Karen Laird

The Hague

Editor, Sustainable Plastics at Crain Communications

Editor of Sustainable Plastics, published by Crain Communications

Featured in: Favicon

crain.com

newsbreak.com Favicon

plasticsnews.com Favicon

plasticstoday.com Favicon

rubbernews.com Favicon

sustainableplastics.com Favicon

plasticsnewseurope.com Favicon

biobasedpress.eu

Articles

Recycling targets: will the tide turn on time?

1 week ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

A new report on the state of play in the HDPE & PP rigids market in Europe analysing the production, collection, and recycling of HDPE and PP rigids in 2023 paints a picture of a troubled industry. If the targets set down in the PPWR are to be met, considerable growth and investment in production capacity and recyclate quality are needed. However, this will not happen if the major challenges currently facing the industry fail to be addressed.
Borealis triples net income in 2024

2 weeks ago | sustainableplastics.com | Karen Laird

The year 2023 was one of the most difficult for the polyolefins industry in memory, said Borealis’ CEO Stefan Doboczky. Yet in 2024, Borealis' top line increased by over 10%, net income mushroomed from €159 million in 2023 to €566 million a year later, and operating profit improved by €300 million. Stefan Doboczky, who was appointed CEO in July 2024, explained in an online interview with Sustainable Plastics how the company was able to rally in such a comparatively short time.
Sustainable Plastics Live June 2025: Policy support is key to meeting recycling goals

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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).