Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives (www.zeri.org) has developed a
bio-chemical process that can separate aseptic containers with a
fermentation process. The fermentation process catalyzed by enzymes
produces the separation. The fermentation process occurs at temperature
between 32 and 38 degrees F. The biochemical mixture is put in a container
at a temperature of 80 degrees F. and the packaging is introduced for 5
minutes after which the packaging is totally separated without polluting
the environment.
It seems like that would be a better approach than Alcoa's taking!
Gary
At 12:27 PM 5/18/2005, Pete Pasterz wrote:
I wonder how much electrical energy/mass of aluminum this technology
takes, compared to, say increased recovery from cans or conventional foil
currently not recycled?? What load does this add to Al's already high
life cycle costs?
>>> Jenny Gitlitz <jenny.gitlitz@no.address> 05/18/05 02:06PM >>>
From:
http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/news/news_detail.asp?pageID=20050513005361en&;
newsYear=2005
Alcoa Participates in the World's First Carton Packaging Recycling Plant
Using Innovative Plasma Technology; The Plasma Process Separates Aluminum
and Plastic, Components of the Aseptic Package
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2005--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today
that its Brazilian affiliate, Alcoa Aluminio, has joined Tetra Pak, Klabin
and TSL Ambiental to inaugurate the world's first carton packaging recycling
facility located in Piracicaba, Brazil.
The plant uses groundbreaking plasma technology, which enables the total
separation of aluminum and plastic components from the cartons. This
innovative process constitutes a significant enhancement to the current
recycling process for carton packaging, which up until now, separated paper,
but kept plastic and aluminum together. The plasma process provides another
option for recycling, allowing for the return of all three components of the
package to the productive chain as raw material.
Alcoa, which supplies thin-gauge aluminum foil to Tetra Pak for aseptic
packaging, uses the recycled aluminum to manufacture new foils.
The new plasma facility has the capacity to process 8 thousand tons per year
of plastic and aluminum, corresponding to recycling approximately 32
thousand tons of aseptic packaging. The emission of pollutants during the
recovery of the materials is minimal, handled in the absence of oxygen,
without combustion, yielding an energy efficiency rate close to 90%.
"This project synthesizes the best that sustainability can offer, in the
form of partnering, technological innovation, environmental enhancement and
social development. Alcoa is proud to participate in the roll-out of this
pioneering technology," stated Franklin Feder, president of Alcoa Latin
America. "Brazil already possesses an exemplary record of recycling aluminum
and, consequently, the country now has the potential to become a global
paradigm as well in the recovery and reuse of aseptic carton packages,"
Feder said.
How Plasma Technology Works
The application of plasma technology for the recycling of carton packaging
employs electrical energy to produce a jet of plasma at 15 thousand degrees
Celsius to heat the plastic and aluminum mixture. With this process, plastic
is transformed into paraffin and the aluminum is recovered in the form of
high-purity ingot. Alcoa will then use the recycled aluminum to manufacture
new foil. Paraffin is sold to the Brazilian petrochemical industry. The
paper, extracted during the first phase of the recycling process is
transformed into cardboard by Klabin. TSL Ambiental, responsible for the
technology development of thermal plasma, is responsible for operating this
new facility.
Background of the Partnership
The plasma project began in Brazil seven years ago when the former Plasma
Group of the IPT (Institute of Technological Research of the University of
Sao Paulo -USP) began exploring the development of processes and
technologies that could handle industrial residues enabling the reuse of the
valuable metals and materials. The use of plasma technology for the
processing of plastic and aluminum in the carton packages was successful and
formed the basis of the partnership between the four companies for the
creation of the recycling plant.
About the Companies
Alcoa Aluminio S.A was founded 40 years ago in Brazil and it is a subsidiary
of Alcoa Inc., a world leader in aluminum production and technology. Alcoa
serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction,
commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design,
engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to
customers. Alcoa, through its Alcoa Recycling Company, has collected and
recycled more than 300 billion aluminum cans around the world. Our efforts
reduce the need for landfill space and save significant energy by producing
aluminum from recycled cans. This recycling process requires 95 percent less
energy than when producing can sheet material from bauxite ore. About
two-thirds of aluminum ever produced -- 440 million tons of a total 680
million tons manufactured since 1886 -- is still in use. Alcoa has 131,000
employees in 43 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial
Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001.
Additional information can be found at: www.alcoa.com.br
Klabin is the biggest paper manufacturer and exporter in Brazil. The company
was founded 106 years ago, and has 18 plants (17 in Brazil and 1 in
Argentina) and it is the leader in the production of papers, cardboards for
packaging, corrugated cardboard boxes, industrial bags and timber.
Additional information on the site www.klabin.com.br
Tetra Pak is an organization that operates in over 165 countries, producing
integrated systems for processing, bottling, distribution and cardboard
packaging for food such as milk and dairy products, juices, coconut water,
teas, tomato by-products, creams, sauces and others. The company started in
Brazil in 1957, where it generates over 1,000 direct jobs and maintains two
plants, in the city of Monte Mor (SP) and Ponta Grossa (PR). It has 53
packaging plants around the world and 16 packaging machinery plants. In
2004, over 60 billion liters of products were bottled around the world in
Tetra Pak packaging and 110 billion packaging units were delivered. For
additional information: www.tetrapak.com.br
TSL Engenharia Ambiental is an engineering company that focuses on
sustainable and development activities. With agents in countries such as The
Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, United States and China, the company is a
reference in introducing solutions for the treatment of solid residues and
effluents, as well as complementary maintenance and development of leading
edge technologies for environmental preservation. The company, headquartered
in Sao Paulo, has a staff of 300 employees distributed in their commercial
units and works in the states of Amazonas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
e Sergipe. For additional information, please visit: www.tslambiental.com.br
--Jenny
Jennifer Gitlitz
Research Director, Container Recycling Institute
Home Office:
2 Pomeroy Ave.
Dalton, MA 01226
Tel. (413) 684-4746
Mobile: (413) 822-0115
Fax: (413) 403-0233
Email: jgitlitz@no.address
Please note the new address for CRI?s main office:
Container Recycling Institute
1601 North Kent St., Suite 803
Arlington, VA 22209-2105
Tel. (703) 276-9800
Fax: (703) 276-9587
www.container-recycling.org
www.bottlebill.org
Gary Liss
916-652-7850
Fax: 916-652-0485
www.garyliss.com
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