Jan 28, 2019

Lehigh Technologies honored at Davos gathering U.S.-based tire and rubber recycler earns Circular Economy honors at World Economic Forum. Tucker, Georgia-based Lehigh Technologies  has been selected as the winner of the Young Global Leaders Award for Circular Economy SME (small-to-medium-sized enterprises), held in conjunction with the 2019 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The award was presented as part of The Circulars 2019, the fifth edition of those awards. Lehigh says it was recognized by organizers “for its continued work upcycling end-of-life tire materials into micronized rubber powder (MRP), a sustainable, lower-cost, high performing and customizable feedstock for industrial and consumer markets.” MRP is used as an additive in a range of consumer and industrial products, including tires. Lehigh says its business model involves closing the loop on tire production, ensuring sustainability and stability in manufacturing costs for the tire industry and reducing dependence on oil-based chemicals. “This recognition properly underscores Lehigh’s dedication to the growing role of the circular economy across many sectors across the world,” states Lehigh CEO Paul Crehan. “Our unique value proposition has enabled our rapid growth over the past decade, and we’re happy to see that [award] organizers are acknowledging the trend.” Following a recent plant expansion in Navarra, Spain, Lehigh says it plans to expand into new international markets and improve the circular economy for tires and other applications. Lehigh’s France-based parent company Michelin Group also intends to adopt MRP globally for multiple applications, according to Lehigh. Tires made with Lehigh’s MRP have consumed more than 20 million passenger car tire equivalents (PTEs) in the previous 10 years. To date, Lehigh’s products have been used to manufacture more than 500 million tires using what Lehigh calls a circular model. MRP also can be used as a replacement for fossil-fuel based raw materials in other applications, including construction, asphalt and plastics, says the firm. “Consumers, employees, stakeholders and policymakers alike expect companies to lead with purpose around sustainability and are holding them accountable,” remarks Peter Lacy, a senior managing director with consulting firm Accenture Strategy , a sponsor of the awards. “Inaction or idleness can severely harm competitiveness, with a drop in stakeholder trust costing businesses globally $180 billion in potential revenues. Moving to a circular economy delivers the disruptive change needed to secure a sustainable future, while enabling businesses to unlock innovation and growth.” The Circulars is an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders in collaboration with Accenture Strategy and has been designed to recognize individuals and organizations dedicated to pushing the circular economy forward. Its SME category specifically recognizes small-to-medium-sized enterprises. Global crude steel production reached 1,808.6 million metric tons in 2018, an increase of 4.6 percent compared with production in 2017, according to figures reported by the World Steel Association ( Worldsteel ), Brussels. The organization says the European Union was the only area to post a reduction in steel production, falling 0.3 percent compared with 2017. China’s share of global crude steel production increase to 51.3 percent in 2018 from 50.3 percent in 2017. The country’s production reached 928.3 million metric tons for the year, growing by 6.6 percent relative to 2017’s production figure, Worldsteel reports. The Asia region produced 1,271.1 million metric tons of steel in 2018, an increase of 5.6 percent compared with 2017. India’s crude steel production for 2018 was 106.5 million metric tons, 4.9 percent more than in 2017. Worldsteel says India has replaced Japan as the world’s second largest steel producing country as a result. Japan produced 104.3 million metric tons in 2018, 0.3 percent less than in 2017. South Korea produced 72.5 million metric tons of crude steel in 2018, an increase of 2 percent compared with 2017. The European Union produced 168.1 million metric tons of crude steel in 2018, according to Worldsteel, a decrease of 0.3 percent compared with 2017. Italy was the only country in the EU to post a production gain. The country produced 24.5 million metric tons of crude steel in 2018, growing 1.7 percent compared with 2017. Germany produced an estimated 2 percent less crude steel for the year compared with 2017 at 42.4 million metric tons. France produced 15.4 metric tons of crude steel, a decrease of 0.7 percent from 2017, while Spain produced 14.3 million metric tons, 0.1 percent less than the country made in 2017. Crude steel production in North America was 120.5 million metric tons in 2018, an increase of 4.1 percent from 2017’s production. Worldsteel says the U.S. accounted for 86.7 million tons of that production, which was 6.2 percent more than it made in 2017. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) produced 101.3 million metric tons, or 0.3 percent more than in 2017. Worldsteel estimates Russia contributed 71.7 million tons to that total in 2018, 0.3 percent more than in 2017. Ukraine, on the other hand, saw its production decline by 1.1 percent to 21.1 million metric tons. Worldsteel says annual crude steel production for South America was 44.3 million metric tons in 2018, an increase of 1.3 percent compared with 2017. Brazil produced 34.7 million metric tons for the year, which was 1.1 percent more than in 2017. The Middle East produced 38.5 million metric tons in 2018, an increase of 11.7 percent relative to 2017. Iran produced an estimated 25 million metric tons, Worldsteel says, 17.7 percent more than in 2017. The organization says Turkey’s crude steel production for 2018 was 37.3 million metric tons, 0.6 percent less than in 2017. Waste Management , Houston, has announced it earned an A grade this year from the environmental non-profit CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) for the depth and quality of climate change data it discloses to investors and the global marketplace. CDP’s 2018 Climate A List places Waste Management among a competitive group of companies from around the world identified as leaders in their efforts to combat climate change. While nearly 7,000 businesses disclosed