Faerch advances circular packaging leadership with growing rPET volumes from Cirrec

As many recyclers across Europe face significant market pressures and operational challenges, Faerch’s integrated recycling facility, Cirrec, continues to demonstrate stable performance and steady progress. Cirrec has increased its internal supply of tray-based recycled PET (tray rPET), supporting Faerch’s ambition to scale circular packaging solutions at industrial level.

Cirrec is now performing with such steady progress that it can provide its full annual output capacity of approximately 27,000 tonnes of pellets for internal consumption within the Faerch Group. This secures Faerch’s access to high-quality recycled raw material and strengthens the company’s position as a truly integrated recycler-producer.

Driving circularity and supply stability through integrated recycling

Faerch, a leader in rigid plastic food packaging, is advancing the transition to circularity by expanding its integrated recycling model. At the centre of this approach is the Cirrec Division, which enables Faerch to turn post-consumer trays into new food-grade packaging, ensuring quality, security of supply, and true material circularity.

Faerch’s recycling platform is built on the principle that yesterday’s resources must stay in the loop. This progress is driven by strong collaboration across teams, close partnerships throughout the value chain, and a continuous focus on improving processes and outcomes. By producing food packaging with tray rPET, Faerch demonstrates how responsible design and resource efficiency can go hand in hand: every tray is made from materials that have already served a life – now renewed to protect food and minimise environmental impact.

Tim Rademacker, Divisional CEO -

“Faerch ensures stability and quality in food packaging by managing the recycling process through Cirrec. This control allows us to secure high standards for raw materials, consistent quality, and reliable supply. Clear and coloured tray rPET offer a stable and sustainable recycled PET source, protecting customers from market volatility and supporting long-term business resilience. With our ambition, we can secure constant supply and stable quality for all PET food packaging applications within the #FaerchGroup.

Looking ahead, Faerch has set an ambitious yet realistic target to achieve 25–30% tray rPET content across its product portfolio by 2026. This long-term goal is integrated into Faerch’s certification processes and reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Achieving this milestone will require continued effort and close collaboration across the value chain. By strengthening its internal consumption of tray #rPET, Faerch aims to provide customers with greater supply stability, quality assurance, and price resilience – supporting them in navigating market fluctuations and emerging regulatory requirements.

source : Faerch

Start-up of the steam cracker at BASF’s Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China

BASF has successfully commissioned the steam cracker at its newly built Verbund site in Zhanjiang in South China as scheduled. This is the first cracker in the world using 100 percent renewable energy to drive its main compressors . 

As the heart of the Verbund, the steam cracker supplies important basic chemicals such as #ethylene and #propylene to multiple plants on site. It is the starting point for many chemical value chains: long chain hydrocarbons such as #naphtha or #butane are cracked with the help of steam. The ethylene capacity amounts to one million metric tons per year. 

“This important milestone at our Zhanjiang Verbund site significantly strengthens BASF’s diversified value chains in China and positions us well to support customers across a wide range of industries,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and Chief Technology Officer.

Moreover, following the recent successful start-up of several propylene downstream plants, #BASF has safely brought into operations the plants for ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol as well as polyethylene. Zhanjiang will be BASF’s third largest Verbund site worldwide after Ludwigshafen and Antwerp and will serve as a model for sustainable production in China and globally. For example, the site will be supplied with electricity that is 100 percent from renewable sources. Products from BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site will mainly supply customers in the Chinese market, the largest and fastest growing chemical market in the world.

source : BASF

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Safety Meets Performance: Discover Microtex Composites's Flame Retardant Epoxy Prepregs

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Safety Meets Performance: Discover Microtex Composites's Flame Retardant Epoxy Prepregs 🔥

In industries where fire resistance is non-negotiable—Aerospace, Automotive and Rail—our Flame Retardant Epoxy Prepregs deliver unmatched protection without compromising strength or versatility.

