• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Slitter-Rewinders

    Ink Innovation

    CELAB striving to curb industry’s recycling issue

    Nutraceutical Labels

    Narrow Web Profile: Apogee Industries
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays

    SATO America acquires Stafford Press

    Pure Protein unveils fresh new look

    Overnight Labels receives Safe Quality Food certification

    ABG and Maan Engineering form linerless labeling partnership
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    EskoWorld promotes networking, inspiration in Orlando

    EskoWorld promotes intelligent automation of packaging

    Labelexpo Europe moves to Barcelona in 2025

    Beontag's Scandstick announces new senior leadership team
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses

    Meyers joins Sustainable Packaging Coalition

    Paul Edwards joins INX as Digital Division VP
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses

    Abbey Labels adds three ABG finishing machines

    BW Flexible Systems to hold ribbon-cutting event for Minnesota facility

    Label-form adds another Durst digital press

    Imageworx to host grand opening event for new Innovation Center
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    Colored By INX Can Design Contest entries due

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Awards
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Martin Automatic Inc.

    Wilson Manufacturing

    HEIDELBERG USA

    Epson America, Inc.

    Meech International
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Letters From The Earth

    This is not about China

    ...

    Calvin Frost02.01.19
    Wow, a flurry of emails from you regarding my last column on Chinese domination of the solar industry. And, most recently, the controversy surrounding the arrest of Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, of Huawei. Lots of spirited comments, but at least no hate mail . . . yet. Many of you believe that China has exploited Western technology, stealing intellectual property. No doubt there is some truth to this, but I have a more benign view. Here’s what I’ve observed since my first visit to China in the late 1970’s, some 40 years ago: I have seen a definite increase in average income, education level, and Chinese developed technology.  To this end, Chinese President Xi Jinping has supported and endorsed what the National People’s Congress call “MIC2025.”  This is an industrial policy that sets goals to boost growth with funding and incentives created to help achieve these goals. MIC2025 has created 10 focus sections that will help it reach domestic competency so it, China, will be self-sufficient.  The sections include:
    • New energy vehicles
    • High-tech ship components
    • New and renewable energy equipment
    • Industrial robots
    • Higher-performance medical devices
    • Large tractors and harvesters
    • Mobile phone chips
    • Wide-body aircraft
    In many ways, reaching these goals in a totalitarian political culture is far easier than in a democracy.  In other words, “Do it, don’t argue!” Right or wrong, this is where China is headed. With a population of 1.4 billion and a government supporting individual income growth and government supported company technological development, there is no question, in my mind, that they will reach these goals. Note, by the way, that two of those focus points are energy related.  Without question, the Chinese recognize that they must correct the imbalance in climate change, caused by enormous growth in industrial output using fossil energy.  Two other points:

    Overseas education and job experience have risen dramatically.  More Chinese families are sending their children overseas to study.  80% of the students return to China, transferring intellectual property from the West to China.  As long as this continues, we will continue to Americanize China. According to China’s Education Ministry, nearly 600,000 Chinese students studied overseas in 2016. This increased from 180,000 in 2008!

    And, number two, China has pumped 800 billion Renminbi (6.7 to the USD) in subsidies to help China reach its MIC2025 goals.  This is serious money in terms of investment in research and development.  A great example is Huawei in Shenzhen and their work on inverters that harness the sun’s energy. Some of your emails criticized my praise of Huawei.  Let’s be clear. I was and am incredibly impressed by their development of an inverter which converts solar energy (DC, direct current) into AC (alternative current) that can be fed into our power grid at a reasonable cost.  This is a game changer in my opinion.  This reduces climate change.

    However, if Huawei has supported trade with Iran and/or violated financial sanctions that are in place with Iran, they should be prosecuted. Huawei is such an enormous company and has so many moving parts, it is hard to put the pieces into one package. I praised Huawei for their contribution and development of technology that will help us reduce our dependence on fossil energy, not for violating sanctions.

