Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/212883
2 continued from page 1 RAPAC collects and processes polystyrene (PS) beads ready for pentane impregnation by NOVA Chemicals. According to NOVA, its unique resin manufacturing allows the RAPAC recycled resin and the NOVA virgin PS resin to be homogenized in the reactor prior to adding pentane, creating a highly consistent R625B resin. The R625B EPS shape molding resin is processed similar to virgin EPS resin and requires no additional equipment for EPS manufacturers. NOVA's R625B EPS boasts a low VOC content of around 4%, minimum foam density of 1.2 pcf, fast molding cycles and excellent fusion and part strength. It can be used for the same applications as a virgin EPS resin; its quality and consistency are similar to its virgin counterparts and surpass that of other EPS resins with recycled content. Applications include general-purpose packaging, coolers, wine-packs, medical/ pharmaceutical shippers and custom-shape molding. "We are excited to deliver a consistent, high-quality, next generation EPS resin with recycled content to North American shape molders. R625B is a resin that conserves natural resources and is expected to spur market development of EPS recycling," said John Thayer, Global Business Director of the EPS Business at NOVA Chemicals. Like other plastics recycling, the key to successful EPS recycling is obtaining sufficient quantities of clean material. Generally, consumer drop off programs are not able to generate adequate quantities, or quality, to support large-scale collection and reliable market demand. Because EPS packaging represents such a small portion of the residential solid waste stream, community-based recycling programs are not likely to add EPS to their list of materials for collection. Still, the EPS industry has achieved an average post-consumer recycling rate of 14% and average post industrial recycling rate of 25% for the past twenty five years, one of the highest among all plastics The 2012 EPS Recycling Rate Report shows nearly 94 million pounds of EPS was recycled. This level of recycling is extraordinary given that virtually no community-based recycling programs collect EPS from consumers for recycling. NOVA's R625B increases the availability of recycled content EPS for protective packaging while creating a demand for consumers and businesses to recycle more EPS. This 'cradle-to-cradle' product optimizes resources and addresses sustainability concerns with a practical eye toward waste elimination, reducing environmental impacts and increasing value from waste. All while bolstering packaging's primary role - to protect the product. n R625B Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) Shape Molding Resin APPLICATIONS PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS • General Purpose Packaging • Minimum Density of 1/2 pcf • Coolers & Wine Racks • 25% Recycled PS Resins • Medical/Pharmaceutical • Low Pentane Shippers • Custom Shape Molding • Fast Molding Cycles • Excellent Fusion/Part Strength NOVA Supports Community Recycling Last year NOVA Chemicals in Monaca, Pennsylvania introduced a program for its employees to recycle their EPS foam. The initiative was so successful it spurred NOVA to take their recycling efforts further by partnering with the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) to collect EPS for recycling free of charge at 2013 PRC events. Several "Hard-to-Recycle" events were held throughout western Pennsylvania that enabled hundreds of individuals to drop off unwanted EPS foam for recycling. The foam collected at the PRC events is recycled into a variety of products, including coat hangers, insulation, decorative moldings and picture frames. The summer recycling event attracted over 350 participants and collected approximately 1,300 cubic yards of polystyrene. Details on future EPS collection events can be found on the PRC website at www.prc.org. n