chemicals can be considered in two basic steps. The first step is to enable the recycling of plastic waste, which requires a combination of factors that span across various stages of the recycling process. The second step is to focus on the factors critical to the technology and process for large-scale upcycling of plastic waste. Step 1: Creating a steady supply of usable recycled plas- tic for the market First, some key elements needed to facilitate plastic waste recycling, which contains the first steps in creating a steady supply of usable waste plastic and maintaining a market for products made from recycling, include: • Policy and regulation: Implementing supportive policies and regulations can provide the necessary framework for plastic waste recycling. These can include setting recycling targets, implementing extended producer responsibility programmes, imposing landfill bans on recyclable plastics, or providing financial incentives to encourage recycling ini - tiatives. Initiatives to improve the ability to sort and recycle materials are also critical policy initiatives. • Education and awareness: Public education and aware- ness campaigns are crucial to promote the importance of recycling and encourage individuals to participate in recy - cling programmes. Informing people about the environ - mental impact of plastic waste and providing guidance on proper sorting and disposal of recyclable plastics can sig - nificantly increase recycling rates. Proper sorting of plastic waste is one of the biggest challenges to creating a consis - tent feedstock to produce new chemical feedstocks from the recycled materials. • Efficient collection systems: The establishment of effi - cient and accessible collection systems is essential for effective plastic waste recycling. This includes implement - ing curbside recycling programmes, setting up drop-off centres, or partnering with waste management compa - nies to ensure convenient collection points for recyclable plastics. • Segregation and sorting: Proper segregation and sorting of plastic waste are critical for efficient recycling. Advanced sorting technologies, such as optical sorting machines, can help separate different types of plastic based on their chemical composition or physical properties, facilitating the recycling process and ensuring high-quality recycled materials. • Infrastructure and facilities: The availability of recycling infrastructure and facilities is crucial for plastic waste recy - cling. This includes the establishment of recycling plants equipped with appropriate machinery, processing equip - ment, and quality control measures to efficiently process and transform plastic waste into reusable materials. • Market demand for recycled materials: Creating a strong market demand for recycled plastics is essential to drive recycling efforts. Encouraging industries to use recycled plastics in their products through incentives, regulations, or labelling requirements can stimulate demand and create a sustainable market for recycled materials. • Collaboration and partnerships: Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for successful plastic waste recycling.
teams work towards standardising processes and imple- menting best practices across the refinery. They identify and document successful approaches and develop guide - lines or standard operating procedures (SOPs) that pro- mote consistency, efficiency, and safety. • Training and skill development: Cross-functional teams recognise the importance of training and skill development to ensure that employees have the necessary competencies to achieve operational efficiency and maintain process safety. They collaborate with the human resources department to identify training needs, develop training programmes, and facilitate knowledge sharing among team members. • Performance monitoring and metrics: Cross-functional teams establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and met - rics to measure progress towards operational efficiency and process safety targets. Regular monitoring of these metrics allows teams to identify deviations, track improvements, and make data-driven decisions for further enhancements. • Change management: Cross-functional teams facilitate change management by involving stakeholders, commu - nicating the need for change, and addressing resistance. They develop change management plans, ensure proper training and support during implementation, and evaluate the effectiveness of the changes made. Change manage - ment processes are critical to ensuring a safe operating environment in a refinery. By leveraging these methods and processes, cross-func - tional teams in a refinery have proven to be more successful in achieving operational efficiency and process safety tar - gets than separate, more ‘siloed’ teams. Their collaborative approach, combined with a focus on continuous improve - ment and effective communication, drives positive results and promotes a culture of safety and efficiency throughout the organisation. Q What is needed for large-scale upcycling of plastic waste to valuable chemicals like polyethylene? A Mark Schmalfeld, Global Marketing Manager, BASF Refinery Catalysts, mark.schmalfeld@basf.com Large-scale upcycling of plastic waste into valuable Upcycling of plastic waste to valuable chemicals like poly - ethylene requires technical expertise, innovative processes, and a robust supply chain
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PTQ Q4 2024
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