    Finally, I’m not defending China’s economic policy or the methods they employ to reach their objectives. All I’m saying is, “It’s happening.”  I’m also saying that their government believes that climate change is a major problem, hence their focus on renewable energy and their financial support of companies like Huawei. This leads me to what this column is supposed to be about: Another form of renewable energy, WTE, waste-to-energy. I believe there is as much opportunity for renewable energy from WTE as there is from solar and wind. Let me first start with a breakdown of the waste industry here in the United States. At the end of 2017 the waste infrastructure looked as follows:

      Landfills    1,908
      WTE Facilities      76
      Anaerobic Digestion    25
      Composting               2,300
      Material Recycling Facilities (MRF)  586
      Hybrid MRF    70
      Curbside Recycling   3,350
      (Source – Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.)

    Keep in mind that each of the above facilities will vary in size, capability and age.  So, to be sure, this is nothing more than a snapshot of the waste business, dominated by two or three large companies, Waste Management and Republic.  The above infrastructure handled between 350 – 400 million tons of solid waste in 2017, with at least 200 million tons, or half, being landfilled. Based on these numbers, it would seem to me that there’s an enormous opportunity to divert and use this material as feedstock for energy.  This undoubtedly would reduce CO2 and methane emissions, which create climate change.

    Waste to energy is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source.  WTE is a form of energy recovery.  Naturally, the world’s largest WTE facility is being built in, where else, but in Shenzhen, China, right down the street from Huawei. The point here in the US is that even with gasification, anaerobic digestion, and a variety of other diversion opportunities, we’re still landfilling over 200 million tons a year of a potential feedstock for energy. 

    Our own industry has several truly successful renewable energy stories. One of these, Convergen Energy of Green Bay, has developed a business model that “produces renewable fuels and power for sustainable business.” This company has closed the loop on waste and renewable energy, creating a true circular economy. Convergen Energy is producing an alternative fuel that can be sold as a cost competitive substitute for coal and other fossil fuels.  Their plant in Green Bay, WI has the capability of producing 120,000 tons per year of an engineered fuel in the form of a fuel pellet.  The feed stocks for their pellets are non-recyclables like matrix and flexible packaging byproduct.  The pellets are delivered to a Convergen Energy owned partner in L’Anse, Michigan, Warden Electric Company.  This facility is rated as a 20 megawat power plant.  The energy that is generated is defined as renewable and is sold to the grid. If we consider Convergen on the basis of a circular economy, it looks like this:  Non-recyclable feedstock is diverted from the landfill and processed into a fuel pellet –> the pellets, defined as non-waste and renewable, are delivered to Warden Electric, where they are used as a feedstock to create renewable energy, which is then sold to the grid.  The converter that generated the non-recyclable feedstock in the first place could buy renewable energy from the grid, some of which the converter had generated in the first place.  Hence, you have closed the loop and created a circular economy.  The Convergen Energy pellets burn cleaner than coal. 

    I am delighted to end this first column with such a positive success story. This has nothing to do with China. It supports renewables and allows for landfill avoidance. Good luck to Convergen Energy in the years to come. It is another example of a successful waste-to-energy application.

    Another Letter from the Earth.


    Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is
    cfrost@channeledresources.com.
    Related Searches
    • calvin frost
    • waste
    • first
    • change
    Suggested For You
    ProPoint goes linerless with new Ravenwood coater ProPoint goes linerless with new Ravenwood coater
    Study says non-recycled paper is better for the climate Study says non-recycled paper is better for the climate
    Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets
    Make labels do more to inform, inspire customers Make labels do more to inform, inspire customers
    Introducing Jamie Mackay, PIA Introducing Jamie Mackay, PIA's new PE Director, Environmental, Health & Safety Affairs
    Taking responsibility Taking responsibility
    KernowPrint Elite products drive sustainability KernowPrint Elite products drive sustainability
    SGP to hold "Saving Dollars in 2019" webinar SGP to hold "Saving Dollars in 2019" webinar
    Sun Chemical partners with HAVI Sun Chemical partners with HAVI
    The sword and the substrate The sword and the substrate
    Lundberg Tech introduces WasteBagCut Lundberg Tech introduces WasteBagCut
    China China's Jindali partners with Weldon to enter Indian shrink sleeve label market

    Related Breaking News

    • Europe | Food Labels | Substrates | Sustainability

      ProPoint goes linerless with new Ravenwood coater

      The ‘non-plastic’ supplier to the fresh food market will supply the UK and Ireland with linerless labels.
      05.24.19

    • Substrates | Sustainability

      Study says non-recycled paper is better for the climate

      The Swedish Environmental Research Institute's finding's show paper based on fresh fiber has a lower environmental impact than recycled paper.

