PETpla.net Insider 12 / 023

No.12 2023 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 04 . 12 . 23 MAGAZ I NE FOR BOT T L E R S AND BOT T L E - MAK E R S IN THE AMER ICAS, AS IA, EUROPE AND AL L AROUND THE PLANET PETplanet is read in 159 countries MARKETsurvey Suppliers of recycling plants and washing units Page 23 Compressors Editour The Middle East Roadshow Page 12 Page 10

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imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Hubweg 15 74939 Zuzenhausen, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 info@petpla.net EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Anthony Withers Editorial & WikiPETia. info petplanet@petpla.net MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann hirschmann@petpla.net Johann Lange-Brock lange-brock@petpla.net phone: +49 6221-65108-0 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur Matthias Gaumann www.exprim.de READER SERVICES reader@petpla.net PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | www.petpla.net PETplanet Insider ISSN 1438-9459 is published 10 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (1-year subscription 149 EUR, 2-year subscription 289 EUR, Young professionals’ subscription 99 EUR. Magazines will be dispatched to you by airmail). Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. Note: The fact that product names may not be identified as trademarks is not an indication that such names are not registered trademarks. 3 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net Dear readers, The year is drawing to a close and it’s time to look back. We have summarised the information on the commodity price index from our PETplanet Pulse newsletter for you: It has not been a success story for PET producers in Europe. Even though 2023 is not yet over, neither PET producers nor most of their customers will be able to look back on a successful financial year. The start in January was already rather difficult for producers, as many customers had already stocked up on low-priced PET from Asia in the previous year. In addition, the number of contracts signed also declined, which in turn led to planning uncertainty for producers. As a result, almost all PET producers have reduced capacity in recent months and shut down individual production lines to save costs. After rather subdued demand, demand only picked up again in July. Over the course of 2023, producers continued to struggle with energy prices that were still too high compared to 2021, which drove costs up further. In 2023, high inflation, which was particularly noticeable in beverage sales, also had an impact on the coffers of market participants. Over the course of the year, the PET price fell from around € 1,210 per tonne to around € 1,090 per tonne in the period from January to October despite high production costs. European PET should therefore be attractively priced in particular for customers who stocked up with Asian PET in 2022. The prices of feedstock have seen fewer major fluctuations in recent months. If you would also like to receive the monthly report, please write to info@petpla.net or subscribe directly online under “Subscribe to PETplanet Insider” on www.petpla.net. With best wishes for a successful start to the coming year! Yours Alexander Büchler

PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 12/2023 Page 14 EDITOUR 10 The Middle East Road Show begins - PETplanet’s Editour project enters the next round COMPRESSORS 12 Consistent reliability in challenging climate environments 14 Maximising efficiency - Advancements in heat recovery, refrigerant dryers, and intelligent network control 16 Minimising energy losses MATERIALS / RECYCLING 18 A sustainable pathway - Embracing the mass balance approach in the plastics industry by Specialchem BOTTLE MAKING 21 Giant water cooler jug in 100% rPET MARKET SURVEY 23 Suppliers of recycling plants and washing units BEVERAGE INGREDIENTS 26 Beverage trends in the Middle East - Pioneering health benefits, functionality and new flavour profiles MOULD MAKING 28 Let’s move to lose weight - From the idea to cooperation on material savings TRADE SHOW REVIEW 30 Quality control of the labelling, the neck finish and the thread 31 Digital and sustainable rigid packaging 32 Gneuss celebrates 40 years - Cap processing for food-safe HDPE 34 “We founded Aloxe in 2021 with one strong belief” - Aloxe inaugurates its new recycled PET plastic manufacturing plant in Messein, France BUYER’S GUIDE 40 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 37 Products 38 On site 39 Patents 46 Outer Planet COMPRESSORS Page 34 Page 21 EDITOUR

