Advanced recycling has become the topic de jour in the plastics and packaging industry—so much so that several conference events have sprung up to bring industry stakeholders together to explore the topic. One of them, the Advanced Recycling Summit, produced by Smithers, took place in September in Akron, Ohio, primarily targeting chemical companies but providing brand owners with a look at the challenges and opportunities presented by the technology. In opening the event, Dr. James A. Popio, VP Materials Science and Engineering Division, Smithers, noted that the growth of the conference—from 60 attendees in 2023 to 120 this year—is evidence of the increased momentum behind the technology.
While the range of advanced recycling technologies may vary widely, one thing the conference made clear is that there are many commonalities. Among them are challenges in sourcing feedstock and gaining market acceptance as well as the potential impact of global, federal, and local packaging regulations—challenges that are not unlike those faced by traditional mechanical recycling systems.
