Packaging firm Zume uses ABB robotics to automate production of bio-based compostable takeout containers.

Switzerland-based ABB Robotics says it has signed an agreement to collaborate with California-based packaging maker Zume to supply robotic cells designed to boost Zume’s production of what Zume calls 100 percent compostable packaging “made from plant-based agricultural material.”

“ABB robots will automate production, enabling the scale and speed required to make Zume’s packaging a cost-effective alternative to single-use plastics,” state the two companies in a joint press release.

ABB says it will integrate and install more than 1,000 molded fiber manufacturing cells (MFCs)—including up to 2,000 robots—at Zume customers’ sites worldwide over the next five years. At full scale, the plan has “the potential to produce millions of pieces of sustainable packaging annually,” say the companies.

Zume says its packaging material is made from sustainably harvested plant material left over from agricultural production, including bamboo, wheat and straw. “Unlike plastic, plant-based material is 100 percent biodegradable and simply breaks down after use,” say the two companies, who do not mention the mechanical recycling potential of the material.

“Automating production of Zume’s sustainable packaging with ABB robots makes this a viable and economic alternative to single-use plastics,” says Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation. “Our collaboration showcases what is possible when organizations that are committed to pursuing a low-carbon society work together.”

Zume says its “patented and innovative” manufacturing process can produce compostable packaging for anything from food and groceries to cosmetics and consumer goods. Containers are molded from the plant material by Zume’s molded fiber cells integrated with two ABB IRB 6700 robots, with each cell processing up to two tons of agriculture material every day, creating up to 80,000 pieces of packaging.

Working with ABB, Zume says it expects to equip factories with up to 100 robotic cells each. With the automation, speed and scalability provided by the MFC, each site would have the potential to process 71,000 tons of agriculture material annually, potentially producing up to 2 billion pieces of packaging each year.

“Using ABB’s global automation experts to develop and integrate automation solutions for our customers will revolutionize packaging and demonstrate what sustainable manufacturing can look like,” says Alex Garden, chair and CEO of Zume. “This means we can offer a viable, cost-effective, compostable alternative to plastic, and help manufacturers to become more environmentally friendly.”

A pilot project has been installed by Zume and ABB Robotics at Satia Industries Limited, which the two firms describe as one of India’s largest wood and agro-based paper manufacturers. That project involves 50 manufacturing cells that will process 100 tons of wheat straw daily, creating 100 percent compostable packaging for a range of industries.

“Our work with Zume and ABB enables Satia Industries to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients for high-performing, affordable and reliable products that are sustainably manufactured and easily composted,” says Dr. Ajay Satia, chief managing director of Satia Industries. “Besides adding significant value to the company, we are able to support the planet by providing sustainable solutions to help our customers transition to more modern, reliable and customized products compared to those they use today.”

Another planned pilot installation in India will take place in cooperation with pulp and paper producer Parason. A third pilot is being planned in Texas with Lufkin, Texas-based Jefferson Enterprise Energy.

The company plans to use the money to expand its operations and strengthen its market position.

Pyrowave, a plastics recycler based in Montreal, has received $7 million in financial support through Quebec’s ESSOR Program, administered by Investissement Québec. The support will help Pyrowave expand its pilot plant and its Centre of Excellence in Microwave Technologies in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, hiring staff and developing its patented technologies.

“We are proud that the government recognizes and supports the new generation of companies at the source of green growth in Quebec, specifically in the circular economy of plastics, a global issue that provides international growth opportunities,” says Jocelyn Doucet, CEO of Pyrowave. “Through talents, technological know-how and geographic positioning, Quebec is a strategic location to support our growth and development.”

According to a news release from Pyrowave, the purpose of the ESSOR program is to accelerate the growth of Quebec companies in a circular economy. The company attributes the program’s investment to a series of projects it recently announced, such as a joint development agreement with Michelin, Clermont Ferrand, France. 

The company says the loan will support a team of researchers in addition to attracting and retaining employees. As part of this financing, Pyrowave also will repatriate its head office to Quebec to consolidate its operations.

“In the context of economic recovery and the fight against climate change, businesses must innovate and focus on the circular economy to be competitive,” says Pierre Fitzgibbon, minister of the economy and innovation for the National Assembly of Quebec. “The recycling technology of certain plastics developed by Pyrowave has a tremendous potential to reduce Quebec’s environmental footprint and promote our know-how internationally.”

Pyrowave says its technology platform uses microwaves to manufacture chemicals efficiently and with a lower carbon release than traditional processes because it uses electricity. This reduces the environmental impact of products and reduces the waste generated by traditional processes.

By continuing its development within its Microwave Technology Centre of Excellence, Pyrowave says its technology can become a platform for the next generation of sustainable processes through a portfolio of patents, contributing to a lower carbon manufacturing industry.