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PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net Packaging specialist Alpla is investing in Morocco and planning expansion By acquiring a majority stake in the packaging company Atlantic Packaging and establishing a joint venture with the previous sole owner Diana Holding, theAlpla Group is expanding its presence in North Africa. In addition to PET preforms for the beverage industry for the regional markets in the Maghreb and for Western Africa, Alpla Morocco also produces plastic pallets by injection moulding and packaging films by extrusion at its modern plant in Tangier. Currently, the site employs 32 people. Alpla Morocco’s preform capacity has already been tripled in 2023 by two additional preform production lines. In the coming years, the company intends to increase the portfolio of the Moroccan site through further local activities, potentially including bottle and closure production. This initiative aims to establish the groundwork for growth and sustainable packaging solutions in the North Western African Region. In addition to its packaging subsidiary, Diana Holding is primarily active in the agro-industrial sector. Through this joint venture, the family-run group is claimed to strengthen its packaging division, which was founded in 2007, by capitalising on its substantial bottling experience garnered over nearly 50 years as the former Coca-Cola Company bottler in the northern region of Morocco. The approximately 12,000m2 plant in the free trade zone of Tangier is to be expanded in stages over the coming years. More than 20,000m2 of space is available for future expansion. In the first stage, Alpla Morocco has tripled its production capacity from the current 100 million preforms to around 300 million units per year. To this end, the company is investing in two new PET preform production lines. www.alpla.com Industry-NGO coalition calls on MEPs to support mandatory DRS in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation Ahead of the plenary vote on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE), The Minderoo Foundation, The Reloop Platform, Unesda Soft Drinks Europe and Zero Waste Europe call on Members of the European Parliament to reject any amendment aiming at turning the mandatory setting up of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) into a voluntary measure. If adopted, the coalition says, those amendments would considerably reduce the level of ambition of the PPWR regarding the collection and recycling of beverage packaging. As recognised by the European Commission in its proposal, and by the ENVI Committee in its report adopted in October, DRS have a key role to play in achieving a circular economy for beverage packaging. European countries with long-established DRS usually report collection rates up to 95% and countries that have recently implemented DRS (Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta) already see high collection rates, going up to 90%. Given current collection performances in other parts of the EU, many member states are unlikely to achieve their EU collection targets without setting up a DRS. As an example, in France, where many advocate against a mandatory DRS, research shows a 60% collection rate for PET bottles, with limited ability to get to the 77% requested by the EU SUP Directive by 2025. The absence of well-performing collection schemes in every single member state would jeopardise the EU recycling and recycled content targets, so the concern. Indeed, DRS have delivered high collection rates for beverage packaging in countries where they are in place, they also have the benefit of providing high-quality food-grade recycled material in a clean single stream. Another important factor is the widespread consumer support for DRS. For example, surveys found 92% of the French public support its introduction, and in Slovakia, 83% support rose to 89% after the DRS was introduced. Removing this obligation would be accepting a status-quo where too much beverage packaging ends up being littered, not properly collected and therefore not recycled or reused as it should. www.naturalmineralwaterseurope.org Chinaplas 2024 returns to Shanghai Chinaplas, Asia’s premier plastics and rubber trade fair, is set to make a resounding return to Shanghai from April 23-26, 2024. Spanning all 15 exhibition halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao, Shanghai, PR China, the event will boast an exhibition area exceeding 380,000m2. Shanghai has unveiled a three-year (2023-2025) action plan to promote the high-quality development of the city’s manufacturing industries, contributing over one-fourth to the regional GDP. The prepackaged food market in China is projected to reach RMB 510 billion (USD 69.8 billion) in 2023, presenting substantial opportunities for the packaging market. Additionally, China’s medical device market, already the second-largest globally, is rapidly evolving, with active medical device market size expected to reach RMB 49.6 billion (USD 6.8 billion) by 2030. The burgeoning demand for exhibition booths at Chinaplas 2024 is claimed to reflect the renewed confidence in the plastics and rubber industries, according to the organisers Adsale. The exhibition area is set to expand by over 11% compared to the 2018 show in Shanghai, indicating a diverse range of exhibits and participants. With over 4,000 exhibitors, Chinaplas 2024 is poised to showcase breakthrough technologies and limitless potential for independent innovation. The online preregistration has commenced, and all visitors are urged to secure their entry dates in advance. As the “golden key” to technological innovation, the trade show is primed to drive the high-quality development of the plastics and rubber industries. www.chinaplasonline.com

