Circular Economy News — Week 33

Summary about last week (33)

1. 1. Germany Fast-Tracks Waste Incineration Plants into EU Emissions Trading by 2027 🌍
2. 2. Cement Industry Adopts Recycling of Incineration Ash to Reduce Landfill Dependency by 2024 ♻️
3. 3. New Biological Substitutes for Glass Fibers in Composites: Flax and Hemp 🌿
4. 4. Steel Scrap Market in Germany Faces Price Dip to €300–310 per Tonne in August 2024 📉
5. 5. Scholz Group’s Parent Chiho Expects Profit to Drop to €4 Million in H1 2024 ⚠️
6. 6. Schüttflix Targets €195 Million Revenue by 2025 After €26.4 Million Loss in 2023 🚧
7. 7. Honda and Nissan to Recycle Plastic from Scrapped Cars: Leading the Way in Automotive Sustainability 🚗

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1. Germany to Include Waste Incineration Plants in EU Emissions Trading by 2027 — A Bold Step Towards Climate Goals 🌍

The German government has announced that it will integrate its waste incineration plants into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) starting in 2027, significantly ahead of the broader European timeline. This initiative is designed to accelerate Germany’s progress toward its ambitious climate targets.

• Waste incineration plants across Germany will be included in the EU ETS by 2027, a move that could reshape the financial landscape of the sector.

• The integration is expected to increase operational costs due to the need to purchase emissions allowances.

• This early inclusion supports Germany’s broader environmental policies and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2030 and 2050.

• The policy decision positions Germany as a leader in European climate action, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental challenges.

Conclusion: Germany’s decision to advance the inclusion of waste incineration plants in the EU ETS is a significant step toward achieving its climate goals, highlighting its leadership in European environmental policy.

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2. Turning Incineration Ash into Cement: Sustainable Innovation Reducing Landfill Dependency by 2024 ♻️

The cement industry is pioneering a sustainable innovation by recycling incineration ash into cement, reducing dependency on landfills and lowering carbon emissions.

• Incineration ash, which is typically considered waste, is now being utilized as a key raw material in cement production.

• This recycling process helps divert waste from landfills and significantly reduces the environmental impact of cement manufacturing.

• The initiative is part of broader efforts to foster a circular economy within the construction sector.

• By adopting this method, the cement industry moves closer to achieving its sustainability targets, promoting greener production practices.

Conclusion: Recycling incineration ash into cement is a groundbreaking step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly cement industry, marking a shift towards circular economy practices.

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3. Natural Fiber Substitutes for Glass in Composites: Exploring Flax and Hemp for a Greener Future 🌿

Innovative research is underway to replace traditional glass fibers in composites with sustainable natural fibers like flax and hemp, offering a greener alternative without sacrificing material strength.

• Flax and hemp are being developed as potential replacements for glass fibers in composite materials, offering similar durability.

• The switch to natural fibers can reduce the overall carbon footprint of composite production, aligning with increasing environmental regulations.

• These biological alternatives are still in the early stages of industrial application but show promise for large-scale adoption.

• The move towards natural fibers is driven by both regulatory pressures and consumer demand for more sustainable products.

Conclusion: The shift to natural fiber substitutes in composites could lead to a more sustainable materials industry, with significant environmental benefits on the horizon.

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4. German Steel Scrap Market in August 2024: Prices Dip to €300–310 per Tonne Amid Weak Demand and Supply 📉

The German steel scrap market in August 2024 saw a significant slowdown, with prices for key grades dropping to €300–310 per tonne due to reduced supply and demand during the summer months.

• Prices for HMS 1/2 in northern Germany fell to €300–310 per tonne, reflecting a €20 decline due to weak export demand.

• The Turkish market’s reduced import needs, opting for cheaper Asian billets, contributed to the downward pressure on prices.

• In southern Germany, the scrap demand, especially from Italian mills, remained low, leading to minimal price movements.

• Despite export challenges, domestic prices remained relatively stable due to the scarcity of scrap, preventing further declines.

Conclusion: The German steel scrap market is facing a challenging period, with reduced activity and slightly falling prices likely to continue into September, driven by both domestic and international factors.

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5. Scholz Group’s Parent Chiho Expects Net Profit to Drop to €4 Million in H1 2024 Amid Global Economic Challenges ⚠️

The Chiho Environmental Group, parent company of Scholz, has issued a profit warning, forecasting a sharp decline in net profit to €4 million for the first half of 2024, highlighting the impact of global economic instability.

• Chiho anticipates a net profit of only HK$38 million (approximately €4 million) for H1 2024, a significant drop from HK$50 million in the same period last year.

• The company has faced ongoing financial difficulties, with last year ending in a slight loss, exacerbated by global economic slowdowns and geopolitical tensions.

• The European metal trade, particularly affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and weak economic conditions, saw reduced trading volumes.

• Despite challenges in Europe, Chiho achieved positive revenue growth in Asia, driven by more efficient operations and a lean production strategy.

Conclusion: Chiho’s declining profits underscore the challenges facing the global metal recycling industry, particularly in Europe, amidst ongoing economic and geopolitical turmoil.

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6. Schüttflix Targets €195 Million Revenue by 2025 After €26.4 Million Loss in 2023 — Aiming for Profitability 🚧

Schüttflix GmbH is ambitiously targeting a revenue of €195 million by 2025 after reporting a €26.4 million loss in 2023. The company plans to refocus its strategy to achieve profitability through market expansion and operational efficiency.

• Schüttflix reported a 31% increase in revenue, reaching €113.5 million in 2023, but also faced a significant annual loss of €26.4 million.

• The company’s EBITDA improved by 30% but remained negative at €18.3 million.

• Schüttflix aims to expand into Poland and the Czech Republic, following successful market entry in Austria, with revenue goals of €135 million in 2024 and €195 million by 2025.

• The company received €45 million in fresh capital from investors, boosting its financial stability and supporting future growth.

Conclusion: Schüttflix is determined to overcome its financial challenges and achieve substantial revenue growth by 2025, focusing on core markets and operational improvements to reach profitability.

🔗 source

7. Honda and Nissan to Recycle Plastic from Scrapped Cars — Pioneering Circular Economy in the Automotive Industry 🚗

Honda and Nissan are leading the way in automotive sustainability by launching initiatives to recycle plastic from scrapped vehicles, contributing to a more circular economy and reducing environmental impact.

• The new recycling programs will recover plastic materials from scrapped vehicles and reuse them in the production of new car components.

• This initiative supports the global automotive industry’s goal of reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.

• Recycled plastics will be integrated into various car parts, decreasing the need for new plastic production and conserving valuable resources.

• By implementing these sustainable practices, Honda and Nissan are setting a new standard for the automotive industry.

Conclusion: Honda and Nissan’s commitment to recycling plastics from scrapped cars marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and circular automotive industry, paving the way for future innovations.

🔗 source

more articles:

1. Recycling Realities and Greenwashing Gimmicks: Unveiling the Multi-faceted Nature of Recyclability
2. Navigating CSR Reporting in the EU
3. Waste is not turning into Value
4. Understanding the European Supply Chain Act: A New Era of Corporate Responsibility
5. The Future of the Plastic Industry: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Mattersdorfer
I would call myself a person who is interested in entrepreneurship, sustainability, knowledge-sharing and probably a few other things. I summed up my “big 5 for life” (very much recommend the book, if you do not know it) on my website (👇). After setting up some start-ups in the area of circular economy, combined with continuous curiosity, I decided to share some learnings, thoughts and questions here regularly. I would be happy if you let me know, what you think about them. Cheers!

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