their environmental performance on climate change through the CDP this year, only 127 earned an A rating. The rating acknowledges the company’s actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop a low-carbon economy in the past CDP reporting year. “We are honored to be recognized among this vanguard of companies taking strategic action to preserve our environment,” says Jim Fish, the president and chief executive officer of Waste Management. “Our commitment to annual disclosure of our carbon footprint is key to our work with employees and customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ways that benefit both the environment and the economy.” Waste Management has been included in CDP’s survey results since 2004, and this is the third year in a row that Waste Management has achieved a position on CDP’s Climate A List. The Climate A List and full company scores are available on CDP’s website. Sebastian Schuelke, who manages Hilchenbach-based Sicon , an engineering and plant building company engaged in environmentally efficient recycling plants for the scrap and steel industry, accepted an excellence award for Sicon’s end-of-life vehicle shredder, EcoShred Compact . In his acceptance speech, Schuelke said, “Mid-sized companies in Germany contribute an important part to the German economy. With current world population exceeding seven billion, recycling and recovery of materials from waste is one of the most important ecological challenges of our time.” Sicon’s EcoShred Compact end-of-life vehicle shredder is a fully automated machine made in Germany. Schuelke accepted the award from jury member Dr. Birte Gall at the 2019 Excellence Award ceremony Thursday in Frankfurt, Germany. “We are tremendously proud and happy to have been chosen to receive this prize,” Schuelke said. “This award confirms our continuous efforts and serves as a much-appreciated signal to the entire team, the region as well as a valuable message to our partners and customers.” The award recognizes “outstanding business achievements.” The ceremony was attended by top managers, start-up entrepreneurs as well as many other public figures from different industries. Awards were given to 63 winners in 26 categories. Awarded winners were selected based on presented ideas by high-ranking members of business, media and sciences from more than 150 applicants. The award is endorsed by Wolfgang Clement, former minister president of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and former federal minister. The Florida Recycling Partnership , Tallahassee, Florida, partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Keep Florida Beautiful , Tallahassee, and other recycling stakeholders in the state for Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol on Jan. 24 to remind legislators and the public about the importance of recycling. “The Florida Recycling Partnership is pleased to partner with FDEP and other key stakeholders to promote recycling during our Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol,” said Dawn McCormick, board chair of the Florida Recycling Partnership, during the event. “To improve recycling throughout the state and recycle only the right materials in our curbside residential programs, takes the cooperation of many of us as we strive to educate our residents about proper recycling.” During the event, the Florida Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP) launched. The program, which is sponsored by the American Chemistry Council , Washington, D.C., is designed to boost plastic bag and film recycling, increase demand for recycled plastics and provide education on how film recycling can benefit Florida’s communities. To date, Alachua, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange and Seminole counties have agreed to participate in the WRAP program, along with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach, Emerald Coast Unities Authority, the city of Jacksonville and the city of Tampa. “We are very pleased that Florida has become a WRAP partner,” said Shari Jackson, director of the Flexible Film Recycling Group, during the event. “WRAP will provide tools and best practices to support DEP’s community outreach and education efforts to increase the recycling of plastic film packaging.” FDEP also presented a Recycling Recognition Award to Northrop Grumman , Falls Church, Virginia, for its recycling efforts during the event. “DEP is pleased to recognize entities like Northrop Grumman that demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection by implementing environmentally friendly practices and identifying innovative ways to recycle,” said FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein at the event. “We are also pleased to join our partners in launching the WRAP initiative, which aims to reduce curbside recycling contamination through education, and provides Florida’s residents with even more recycling opportunities. Through these efforts, and with the help of our partners, together we can ensure Florida’s natural resources are protected and continue achieving more now for Florida’s environment.” Valenstein also accepted the 2018 Sustainability Game Changer Partnership Award at the event. The Florida Recycling Partnership, Waste Management Inc. of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Beverage Association partnered to win the award from the National Waste & Recycling Association , Washington, D.C. According to a Florida Recycling Partnership news release, the award recognizes partnerships that include municipal and county governments, regulatory agencies, community organizations and private industry that have successfully implemented game-changing initiatives, policies or programs that advance sustainability in their community. For the 2018 award, these public and private organizations worked together on three recycling educational programs, including the “Rethink. Reset. Recycle.” Campaign at FloridaRecycles.org; the Capitol Complex Recycling Project and Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol. “Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol is our signature event,” says Keyna Cory, executive director for the Florida Recycling Partnership. “This past year we were able to announce the new collaborative educational program, Rethink. Reset. Recycle. campaign and the Capitol Complex Recycling Project.”