7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net NPE’s academic programme redesigned The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) officially unveiled over 90 Educational Sessions for NPE 2024. The event is scheduled to take place from May 6-10, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA. The trade show is redefining the education experience for attendees through a new learning journey on key topics in the plastics industry, such as workforce development, circularity and artificial intelligence, among many others. Produced by Plastics, the educational program with more than 100 sessions total was designed to help businesses tackle the ever-changing challenges of the industry, with exclusive opportunities to gain insights from plastics experts around the world. Attendees with expo pass registrations will have access to over 75 education sessions on the show floor, located in the allnew Spark Stages. Highlighting advanced artificial intelligence applications, the future of plastics, business productivity & profitability, sustainability & advancement of the circular economy and more, attendees are encouraged to tailor their education schedules to meet their personal business needs. The three Spark Stages are as follows: Bottling Stage: Attendees will discover advancements in technologies for the beverage and non-food segments. Innovation Stage, sponsored by the Plastics Hall of Fame: Participants will witness the latest in electrification, Industry 4.0, thermoplastic alchemy, UV blockers, engineered thermoplastics and other exciting topics. Sustainability Stage: Explore how the entire plastics supply chain is developing solutions to improve efficiency, reduce materials loss, use less power and more. Off the show floor, NPE will host some of the industry’s biggest and brightest speakers including: Industry briefings featuring thought leaders in the automotive, building and construction, consumer goods, and medical and packaging industries. Comprehensive plastics industry briefing that will include timely business updates from every market segment, including global insights on the economic impact of plastics, market trends, future forecasts on recycling and a review of the Global Plastics Treaty. Market Trends sessions with insights into the U.S. recycled plastics industry, the future of polyethylene and polypropylene and other leading topics. To attend these new off-floor sessions, an Expo Plus registration is required to unlock Market Trends with Icis, while Expo Premier gives attendees complete access to tailored industry insights and on-demand post-show recordings. www.npe.org Indorama Ventures reports stable quarterly earnings Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, reported stable third-quarter earnings as the company’s management focuses on conserving cash and improving competitiveness to bolster performance in a continued period of weakness in the global chemical industry. Indorama Ventures achieved EBITDA of $324 million in 3Q23, an increase of 1% QoQ and a decline of 37% YoY, impacted by a weak economic environment, geopolitical tensions, and continued postpandemic disruptions in global markets. Sales volumes dropped 5% from a year ago to 3.6 million tons as China recovers from the pandemic more slowly than expected and an extended period of destocking in the manufacturing and chemical sectors continues to normalise from unprecedented levels last year. Management continues to focus on conserving cash, realising efficiency improvements, and optimising the company’s operational footprint to boost profitability. These efforts resulted in positive operating cash flow of US$410 million in the quarter, positive free cash flow of $79 million year to date, and room for further reductions in working capital going forward. The company’s AA- rating was maintained by TRIS in the quarter, with a stable outlook. The company expects the operating environment to improve in 2024 as customer destocking continues to ease across all three of Indorama Ventures’ segments. The ramp up of PET and fibres expansion projects operations in India and the U.S. will also contribute to increased volumes. Combined PET posted EBITDA of $146 million, a 25% decline QoQ, amid historically low benchmark PET margins, increased feedstock prices in Western markets, and lingering effects of destocking. www.indoramaventures.com Krones records strong growth in first three quarters of 2023 After a successful first half of the year, the third quarter of 2023 also went well for Krones. Although the overall economic outlook has clouded over, the company’s international customers in the food and beverage industry continue to show high levels of market activity and willingness to invest. This reflects the fact that demand for packaged beverages is robust to economic cycles and continues to grow at a steady rate. In the third quarter of 2023, order intake improved by 4.3% on the previous quarter to €1,327.7 million (Q3 2022: 1,493.3 million). Krones’ revenue developed well between January and September, despite the tight supply of electrical components, rising by 14.5% to €3,485.6 million. The company improved profitability in a challenging environment in the first three quarters of 2023. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) went up by 23.0% to €332.3 million. The EBITDA margin rose to 9.5% (previous year: 8.9%). Krones confirms its full-year guidance for 2023. The Executive Board expects revenue growth of 11% to 13%. In addition, the company aims to further improve profitability and forecasts an EBITDA margin of 9% to 10% in 2023. For return on capital employed (ROCE), Krones expects an increase to between 15% and 17%. Krones received €4,113.6 million in new orders in the first nine months of 2023 (previous year: €4,599.7 million). The sustained strong demand for Krones products and services is also reflected in the order backlog. Despite higher output, the contract value of orders exceeded the €4 billion mark for the first time in the third quarter of 2023. At the end of September 2023, the order backlog stood at €4,094.4 million, up 18.7% on the already very high prioryear figure (€3,449.0 million). This comfortable order backlog is claimed to ensure production capacity utilisation in plant and project business through to 2025. www.krones.com

