Extrusion International 6-2025-USA

30 Extrusion International 6/2025 30 INDUSTRY NEWS U.S. Supply Hub for Microplastic-Free Material Established Demand for the compostable, mi- croplastic-free material Biodolomer® is rapidly growing in the United States. To meet this demand, Swed- ish producer Gaia Biomaterials and its distributor Mitsubishi International Corporation have established a sup- ply hub in Los Angeles, enabling fast nationwide deliveries via rail. Microplastics have recently become a national talking point in the U.S. Public concern about potential health risks has pushed the issue into the political arena, where lawmakers are now proposing new studies, biparti- san bills, and state-level bans. “People are realizing that all con- ventional plastics eventually turn into microplastics – simply through use,” says Peter Stenström, CEO of Gaia Biomaterials. “That has led to a surge in demand for true alternatives such as our limestone-based Biodolomer, which is fully compostable according to U.S. standards and does not gener- ate microplastics.” The material is already used in a wide range of everyday products – from drinking straws and grocery bags to beer cups. “We’ve supplied Biodolomer to the U.S. market for several years, but inter- est is now booming,” Stenström con- tinues. “By setting up this new supply hub together with Mitsubishi Inter- national Corporation, we can shorten lead times andmake it easier for Amer- ican customers to get access to a com- postable, microplastic-free material.” Located in Los Angeles with direct access to the national railroad net- work, the new hub will allow Gaia to serve customers more quickly and exibly. “This setup also lowers the thresh- old for new clients – the entire process becomes faster, simpler, and more ef- cient,” Stenström concludes. GAIA Biomaterials AB www.gaiabiomaterials.com Two Years of Recycling Is Real Celebrated The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a new se- ries of videos as part of the Recy- cling Is Real advocacy initiative, cel- ebrating two years since the launch of the campaign in September of 2023. The videos showcase the re- cycling work taking place at Alpek Polyester in Reading, Pennsylvania, where used plastic bottles are trans- formed into new products again and again through the recycling process. In just two years, PLASTICS’ Recycling Is Real campaign has released 22 videos highlighting both mechanical and ad- vanced recycling facilities throughout the United States. Employees featured in each video represent the recycling workforce in communities nation- wide. Previous locations include: At- lanta, GA; Kingsport, TN; Madison, WI; North Vernon, IN; Baton Rouge, LA; Portland, PA; Eagle Rock, VA; Rialto, CA; Wytheville, VA; Piqua, OH; Reids- ville, NC; Tampa, FL; Chino, CA; Iron- ton, OH; Houston, TX; Farmingdale, NY; Hilliard, OH; and Plymouth, MI. “In Pennsylvania and at facilities around the world, Alpek Polyester is giving used plastic a second life through recycling,” saidMatt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics In- dustry Association. “Their work is a powerful example of how our industry is turning sustainability goals into tan- gible impact – reducingwaste, creating jobs, and building a more resilient, cir- cular economy from the ground up. As we mark the two-year anniversary of the Recycling is Real campaign, we’re not only proud to give a voice to plas- tics recyclers around the country, but also to continue educating policymak- ers and communities in an effort to improve recycling rates nationwide.” “Every day, our Reading, Pennsylvania employees demonstrate what recy- cling looks like in action – transform- ing PET plastic bottles into new, use- ful products,” said Zach DeWaters, Head of Government Affairs at Alpek Polyester. “Their dedication re ects both the strength of our workforce and Alpek Polyester’s commitment to advancing real, measurable sus- tainability. By investing in recycling and showcasing its impact, we’re proud to help showcase that PET re- cycling works and that it plays an es- sential role in the circular economy.” Towatch Recycling Is Real featuring Al- pek Polyester: Recyclingisreal.com/alpek-polyester/