#Recycling / Circular Economy

2023-05-11

Sabic and global chemical companies sign agreement with TNO for R&D hub for plastic waste processing

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, together with BASF, Covestro, Dow, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical, SABIC and Solvay have signed the agreement with renowned Dutch innovation organisation, TNO, which will host the new Hub and execute the R&D projects. The first set of projects is set to launch in the second half of 2023.

As a private sector driven initiative, the R&D Hub projects are aimed at making significant strides towards more sustainable plastic waste processing and help address industry-specific topics related to the development of mechanical and chemical recycling routes.

"With the launch of its first project, the LCET has demonstrated its role as an 'incubator' for collaborative action to accelerate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in the chemical production value chain," said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of SABIC and LCET Co-Chair. "Improving recycling rates can significantly contribute to our progress toward a circular carbon economy, and by bringing together the knowledge and expertise of our companies, we can find new ways to drive net-zero solutions".

Martin Brudermueller, LCET Chair and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, said: "Finding solutions to protect our climate is a global, societal task that will only succeed if we all contribute with our best ideas. Launching the first spin-off project out of the LCET initiative is a significant achievement and milestone for all the member companies. This enables us to develop breakthrough technologies while sharing early-stage risks. Bringing together seven leaders operating in the same marketplace demonstrates the collaborative spirit in the LCET-initiative that transforms ambition into action."

TNO will lead the technology development, Henk-Jan Vink, Managing Director at TNO adds: "We are very proud to be selected as the host and orchestrator of this great initiative. This unique co-creation between the LCET members, our experts and innovation partners will result in practical and disruptive technology solutions to allow increased levels of circular plastics with a lower environmental footprint. TNO is confident to further build on its experience in the field of circular modelling, packaging and materials know-how and provide the industry with fit-for-use solutions."

The R&D Hub is the first project to be launched out of the LCET initiative, with further projects in the development stage for 2023.

Managed workwear services are providing a blueprint for the circular textile economy

Managed workwear service providers are demonstrating how commercial success and circularity can go hand in hand by extending garment lifespans through repair, laundering, reuse and recycling, according to “Managed workwear services—a circular textile economy ahead of the game”, a new 14‑page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

Usha Yarns secures growth equity investment from Fullerton Carbon Action Fund

Usha Yarns Limited (“Usha Yarns”), a producer of high-quality recycled yarns with advanced, well established production processes, announced a growth equity investment from the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (“Fullerton”), a private equity strategy managed by Fullerton Fund Management that backs established mid-market companies across Emerging Asia to accelerate decarbonisation.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.