Aluminum producers will add 20,000 metric tons of aluminum casting capacity in Sjunnen, Sweden.

Norsk Hydro ASA (Hydro), a Norsk-based aluminum producer, said it will increase its aluminum remelting capacity at its Sjunnen extrusion plant in Sweden by 50%. The cost of the project is estimated at 11.3 million euros ($13.3 million). Hydro stated that the project will be completed before the end of 2022.

Hydro stated that with the expansion plan of the Sjunnen foundry, its scrap aluminum melting capacity will increase from 42,000 metric tons to 62,000 metric tons per year.

“By using more processing waste and scrap aluminum from local industries and our extrusion plants in Vetlanda and Finspång [Sweden], we can supply more low-carbon aluminum to the local market,” said Jonas Bjuhr, Hydro Extrusions, Sweden. "Recycling foundries play an important role in the transition to a green economy."

The company stated that the decision to expand the aluminum casting plant in Sjunnen was in response to the increased market demand for low-carbon aluminum profiles in all industries served by Hydro Extrusions.

The plant is located in southern Sweden and is “very suitable for obtaining usable scrap aluminum metal from local industries, otherwise the metal will have to be transported long distances, thereby increasing the cost and carbon footprint of the final product,” the company added.

Hydro has set an overall goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, and stated that improving the ability to recycle aluminum and producing more low-carbon aluminum products play an important role in achieving the goal. The expansion will allow the Sjunnen plant to increase the production of Hydro low-carbon alloys, including Hydro Restore and Hydro Reduxa.

The packaging manufacturer adds Richa Desai as its director of sustainability.

Graham Packaging, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has appointed Richa Desai as its new director of sustainability. In this position, Desai’s mission is to support and promote company-wide sustainability plans, including the formulation of “targets, policies and plans to promote efficient and cost-effective products, technologies, and operations”.

Prior to joining Graham, Desai served as the Sustainability Director of Sabert Corp., a global food packaging company based in New Jersey, and held other positions, including Sustainability Manager of Uponor Finland.

Graham Packaging describes Desai as having a global background, including working in the European, Asian and American markets, including efforts to promote a zero-waste program in plastic manufacturing facilities, while encouraging employee participation.

"Graham Packaging has a strong sustainability plan, and I look forward to it as a foundation," Desai said. "I am very happy to help Graham achieve its sustainability goals while working on various projects, from increasing the content of PCR [post-consumer resin] in products to promoting energy waste savings, to participating in the HolyGrail 2.0 program, and so on."

Tracee Auld, Graham Packaging's Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Growth Officer, said: "Richa's work on sustainability is an exciting addition to Graham Packaging as we will continue to focus on our long-term goals." We are passionate about promoting sustainable development at all levels, and with Richa’s knowledge and experience, we are able to continue to deliver on our commitment to a sustainable future."

Graham Packaging said that through its Lancaster office and its flagship manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania, it oversees a company that produces more than 16 billion containers per year in nearly 70 plants in North, Europe and South America. The company was founded in 1970 and was acquired in 2011 by New Zealand-based Reynolds Group Holdings, a global supplier of consumer food and beverage packaging and storage products.

The Waste Recycling Industry Association and the National Association of Lieutenant Governors present this award in recognition of recycling management.

The Waste Recycling Industry Research Institute (ISRI) in Washington, together with the National Association of Lieutenants Governors (NLGA), awarded Louisiana Governor William “Billy” Nungesser the 2021 Recycling Impact Award. ISRI and NLGA annually award this award to NLGA members who are committed to working in the state, region, and/or community to positively influence resource conservation and recycling.

The award was presented to Lieutenant Nungesser at the NLGA Annual Meeting in Point Clear, Alabama from August 25th to 27th. This is the second time ISRI and NLGA present the award. NLGA Executive Director Julia Hurst said that the award aims to recognize mature and emerging leaders who are committed to meeting current and future challenges.

According to ISRI's press release on this year's awards, Lieutenant Nungesser has made numerous achievements in the field of public service and has won dozens of awards during his lifetime. Since taking office in 2016, Nungesser and his team have led Louisiana to set a record for the number of tourists in each of the four years before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Prior to taking office, several state parks in Louisiana were planned to close, but Nungesser has ensured that the parks remain open and profitable.