8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net EU: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement on waste shipment Negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement to overhaul regulations governing waste shipments. The revised regulation is geared towards curbing problematic waste exports beyond the EU, aligning shipment procedures with circular economy objectives, and bolstering enforcement measures. The regulation’s scope expands to encompass climate neutrality and circular economy goals. It expressly prohibits intra-EU waste shipments for disposal, allowing exceptions only under stringent conditions. Intra-EU shipments for recovery operations necessitate prior written notification and consent (‘PIC’), with a specific derogation for laboratory analysis waste weighing under 250 kg. Under the ‘PIC’ procedure, exporters within the EU must notify and receive confirmation from relevant countries before export. A central electronic system streamlines document submission and exchange, with agreed-upon timelines to ensure efficiency. The regulation maintains the prohibition of waste disposal exports to third countries and the export of hazardous waste for recovery in non-OECD countries. It introduces mandatory audits of waste management facilities in destination countries by independent bodies. A register of audited facilities will be established by the Commission to assist waste exporters. Exports of plastic waste Stringent rules are introduced for exporting non-hazardous plastic waste (B3011) to non-OECD countries. Non-OECD countries may request the importation of EU plastic waste, subject to strict standards, with the Commission empowered to lift the export ban for compliant countries. Export of non-hazardous plastic waste to OECD countries is allowed, contingent on the ‘PIC’ notification procedure. The Commission is tasked with rigorous monitoring to prevent adverse environmental and health impacts. Member states are urged to establish dissuasive penalties for regulation infringements, including fines and the revocation or temporary suspension of relevant authorisations. Effective cooperation mechanisms at national and international levels are mandated, with the establishment of a waste shipment enforcement group to enhance collaboration between member states. The provisional agreement will be submitted to the Council’s representatives and the Parliament’s environment committee for endorsement. Formal adoption by both institutions, following legal-linguistic revision, is required before publication in the EU’s Official Journal. www.consilium.europa.eu Consumer groups launch EU-wide complaint against major water bottle producers On November 7, 2023, the European Consumer Organisation (Beuc) and member organisations from 13 countries reported misleading commercial claims about the recyclability of products by major drinking water bottle traders, including Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestlé Waters/Nestlé. According to their statement, such claims do not comply with the EU rules on unfair commercial practices. The complaint was filed with the support of ClientEarth and Ecos - Environmental Coalition on Standards. The industry’s recyclability claims are accused to be vague, inaccurate, or insufficiently substantiated. The three key claims of concern the groups defined are: 1) “100% recyclable”: According to the claimants, the term’s ambiguity depends on factors like infrastructure, sorting effectiveness, and recycling processes. The PET beverage bottle recycling rate in the EU is estimated at 55%, with a 30% chance of becoming a bottle again, according to their source Eunomia and Zero Waste Europe. 2) “100% recycled”: This claim, the organisations say, would wrongly imply the full bottle is made entirely from recycled materials. EU law prohibits bottle lids from using recycled materials, and labels are rarely made from recycled material. Virgin plastic addition to the bottle body is also common, according to the accusation. 3) Use of green imagery: Branding often incorporates closed loops, green logos, or nature images, creating a false perception of environmental neutrality and plastic circularity, according to the claimants. Beuc and its members have filed a complaint with the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (CPC), calling on them to launch an investigation. They call on authorities to ensure traders stop misleading consumers with such claims. Ursula Pachl, Deputy Director General of Beuc, emphasised the increasing consumer desire for sustainable choices but stated a bombardment of incorrect claims would lead to consumer confusion. Justin Wilkes, Executive Director of Ecos, called for policymakers to establish clear rules on recycled content to end misleading green claims. Beuc represents 45 independent national consumer organisations in Brussels. ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation using the law for systemic change to protect the Earth, while Ecos advocates for environmentally friendly technical standards, policies, and laws. www.beuc.eu

9 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 10 PETplanet’s Editour project enters the next round The Middle East Road Show begins by Rangoli Gupta, Euromonitor International and Kay Barton, PETplanet Late autumn is just the right moment for the start of our Middle East Road Show, the new PETplanet Editour project for 2023-2024. This time, several editors will be visiting our readers along the PET chain in Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to shed light on the local characteristics, trends and developments in the beverage and packaging industries in this part of the world. What drives this dynamic region, where tradition and religion go hand in hand with modernity and consumer purchasing power, and what does this mean for the beverage and packaging industry? What are the flavour and rehydration trends in the different countries? What role do sustainability and recycling play? What are the logistical and technological challenges of production, food shelf life and food safety in extreme climates? What are the requirements for packaged beverages in urban centres compared to rural areas? How can target groups be addressed? To discuss all these points, we will be meeting with small and medium-sized players as well as multinational market leaders. Our journey will begin with a visit to the United Arab Emirates, followed by Saudi Arabia. As an introduction to these markets, we asked Mrs Rangoli Gupta, Research Associate at Euromonitor International, to give a brief overview of the current beverage and PET situation. prices and limited availability of packaging materials such as aluminium, metal, and rPET. Price spikes in energy, labour shortages, and transportation issues have impacted both soft drink manufacturers and consumers, leading to higher unit prices and prompting a re-evaluation of choices and priorities. Soft drinks face a potential perception of being non-essential due to global inflation, necessitating convenient and cost-effective packaging. Flexible aluminium/plastic and PET bottles are anticipated to witness higher demand post-2022 due to their ease of manufacturing, storage, and affordability. The ongoing decline in cola carbonate sales, attributed to the association with unhealthy lifestyles, is expected to persist, affecting the growth of metal beverage cans in the forecast period as they are the most prominent pack type with 68% share in Saudi Arabia and 72% share in UAE in 2022. Ain Water launches (rPET) bottles made from 100% recyclable material In the United Arab Emirates, there is a growing consumer inclination Rangoli Gupta, Research Associate at Euromonitor International EDITOUR Kuwait Egypt Qatar Global supply chain challenges of 2022 ripple through the soft drink industry, impacting costs and consumer choices In 2022, widespread supply chain challenges emerged, driven not only by the enduring effects of the pandemic but also by the Russia-Ukraine war and environmental concerns of the carbon footprint associated with transport. These challenges encompass elevated costs for ingredients like sugar, sweeteners, and coffee, along with increased

