Solvay Signs Agreement with Kobe Steel Aiming At Introducing Vinyloop® in Japan

Solvay's innovative PVC recycling process takes first step in Asia

31-Aug-2001

Solvay and Kobe Steel have just signed a cooperation agreement with a view to introduce and market Solvay's Vinyloop®PVC recycling process in Japan. The agreement includes carrying out feasibility and market studies to promote the application of the innovative process in Japan. The studies are anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.

"The alliance with a quality partner such as Kobe Steel paves the way for the development of Vinyloop® in Japan. We are convinced that in this essential market, like in Europe, we will be able to demonstrate that PVC is an environmentally sustainable product and that recycling PVC can itself develop into a significant, economically viable and profitable business", said Patrick Crucifix, Solvay's Vinyloop® project leader.

"Solvay's Vinyloop® process provides impressive technical advantages and commercial competitiveness. We believe this promising technology will dramatically improve PVC waste recycling in Japan." said Yukihide Nosaka, General Manager of Kobe Steel's Energy & Engineering Department. "This process enables waste PVC plastic to be reused to make new PVC, an environmentally sound practice in resource utilization", he said.

One of the advantages of PVC is that it is totally soluble in certain solvents. Using this characteristic, the Vinyloop® technology developed by Solvay Research & Technology allows the complete separation of PVC material from other components, which are combined with PVC in many of its applications. The biodegradable solvents are used in a closed circuit and regenerate PVC of a quality equivalent to the original product. This efficient and competitive technology provides the answer to one of the obstacles generally faced in recycling composite materials: to separate various intimately linked materials. Details are available at the new Internet site www.vinyloop.com.

Solvay's initiatives in the field of recycling are part of its "Responsible Care®" commitment for continual progress in terms of eco-efficiency, the key for a more sustainable development.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/4511/solvay-signs-agreement-with-kobe-steel-aiming-at-introducing-vinyloop-in-japan.html