Lieutenant Nungesser said that he believes recycling and environmental protection work "is the key to the health and vitality of Louisiana's communities." He added: “The recycling industry has created jobs for Louisianans and has an impact on our state’s economy of US$1.3 billion. I am proud to support efforts to make Louisiana a destination for life, work, and travel. "

ISRI President Robin Wiener added that Lieutenant Nungesser is an advocate for businesses throughout Louisiana. "He is a champion of recycling, conservation, and beautification in Louisiana," she said. "The ISRI members in Louisiana know that if they need anything, Mr. Nungesser is there. We congratulate Louisiana Governor Nungesser on being nominated as the winner of the 2021 NLGA Recycling Impact Award."

"As a champion of environment and business, Lieutenant Nungesser participated in the ISRI2017 conference and expo in New Orleans and visited the exhibition hall," said Alton Schaubhut, marketing manager of CMC Recycling and second vice president of ISRI Gulf Coast Division. Nungesser was awarded the Recycling Impact Award. “The lieutenant governor met with all Louisiana recyclers after that visit to learn how his office helped the state’s recycling companies. Since then, Mr. Nungesser has continued to keep in touch with local recyclers, supporting local businesses and providing Employment opportunities that directly affect the development of the local economy. We pay tribute to Lt. Gov. Nungesser and thank him for everything he has done and will continue to improve the recycling industry in Louisiana."

The company plans to deploy new packaging on its Fluff & Tuff brand products later this year.

Cascades is a global packaging company headquartered in Kinsey Falls, Quebec. It has launched a 100% recyclable plastic packaging that can also be used in its Cascades Fluff & Tuff toilet paper production line. The company is using recycled plastic film for the packaging of the Canadian toilet paper brand.

An independent company conducted a life cycle analysis of Cascades' multi-film packaging and confirmed that the option of including 100% recycled resin reduces the impact of climate change by 76% compared to the original resin equivalent. According to a Cascades press release, the deployment of this new packaging will be completed by the end of this year.

"We must find a packaging solution that can meet the environmental standards of Cascades products. In addition to being 100% or partly made of recycled fibers, compared with the average level of the North American paper industry, water consumption is reduced by 4.5 times and energy is reduced by 2.4 times. The product has also received the most stringent recognized environmental certification (UL-Ecologo, FSC) in the industry," said François David, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Innovation of Cascades Tissue Group. "This kind of packaging should also be ecologically responsible, which is natural. We are proud to be the first company to develop a recycled plastic film that is as effective as the original product. This will definitely become a model in the industry." 

The equipment company ended the joint venture agreement including the excavator marketing cooperation.

John Deere, headquartered in Moline, Illinois, announced that it has reached an agreement with Hitachi Construction Machinery to terminate the joint venture (JV) manufacturing and marketing agreement between Deere and Hitachi. The company said that John Deere and Hitachi will sign a new licensing and supply agreement, which will enable John Deere to continue to source, manufacture and distribute the existing Deere brand excavator series in the Americas.

In March 2020, before entering the 2020 ConExpo/Con-Agg event, the joint venture issued a press release stating that visitors to the event “will notice that the orange Hitachi excavators are side by side with the yellow John Deere machinery. Jointly. The brand booth is a unique visual expression of a three-year long-term partnership, which proves the long-term respect and dedication of the two companies."

The 30-year alliance has also been described as an "unparalleled partnership," which includes joint manufacturing facilities for construction excavators and forestry equipment, as well as integrated marketing and parts distribution.

John Deere stated that looking ahead, the following changes will take effect on February 28, 2022, subject to regulatory approval:

"For many years, John Deere and Hitachi have enjoyed a successful partnership in the Americas," said John Stone, president of the John Deere Construction and Forestry Division and Power Systems. "As we open a new chapter in the excavator designed by Deere, we will continue to be committed to supporting today and tomorrow's customers."

Hitachi Construction Machinery-North America website has not yet issued a press release, providing detailed information from the perspective of the business unit of Hitachi Ltd. headquartered in Japan.