Karen Laird

The Hague

Editor, Sustainable Plastics at Crain Communications

Editor of Sustainable Plastics, published by Crain Communications

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Articles

Sustainable Plastics Live June 2025: Policy support is key to meeting recycling goals

5 days ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Karen Laird

In the latest Sustainable Plastics Live discussion, Sustainable Plastics Editor Karen Laird said the recycling sector faces ongoing challenges, citing economic pressure from low-cost virgin resin, policy uncertainty in the U.S., and lagging infrastructure in Europe as major obstacles.
Circularity provisions lacking from EU Clean Industrial State Aid Framework

5 days ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Denmark-headquartered sustainable packaging manufacturer Faerch has joined an alliance of companies, umbrella organisations, and NGOs urging the European Commission to include targeted support for circularity within the draft Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF). Although circularity is recognised as a key pillar of the Clean Industrial Deal, it is remarkably absent from CISAF’s main areas of focus.
Normec OWS, B4Plastics unveil biodegradation pre-screening platform

5 days ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Biodegradability and compostability testing laboratory Normec OWS has partnered with Belgian biomaterials company B4Plastics on the development of a new biodegradation pre-screening platform. The companies announced the launch of the platform, which is set to drastically reduce the time required for testing biodegradable materials, on 3 June.
Borealis makes key appointments in Polyolefins business area

5 days ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Austria-based polyolefins producer Borealis has announced four new appointments to key leadership positions in the commercial area, all reporting directly to Craig Arnold, Executive Vice President (EVP) Polyolefins, Circular Economy Solutions and Base Chemicals.
Vioneo is betting that fossil-free plastics are the future

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Antwerp-based Vioneo , a subsidiary company of A.P. Moller Holding, has been established with one clear goal in mind: to transform plastics production. More specifically, Vioneo aims to manufacture fossil-free plastic resins that significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with plastics production – based on the use of green methanol as feedstock.
Nova Chemicals commissions PE film mechanical recycling facility

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

In July 2023, Nova announced the intention to build the facility and work with Novolex to operate the facility, capitalising on its nearly 20 years of experience in operating plastic film. In 2024, it gained FDA approval to produce post-consumer rLLDPE suitable for food contact, and in April 2025, it was certified for producing 100% post-consumer recycled content by Green Blue, which verifies that the SYNDIGO recycled polyethylene produced at the facility is 100% post-consumer recycled content.
Reusable cup system to make its debut at K 2025

2 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Karen Laird

K 2025 will see the introduction of the first comprehensive reusable cup system at a Messe Düsseldorf event. The pilot program represents a significant effort towards reducing waste from single-use cups at large-scale events. Messe Düsseldorf said it is committed to reducing waste at its large-scale events.
Reusable cup system to be piloted at K 2025

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

K 2025 will see the implementation of the first comprehensive reusable cup system at a Messe Düsseldorf event. The pilot initiative represents a significant effort towards reducing waste from single-use cups at large-scale events. Messe Düsseldorf is committed to reducing waste at its large-scale events. This initiative represents a significant step towards reducing single-use packaging at global exhibitions, aligning with the objectives of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Plant-based colourants start-up Sparxell gets €1.9M European Innovation Council grant

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Cambridge spin-out Sparxell, a pioneer of plant-based colourant technology, has secured a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC), which the company will use to further overcome critical technical barriers in scaling production of its natural colourants. Sparxell has developed proprietary, breakthrough technology to manufacture biodegradable pigments with colourant results that outperform synthetic alternatives, without fossil-based chemicals.
Levidian, Astra Polymers bring graphene products Middle East region

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

Astra Polymers, the Dammam, Saudi Arabia-headquartered plastics additive masterbatch manufacturer and British climate tech startup Levidian have entered into an agreement to explore the development of graphene-enhanced products for the automotive industry and other growing sectors.