    • Asia | China
      Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets

      Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets

      The company has formed a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE) in China, allowing it to sell and service products directly to customers in the region.
      04.25.19


    • Make labels do more to inform, inspire customers

      ...
      Mark Lusky 04.05.19

    • Digital Printing | Finishing | Flexography | Prepress | Sustainability

      Introducing Jamie Mackay, PIA's new PE Director, Environmental, Health & Safety Affairs

      "I look forward to working with print companies to help dispel the fears around EHS management."
      Jamie Mackay 03.15.19

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • Beontag's Scandstick Announces New Senior Leadership Team
    • Labelexpo Europe Moves To Barcelona In 2025
    • Mactac Grows Business With Acquisition Of Label Supply
    • Avery Dennison Names Five More Startups For AD Stretch Accelerator Program
    • Avery Dennison Explores Benefits Of Linerless Labels
    Breaking News
    • Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter
    • Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays
    • Sandon Global joins FINAT
    • S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications
    • BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    April 2023

    • Slitter-Rewinders
    • Ink Innovation
    • CELAB striving to curb industry’s recycling issue
    • Nutraceutical Labels
    • Narrow Web Profile: Apogee Industries
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification
    Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion
    Verdure Sciences’ Boswellia Ingredient Receives USP Verification
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    OQ Chemicals Launches Cost-Cutting Program and Organizational Realignment in Germany
    BASF Strengthens R&D with More Powerful Supercomputer
    Safic-Alcan Expands its Presence in Africa with the Launch of Safic-Alcan East Africa in Kenya
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Vascular Surgeon Imprisoned and Fined for Decade-Long Healthcare Fraud
    Remote Monitoring, Digital Health Help Advance Wound Care Treatment
    MLM Biologics Developing Wound Infection Prevention Device for Military
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Catalent Adds New Cryogenic Capabilities at Japanese Facility
    Lifecore Biomedical Enters into $150M New Financing Deal
    WuXi Biologics Receives 2023 ISPE Facility of the Year Award
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    How Robots & Artificial Intelligence are Transforming Unilever's Material Innovation Factory
    Top 10 Most Popular Hair Care Brands in the U.S.—Ranked by Searches
    Aloette Cosmetics Launches Daily Mineral Shield Sunscreen
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Mielle Organics Taps Angel Reese as New Ambassador
    Winnie Harlow’s Cay Skin Launches Isle Nourishing Body Mist SPF 50
    Hair Products Market to Grow by $19.4 Million During 2022-2027: Technavio
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Weekly Recap: INX Digital, Mexar and hubergroup Top This Week’s Stories
    Richnerstutz AG Acquires an EFI VUTEk Q5r Superwide Roll-to-Roll Printer
    BASF Strengthens Its R&D with More Powerful Supercomputer
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter
    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays
    Sandon Global joins FINAT
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Suominen Appoints SVP, Transformation Management Office
    Minnesota Signs PFAS Ban in Consumer Products
    Domtar Celebrates Airlaid Nonwovens Expansion
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    AlloSource Launches AlloMend Duo Acellular Dermal Matrix
    TendoNova Inks Partnership With AcCELLerated Biologics
    Stryker Achieves First Surgeries Using Q Guidance System with Cranial Guidance Software
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: Smart Skis, Universal Display Top This Week’s Stories
    Wiliot Appoints Antony Yousefian as VP of Climate & Circularity
    HID Unveils Eco-friendly Bamboo Access Cards

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login