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 11 towards sustainability, with individuals actively seeking eco-friendly packaging options. Soft drinks manufacturers are responding to this trend by exploring ways to enhance the sustainability of their packaging to meet consumer expectations. In 2022, Agthia made a significant announcement about the introduction of a new water bottle for its Al Ain Water brand, crafted from rPET. This initiative marked a pioneering effort by a local company and followed the company’s previous launch of water bottles made entirely from plant materials in 2020. Agthia’s introduction of rPET bottles aligns with its commitment to transitioning towards a circular economy. Additionally, the company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Veolia Middle East subsidiary Repeet and Bee’ah to facilitate the manufacturing, collection, and recycling of rPET. This collaboration involves the establishment of a new 40,000m2 facility in Abu Dhabi, with an annual recycling capacity of 12,000 t of PET. The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s decision to regulate the use of recycled plastic bottles in the circulation of bottled drinking water. United Arab Emirates-based Coffee Planet launches ecofriendly coffee capsules The beverage packaging industry has witnessed innovations, such as the introduction of eco-friendly coffee capsules. As the trend of on-thego coffee consumption rises, coffee capsules offer a convenient and customisable solution for quick coffee preparation. However, a significant drawback is the non-biodegradability of many coffee capsules in the market, contributing to environmental concerns, particularly among the growing number of roasteries in the United Arab Emirates. Addressing this issue, Coffee Planet, based in the UAE, has launched 100% biodegradable and compostable coffee capsules. These capsules, crafted from vegetable-based materials, not only maintain product quality but also readily break down after use. Additionally, Coffee Planet has committed to planting a tree through the Eden Reforestation Project for every eco-capsule sold, demonstrating its dedication to sustainability. PET bottles dominate still bottled water packaging in Saudi Arabia as glass remains a niche choice for premium brands Still bottled water remains the biggest category in the Saudi Arabian soft drinks industry, accounting for more than half of the overall packaging unit volumes. This category dominates the usage of PET bottles in Saudi Arabian soft drinks market. With still bottled water expected to continue growing in the coming years, this also means a positive growth trajectory is expected for PET bottles over the forecast period. Glass is regarded as a sustainable packaging option, often chosen by premium juice and nectar brands Egypt Saudi Arabia Kuwait Qatar Oman United Arab Emirates 6 countries numerous interviews with PET companies Oman Saudi Arabia for its association with superior quality, reflecting positively on the product’s perceived quality. Despite ongoing growth, glass is anticipated to remain a relatively minor packaging choice compared to PET bottles and metal beverage cans. Factors contributing to this include the increasing costs of raw materials and logistics, given that glass is more expensive to produce and challenging to transport due to its susceptibility to breakage. Sustainable initiatives by other companies Companies are increasingly moving towards more sustainable packaging in order to keep up with the increasingly environmentally conscious consumers. Vimto Squash launched a “widely recycled” claim on its 1-litre PET bottles in liquid concentrates. Pearl Royal followed a similar strategy for its coconut water, with its coconut-shaped twin packs of 310 ml carrying three-step “how to recycle me” instructions on the packaging. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 supports the sustainability drive and companies, including Almarai and Nestlé, have officially pledged to support this commitment in terms of packaging. www.euromonitor.com United Arab Emirates

