Extrusion International 5-2026-USA

45 Extrusion International 4/2025 Commercial Recycling Pilot Programs in California Launched The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), a national organization dedi- cated to advancing the recovery and recycling of plastic lm and exible packaging, has announced the launch of two rst-of-their-kind commercial recycling pilot programs in California. The pilot programs are designed to generate real-world operational data on commercial lm collection, inform future program development under California’s evolving recycling system and identify approaches that can be replicated and scaled. “FFRA has emerged as a leader in advancing practical, sustainable so- lutions for exible lm recycling,” said Kurt Kurzawa, who leads FFRA. “These pilots reect the collabora - tive approach that de nes our work, bringing together businesses across the value chain to test new collection models, generate meaningful data and help build a stronger foundation for future lm recycling programs.” Commercial plastic lm generated by warehouses, distribution centers, retail backrooms and manufacturing facilities is well-suited for recycling be- cause it is typically clean and consists primarily of a single-material polyeth- ylene stream. The pilots will evaluate approaches for collecting, aggregat- ing and delivering this material to recy- cling end markets. The two regional pilots, managed by FFRA and the Stewardship Action Foundation, include: • Sacramento Region Pilot – This pilot will evaluate a distributed col- lection model for small and medium commercial lm generators using the existing commercial service routes of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? • Ontario/Inland Empire Pilot – This pilot will evaluate a warehouse-fo- cused collection model for large gen- erators through the logistics network of Shorr Packaging, a national pack- aging distributor serving warehouse and distribution center customers. Both pilots will use standardized ‘Rack n’ Pack’ lm collection systems that allow businesses to separate polyethylene lm at the point of gen - eration. Collected material will be transported to regional aggregation facilities where it will be weighed, consolidated and baled prior to ship- ment to recycling markets. Collection activities as part of the pilot program began operating July 1, 2026, and will continue through December 2026, followed by evaluation and nal re - porting. Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) ffra.org Plastics Industry Association www.plasticsindustry.org Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing Promoted SI Group, a leading global develop- er and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions, and chemical intermediates, announced Robert Kaiser has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Strategic Mar- keting and will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team. Kaiser has extensive commercial experience in the chemical industry and will lead market-focused growth initiatives while strengthening alignment be- tween customer needs and SI Group’s long-term business strategy. Since joining SI Group in 2014, he has held leadership positions of in- creasing responsibility across stra- tegic marketing and business de- velopment. Throughout his tenure, he has played a key role in shaping the company's portfolio and market strategy, while driving cross-func- tional alignment on critical growth initiatives. "Robert has consistently demon- strated exceptional strategic leader- ship and a deep understanding of our markets," said David Bradley, Presi- dent and Chief Executive Of cer of SI Group. "His ability to turn information into actionable insight has been instru- mental in strengthening our commer- cial organization and advancing our strategic priorities. We look forward to the unique global perspective and market-centric lens he will bring to our Executive Leadership Team.” “I am honored to join the Executive Leadership Team,” said Kaiser. “Our customers are navigating an increas- ingly complex business environment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role at a time when SI Group has the global footprint and strong foundation needed to create value for our customers and the mar- kets we serve. I look forward to work- ing with colleagues across SI Group to deepen customer relationships and continue advancing our commercial strategy.” SI Group www.siigroup.com Robert Kaiser