelligent decisions and directs equipment such as robotic sorters (Click here for more information.);
• Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co., which collaborated with Indorama Ventures and CKS Packaging Inc. to convert its 89-ounce bottle of Simply Juice to Indorama Ventures 5507 material, an APR-recognized grade of extrudable polyethylene terephthalate (EBM PET), allowing the bottle to carry the recycle code No. 1 symbol and communicating its compatibility with the PET recycling stream (This conversion represents the first commercial application of this new grade of EBM PET designed and developed for use on shuttle extrusion blow-molding equipment.); and
• Italian company Fimic for its advances in continuous melt filtration, including the RAS and ERA continuous melt filters. 
   

“These companies exemplify the tremendous innovation happening across the packaging and equipment platforms that support the growth of plastics recycling,” says Steve Alexander, APR president. “We are grateful to this year’s innovators and look forward to working with the industry to continue promoting new technologies that provide additional pathways to sustainability.”

Showcase recipients are selected by a committee comprised of APR members representing a variety of roles within the value chain.

Visit http://plasticsrecycling.org/recognition/2018-apr-plastics-recycling-showcase for additional information about each innovation.

 

Source: recyclingtoday.com

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