COMPRESSORS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 12 Consistent reliability in challenging climate environments by Gabriele Kosmehl Following the company’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2020, Atelier Francois has another milestone to celebrate: Fifteen years ago, the renowned oil-free compressor manufacturer extended its reach into the Middle East. Their venture, located in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai, initially targeted the “traditional” Greater Middle-East. However, in 2019, AF elevated its commitment by becoming the owner of its own facilities, strategically positioned to serve the Greater Middle East, Eastern Africa, and the five Stan countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Today, the company claims to cover around 85% of the compressor demand in the Middle East and African PET beverage market. Visitors to the AF Compressors stand at the Gulfood Manufacturing Food Tech Manufacturing Event, held in Dubai November 7-9, 2023 were well aware of what they sought: a reliable compressor for the beverage and food sector, capable of handling challenging climatic conditions. Resistance to high temperatures, temperature fluctuations, humidity, and dust is paramount for a smooth and troublefree manufacturing process but pose significant challenges to the manufacturing equipment. To present their range of durable solutions, the company doubled its stand space this year to welcome with its entire team visitors from around the globe, in addition to the MENA region. AF’s emphasis focuses on customers themselves being able to carry out simple maintenance and repair tasks. The company provides a 24/7 service in case of any issues. Georges Alard, Commercial Director AF Group, affirms, “Piston compressors can go on for decades with the correct maintenance regime.” While highlighting the longevity of their compressors, the company recommends a system audit after ten years to explore improvement options. AF offers various retrofitting options, showcasing its dedication to sustainability and efficiency. This approach finds expression in the company’s new slogan: “Efficiency in Sobriety” which was promoted at the Dubai fair. Oil free two-stage piston compressor (OPC) A significant focus at Gulfood Manufacturing was on two-stage compressors, recently re-designed for enhanced energy efficiency. In the face of rising energy costs, these solutions are positioned as efficient to operate. Branded as the OPC range, the oil-free compressors can operate in the standard 7-10 bar industrial range, with options for 3-15 bar units catering to specialised applications. Key features of the low-pressure units include a 15% reduction in energy costs compared to former models and a 50% reduction in maintenance costs. www.afcompressors.com COMPRESSORS The AF Middle East team AF Middle East’s premises in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone Dubai AF Compressors had doubled its booth space at this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing trade show.

COMPRESSORS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 14 Advancements in heat recovery, refrigerant dryers, and intelligent network control Maximising efficiency Complementing their PET compressor range, Boge is launching three new product lines. Using its heat recovery technology, 94% of energy can be reclaimed, according to the company, whilst their sustainable refrigerant dryers ensure constant dew points. Finally, Boge’s Airtelligence Provis 3 offers intelligent network control. Heat recovery regenerates 94% of the energy used Heat recovery means reusing the energy used to generate the compressed air. Instead of being lost as undirected ambient heat, the energy generated is used to heat storage and operating areas or for heating water or oils. Concrete application areas include the treatment of drinking water, service water, heating water and process water. The latter is used for industrial washing processes, for example in recycling companies to clean plastic and synthetic materials as well as in laundrettes. Components can be used to recover heat in both oil-injection cooled and oil-free screw compressors. For users, heat recovery is a profitable model: Up to 94% of the energy used can be recovered. At the same time, the energy for cooling processes within the compressor is reduced as the heat generated is conducted away and used elsewhere. The investment in heat recovery components pays for itself within a few months, depending on the application, says Boge. The option of heat recovery is included in all new compressors of the company as standard. Older systems – including those of other manufacturers – can be retrofitted within a day. Refrigerant dryers for sustainable, reliable operations No compressor without a refrigerant dryer – dry compressed air is required for almost any situation. In addition to the existing DS-2 series, Boge has launched a new range of products. All the models in the new DT series ensure a constant dew point of 3 °C at a free air delivery of between 0.4 and 14m³/min. With this strategy, the compressed air system is claimed to ensure maximum delivery capability for its customers. As with the All models are claimed to be lowconsumption. As the Boge CCD ten condensate drain used in the dryer has electronic level adjustment, any condensate that might form can be drained off without any pressure losses once a defined level has been reached. The DT 52 to DT 140 models offer additional savings potential: if the dew point is reached in partial-load operation, the control unit automatically switches off the compressor. The condensate in the heat exchanger then cools the compressed air until the dew point once again reaches the target value. Only once this happens does the cooling compressor come back on. The refrigerant dryer’s control system permits continuous monitoring of the pressure and temperature thanks to a series of sensors. Unlike with the DS-2 series where a pressure switch disconnects the system in case of an emergency, in these new devices, the sensors take over the job. The pressure dew point can be quickly checked with the help of the LED status light. The new refrigerant dryers also come with a Modbus RTU/ RS 485 interface as standard, allowCOMPRESSORS DS-2 series, the DT series refrigerant dryers all come with an “all-in-one” aluminium heat exchanger operated in a reverse flow process and containing a proven air/air heat exchanger, evaporator and condensate drain. Boge says that both models use the environmentally friendly and futureproof R 513 A refrigerant, with low global warming potential, as standard, making all the models compliant with Regulation EU 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases. The refrigerant circuit is hermetically sealed, rendering a leakage test by certified refrigeration engineer unnecessary. The hot gas/bypass valve present in all models keeps the pressure dew point at a constant 3 °C, even in changing environmental conditions. As hot air is injected below a specific temperature, there is no danger of ice forming in the evaporator. And, in addition, the refrigerant dryer’s condensers are amply dimensioned, delivering reliable operation even for compressed air at an inlet temperature of 70 °C. The large fan is mounted directly on the condenser and is intended to ensure maximum cooling air flow, which in turn has a positive effect on the pressure dew point. As a result, the refrigerant dryer is robust and continues to operate even under challenging circumstances. Refrigerant dryers DT series

