Plastics Recycling Update Magazine: NewsBits

## NewsBits


D-20, the **ASTM** group involved in plastics, is currently **voting on new testing and definitions for plastics with degradable additives** labeled "landfill biodegradable." The Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers is concerned that the new definitions and testing requirements are not rigorous enough and is urging any ASTM D-20 members eligible to vote on the move to cast their ballots against the proposal. Voting ends July 21. More information is available [here][1].

**The American Chemistry Council** has released [_The Resin Review_][2], an "authoritative resource for comprehensive statistical measurements of the **North American plastic resins industry**." The 2012 edition contains information on domestic production, sales and captive use by end-use application, sales distribution, industry capacities and capacity utilization rates.

**Midwest Exchange Enterprises, Inc.**, a plastics recycling company in Gurnee, Illinois, has announced plans to expand its plant to add 40,000 square feet to its existing 80,000 square feet of processing space, and will also install specialized equipment from AMUT S.p.A. The upgrades will allow the company to self-manufacture resin for local production as well as sell **food-grade rPET** to food and beverage packaging companies.

U.S. demand for biodegradable and non-biodegradable **bio-based resins will climb at a 20 percent annual pace** through 2016 to 550 million pounds per year, according to a new report from the [Freedonia Group][3].

You've probably heard about problems of **marine plastic pollution**. Now a team of French industrial designers have developed a [drone][4] that swims through the ocean, collecting plastic and other debris in its net for recycling, while warding off fish with an infrasound system. Via [_good.is_][5].

[![APR Caps On Banner][6] ][7]

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[1]: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=nu7bc4cab&v=0010iyGwPSeYAHZw3RS-FhpDNd4giz5k4UpUH9VygYfVY66GmHPBEr_OAq7gpXFxSGwsAQvBvm1z5YT6xxYQ-UfxqzgR9Kgja7gjO9PxnHiA3dP8NwLFxzhR5mPsYcoR_HPs-vfunC6rsnDCJ6TC_Rle7MauD5vMFG20_qZZPP85W8FRmmi0BF7HA%3D%3D
[2]: http://store.americanchemistry.com/detail.aspx?ID=284
[3]: http://www.freedoniagroup.com/Industry.aspx?IndustryId=PMKT
[4]: http://www.elieahovi.com/40900/382644/work/marine-drone-
[5]: http://www.good.is/post/swimming-with-the-trash-a-marine-drone-seeks-to-scoop-up-plastic/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+good%2Flbvp+%28GOOD+Main+RSS+Feed%29
[6]: http://www.resource-recycling.com/images/e-newsletterimages/Caps-Banner-cobranded-1111.jpg (APR Caps On Banner)
[7]: http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/news/news-archives/58-press-release/172-caps-on-bottles-for-recycling
[8]: http://www.resource-recycling.com/images/e-newsletterimages/PRUe-news071112.html

URL: http://resource-recycling.com/node/2904