Microtex Composites has developed specialized epoxy resin systems designed to meet stringent fire safety standards across demanding industries. These systems are engineered to deliver low heat release, minimal smoke toxicity, and excellent mechanical performance under thermal stress.

🚗 X1-304: High-transparency flame retardant epoxy system with excellent FST performance and cosmetic properties. Complies with UL94 V-0 and FAR 25.853 specifications. Third-party certifications available upon request. Typical applications include Automotive & Transportation, Aerospace and Motorsport.

✈️ R3-300: thermosetting epoxy prepreg system engineered for composite components requiring low heat release and smoke toxicity. It offers excellent tack, controlled flow, and is compatible with press cure, autoclave, and oven vacuum bag processes—performing optimally in press cure. Designed for aerospace applications, R3-300 meets FAR 25.853 Appendix F, Parts I, IV, and V fire protection standards. Typical applications include Aerospace, Automotive, and Industrial Sectors.

Whether you're developing lightweight aerospace interiors, automotive components, or precision transportation structures, our flame retardant epoxy prepregs are designed to meet the most demanding FST and mechanical performance standards—without compromising on process efficiency.

💡 Let’s explore how our advanced materials can elevate your next composite innovation.

source :Microtex Composites

#EpoxyPrepregs #composites #flameretardant

WORKPLACE FLOOR MARKINGS : Simple Lines. Clear Rules. Fewer Incidents.

 WORKPLACE FLOOR MARKINGS

Simple Lines. Clear Rules. Fewer Incidents.

Clear floor markings are a visual management tool that improves safety, flow, and discipline on the shop floor. When everyone understands the meaning of colors, risks reduce and productivity improves.

Standard Floor Marking Color Codes:

⬛⬜ Black–White

Keep clear for operations access and critical movement areas

⬛ Black

Work In Progress (WIP) area

⬛🟨 Black–Yellow

Hazard zone – restricted access

🟥⬜ Red–White

Keep clear for safety equipment and emergency access

🟥 Red

Defects, scrap, and red-tag holding area

⬜ White

Designated storage locations for tools and equipment

🟧 Orange

Product on hold for inspection or quality decision

🟩 Green

Finished goods staging area

🟨 Yellow

Aisles, walkways, and traffic lanes

🟦 Blue

Raw material staging area

Why Floor Markings Matter:

✔️ Improve workplace safety

✔️ Reduce accidents and near misses

✔️ Support Lean & 5S principles

✔️ Enhance visual control and discipline

✔️ Improve material flow and efficiency

Simple lines create clear behavior.

Visual clarity on the floor leads to operational excellence.

source :Six Sigma Manfacturing

#quality #qualityassurance #qualitycontrol

You can be the master of your fate

You can be the master of your fate. You can be the captain of your soul.

But you have to realise that life is coming from you, not at you.

Heard this from Timothée Chalamet and now it lives in my head rent free.

Most people live passively.

Things happen. They react. More things happen. They react again.

Always on the back foot. Always pointing at something external.

I used to do this.

↳ When my first business didn't work out, I blamed COVID.

↳ When my health-tech startup didn't take off, I blamed AI.

↳ When I couldn't raise money, I blamed investors for not getting it.

But it's not just business.

↳ Waiting to feel motivated before you start.

↳ Expecting friendships to survive without putting in the work.

↳ Waiting to be happy when you hit the next milestone.

That's passive. Waiting to see what life throws at you, then complaining about it.

Living ACTIVELY is different.

Active is realising you're the source, not the target.

You are the author of your life. Not your circumstances, or your timing, or the people around you.

Once I made that mindset switch, I stopped blaming and started building.

I focused on what I could create, what I could influence, what I could change.

That's exactly why I believe in personal brand.

It's not about followers or going viral.

It's about taking control of how you're seen, what you're known for, and what opportunities come your way.

Instead of waiting to be picked, you position yourself to be found.

Write your own story, or someone else will write it for you.

If this resonated, you'd like Building Leverage. It's our weekly newsletter on taking control of how you're seen and what opportunities come your way.

source : Nader Alnajjar