COMPRESSORS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 15 ing the user to detect alarm thresholds and display other relevant parameters. This data is then easy to forward onto an interlocking control device or master display. Heat recovery system Managing numbers of components and networks Controlling an unlimited number of compressors, enabling seamless communication, and accessing data from anywhere: the requirements for modern compressed air management are high. The goal is uncomplicated operation coupled with maximum energy efficiency. To meet this challenge, the company introduced a new intelligent network control system. The Airtelligence Provis 3 has been developed to transform the operation of compressed air systems, as it can proactively and consumption-dependently manage an unlimited number of compressors, accessory components, and entire compressed air networks. Thanks to a new Modbus Interface Module, the control system is backward-compatible with other control systems and third-party manufacturers. To ensure communication between products of different manufacturers and various device types in the future, Boge’s control system supports the open data format OPC UA. Additionally, Ethernet as a communication standard allows multiple participants to communicate simultaneously, integrating even remotely located stations. This can be done using the existing IT infrastructure of the user. The Airtelligence Provis 3 is delivered as a plug-and-play complete solution to the user. The 15.6-inch display with intuitive touch control shows the compressor detail view, profile view, and pressure history. A fully integrated, powerful industrial PC is provided as standard. However, users can also access it from tablets or smartphones because the comprehensive and clear visualisation is web-based. It displays consumption patterns and status values almost in real-time. A new feature is energy reporting according to the DIN EN ISO 50001 standard. For efficient energy management, users can track the energy consumption and associated costs of operating the compressors at any time. Regarding energy costs, a typical challenge in designing a compressed air system is handling different compressed air demands leading to load and idle times. The unintentional consequence of unfavourable system configurations can be energyintensive over-compression. This is where the control algorithms of the Airtelligence Provis 3 come into play. They automatically select the optimal combination of compressors and additional components, shaping their interaction proactively and consumption-dependently. Over-compression is thus avoided, and operation during load and idle times is optimised. Additional modules tailor the system to the customer’s needs. The pro-FU option allows users to operate multiple frequency-controlled compressors with the same percentage of utilisation. Additionally, users can opt for the Airlogic 3 software module, which controls supply air, recirculating air, and exhaust air flaps, as well as peripheral components. In If-Then scenarios, it opens and closes flaps based on pre-defined, status- or temperature-dependent commands, avoiding energy losses. Both options further enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the entire system. www.boge.com Network control system Airtelligence Provis 3 Via heat recovery, up to 94% of the energy used can be reclaimed.

COMPRESSORS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 16 Minimising energy losses ABC Compressors’ new Horizon Synchro machines are claimed to offer improved efficiency, energy usage, remote monitoring and lower total cost of ownership (TCO). ABC Compressors, which was founded in Eibar, North-East Spain, in 1943, began exporting its equipment in the 1950s and now has a presence in over 130 countries across the world. In 2017, it opened its first USA facility in Miami, Florida. ABC introduced a four-stage compressor for the PET market in the 1980s. The company says that its newly-launched Horizon Synchro range is an advanced series of PET synchronous compressors, which it claims will set new standards in the sector. The machines feature technology that proritises substantial reduction in energy losses along with improved reliability and overall performance, together with a continued focus on total cost of ownership. The key technological developments include a permanent magnet motor with variable speed drive. ABC says that the combination delivers precise control over the compression process while reducing energy consumption and thus boosting sustainable operations. Focus on efficiency The whole system has been engineered for efficiency, the company maintains. Its compact design and improved intercooling process has been developed to optimise heat dissipation, leading to improved reliability and extended equipment lifespan without compromising performance. Horizon Synchro compressors now all come with digital management systems as standard. As well as greater accuracy, this means that operators can remotely monitor and control the machines. It also means that operators are provided with real time insights into machine condition and performance, enabling better, more cost-effective predictive maintenance, and smooth, seamless optimisation, ABC says. Improving energy use The company believes that the energy efficiency journey requires a comprehensive strategy. As well as focusing on total cost of ownership, ABC has prioritised total cost of energy. To that end it is driving to minimise energy losses within the compressor system itself. Typically, existing compressor systems convert only 10% of the energy taken from the grid into compressed air. To be absolutely clear: this means that around 90% of energy the user is paying for and receiving is lost during the process. This is not only an unacceptable level of inefficiency, it is a massive waste in terms of cost. ABC says that its latest heat exchanger technology achieves a significant reduction in thermal losses, by maintaining a lower ‘Delta’ temperature – below 7 °C – and optimising the cooling chamber in the cylinder. The company asserts that these design improvements decrease thermal losses by 10% and thus contribute to overall energy conservation. Cutting volumetric losses Volumetric losses have been addressed by minimising leaks, dead spaces and pressure losses within the airflow, leading to a 15% reduction. The elimination of a gearbox between the motor and the compressor itself has helped to mitigate mechanical losses. The direct-coupled IE5 synchronous motor cuts energy losses by 20%, compared to a standard IE3 induction motor, according to ABC, further increasing the overall efficiency of the Horizon Synchro range. ABC presents the Horizon Synchro range as a benchmark on its journey of efficiency and innovation. The range delivers both on traditional measures and, in addition, places a strong emphasis on reducing energy losses within the compressor system. ABC Compressors says that the Horizon Synchro range demonstrates its commitment to pioneering solutions to meet customers’ changing and evolving needs. www.abc-compressors.com COMPRESSORS Typically, existing compressor systems convert only 10% of the energy taken from the grid into compressed air. ABC focuses on reducing energy losses, improving efficiency and thus reducing TCO.