Investment from Riverstone Credit Partners will help the company build a widespread footprint of plants that produce postconsumer resin.

Circulus Holdings, a Houston-based plastics recycling company, announced it closed on a $100 million “green loan” with New York-based Riverstone Credit Partners, an investment platform focused on energy, power, decarbonization and infrastructure.

Circulus says it will use the financing to expand its plants that incorporate advanced technologies with a multistep mechanical process to transform lower grade plastic into postconsumer resin (PCR). The company says its products address sustainability challenges with flexible plastics. It also improves the use of PCR for plastic bags, shrink film and pouches.

“We are excited at the opportunity to partner with Riverstone,” says David Hudson, founder and CEO of Circulus. “The partnership enables Circulus to rapidly develop a broad network of facilities and further the company’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing. We look forward to supporting green-based jobs and preserving our environment for future generations.” 

According to a news release from Circulus, the green loan was structured in compliance with New York-based Loan Syndications and Trading Association’s Green Loan Principles. The principles aim to facilitate and support environmentally sustainable economic activity by financing eligible projects. 

“We are pleased to partner with Circulus and further expand our portfolio of credit investments in green projects and sustainable companies,” says Daniel Flannery, a managing director at Riverstone. “We believe that a strong commitment to managing ESG factors such as natural resource management, health and safety, community and stakeholder impact, climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, among other issues is critical to the success of our portfolio companies, funds and firms. Circulus is aligned with this strategy by meeting the insatiable demand for high-quality PCR while meaningfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin resin production.”

Guggenheim Securities LLC and White & Case LLP acted as sole financial adviser and legal adviser to Circulus. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal adviser to Riverstone Credit Partners.

The recognitions are part of the EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal Program.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program has recognized 14 partners for their achievements in appliance recycling. The companies received awards for program achievements as part of the annual RAD Partner Meeting Nov. 17.

The RAD Leadership Award winners were honored in three categories: the RAD Champion Award, the RAD Program Growth Award and the RAD Ambassador Award.

The EPA's RAD Champion Award recognizes the RAD partners with the highest rates of appliance foam recovery. The recipients of the award this year recovered foam in 100 percent of the units collected in 2020. The recipients include:

The RAD Program Growth Award recognizes the top three RAD partners with the best annual increase in units processed. This year’s recipients include:

The RAD Ambassador Award was presented to Sacramento Municipal Utility District Sacramento, California. The EPA says the organization has developed novel appliance recycling program models, including a new approach that recovers and recycles units taken to landfills and explored a partnership with local retailers. 

According to a news release from the EPA, in addition to preventing nearly 1.5 billion pounds of metal, plastic and glass from entering landfills since 2006, RAD partners have achieved a reduction of 39.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“Even after 15 years, our RAD partners continue to go above and beyond when it comes to appliance recycling,” says Joe Goffman, principal deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “Their successful efforts to recycle foams and reduce the number of durable goods sent to landfills is having a positive impact on our environment, and we congratulate these RAD Leadership Award Winners on their achievements.” 

The EPA says that partners in the RAD program commit to collecting and disposing of old refrigerated appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, window air conditioners and dehumidifiers using best environmental practices. 

In addition to complying with laws on the recovery of refrigerant, used oil, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, the EPA says RAD Partners commit to recovering appliance insulation foam, which can contain greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting chemicals.

Partners also promote the recycling of all durable goods and the permanent retirement of old, inefficient appliances from energy grids to help save energy. As a result of their commitments, RAD partners have achieved significant environmental benefits since RAD first launched in 2006, recycling more than 9.3 million refrigerated appliances and reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances by 1,989 ozone-depletion potential-weighted tons.

Learn more about the RAD Program and its awards here.

The association says the bill does not solve the worker shortage crisis or supply chain issues as it’s currently drafted.

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, joined with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other associations in a letter Nov. 19  urging Congress to address the headwinds they believe are hurting economic growth in the U.S. Specifically, the group says the Build Back Better reconciliation bill does not solve the problems facing the country’s workforce or ongoing supply issues but instead promotes policies that will worsen each of these.

“We call on Congress to work together to solve these massive challenges facing our business community,” says Darrell Smith, NWRA president and CEO. “The proposed tax increases and anti-energy provisions in the bill will harm the recovery and make it more difficult for America’s businesses to compete globally. We call upon Congress to oppose the reconciliation bill as currently drafted.” 

Despite NWRA’s objections, the House passed the bill Nov. 19. The bill, which has been met with almost universal Republican opposition, faces a significant hurdle to pass in the Senate.

The association says the proposed legislation would also overturn about 90 years of labor law and tilt the playing field in favor of unions by threatening employers of all sizes with civil penalties. Due to other budget plans in the bill, the cost of the proposed bill is significantly higher than the nearly $2 trillion price tag advertised.