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MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 18 Embracing the mass balance approach in the plastics industry by Specialchem A sustainable pathway The mass balance approach enables similar polymers to be produced by combining alternative renewable or recyclable raw materials with fossil raw materials. Polymers produced in this way are certified by internationally known certificates and used to produce new plastic products for customers in a more sustainable way. This approach bridges the gap between today’s linear economy and the sustainable circular economy for plastics of the future. It is therefore a crucial step on the way to the circular economy for plastics. How are biopolymers effectively managed in complex supply chains? The mass balance approach is an effective method for managing the use of biopolymers in complex supply chains. In this approach, the material flow from the starting material to the final product is tracked according to predefined and transparent rules. These rules serve as criteria to determine whether a product can be classified as renewable or as a recycled product. When applying the mass balance approach to biopolymers, fossil raw materials must be replaced by renewable or recyclable raw materials in the production process. For each tonne of renewable or recyclable raw material used as a substitute, approximately one tonne of production can be attributed to this sustainable source. This ensures accurate measurement and verification of the environmental benefits associated with the inclusion of biopolymers throughout the production cycle. By applying the mass balance approach to biopolymers, companies can move to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. It reduces dependence on fossil resources, minimises greenhouse gas emissions and is in line with circular economy principles by using renewable or circular raw materials. Companies reached a certification by an independent certification body according to the Redcert 2 standard or other international certifications, e.g. ISCC+. (Fig. page 20) What are the key criteria for adopting a mass balance approach? To ensure the credibility of the claims, companies applying the mass balance approach in chemical and plastics production should comply with the following key criteria, which can be verified by an independent third party: 1) Feedstock qualification: companies must provide a transparent description of the qualification of responsibly sourced renewable feedstocks and demonstrate their measurable GHG savings compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. 2) Evidence of the supply chain: the system boundaries and the scope of the supply chain must be clearly defined. The material flow along the chain of custody and the material list should be verifiable by a third party. Any chain of custody approach must comply with a publicly available standard. 3) Product claims: product claims should be verifiable and certified. These products should be labelled as renewable products and not “bio-based products”. Where should companies start which intend to adopt a mass balance approach? First of all, one has to be sure that mass balance is the most appropriate chain of custody model for one’s own market and business processes. Considering the benefits, market demand,

MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 12/23 www.petpla.net 19 scalability and standards to be met, a certification scheme should be chosen that best suits the company. A plan or MVP should be outlined for a system that will enable the company to maintain a reliable record for the chosen certification. A certification body must be found to carry out the audit for the certification of the site(s) and product(s). A practical timetable for implementation must be established, taking into account the operational changes and auditing steps required. What is the checklist to consider for its quick implementation? To ensure the proper implementation of the mass balance approach, there are several certification schemes, all aimed at maintaining its integrity. Although these systems have different frameworks, what they have in common is that they require comprehensive documentation and reporting of material inputs and outputs. Establishing a robust documentation and reporting system is crucial to maintain trust in the mass balance approach. According to ISO 22095:2020, an accounting system must be employed to track the flow of materials throughout the process where the mass balance approach is applied (excluding energy sources). To ensure the credibility of the material allocation process, an independent third party, often a certification body, must conduct an audit. This includes verifying the accounting system, materials used, and reporting procedures. Periodic reporting is essential to maintain continuous compliance. The overall balance, ensuring that output credits do not exceed input credits, must be reported regularly within the designated accounting period. When trading materials between companies, sustainability declarations are required.

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