Wyoming Corporate Headquarters licensed to collect, store and process used tires in Tennessee.

The Tirex Corp., Westport, Conn., has entered into a joint venture agreement with Wyoming Corporate Headquarters (WCH), West Columbia, S.C., to recycle scrap tires collected at WCH’s Tennessee facility. "With the successful collection of scrap tires, this joint venture moves Tirex from its developmental stage to a commercial entity with revenue-generating operations and is just the tip of the iceberg for the expansion of our technology into the market," says John Threshie Jr., president of Tirex. "Since we own 25 percent of the joint venture, revenues to Tirex could be significant in 2012." The engineering construction firm JECC, based in Quebec, will undertake the fabrication and installation of the tire recycling system, estimated to cost $7.5 million. WCH, the majority owner of Altgen LLC, Evanston, Ill., has been awarded a statewide license from the State of Tennessee giving the company the legal right to collect, store and process used and rejected tires at its 100,000-square-foot leased facilities in the Memphis area. Brooks Stanton, CEO of WCH, says the licensure was one of the final critical pieces needed to transition to production. Tirex's TCS-2 tire recycling system has been selected for use at the facility, representing the first commercial installation of a TCS-2 system. "Tennessee generates more than 45,000 tons of scrap tires annually, and we are negotiating, on a county-by-county basis, the collection and recycling fees it generates ranging from $50 to $90 per ton received at collection," Stanton says. "Herculean efforts have gone underway to get Altgen LLC in the position of readiness that we are in today to support the Altgen-Tirex plant in Tennessee," adds Stanton. "I'm excited about the alignment with Tirex because the move not only allows an opportunity to leverage new technology faster, it also creates a strong strategic position for growth and expansion in a timely manner.” Louis Muro, founder of Tirex, says the venture is the culmination of many years of developmental work. “I am delighted to be getting our first commercial system into the marketplace with WCH and Altgen," Muro observes.

Coalition for American Electronics Recycling supports legislation to restrict the export of electronic scrap from the U.S.

The Coalition for American Electronics Recycling (CAER), based in Washington, D.C., has received the endorsement of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) for its support of federal legislation to restrict the export of electronic scrap from the United States. The groups says such action will "spur [the] creation of tens of thousands of jobs through expansion of the domestic recycling industry." In a news release recognizing the endorsement, CAER states, “The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act  addresses two important issues at once: reducing the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing nations and fostering economic and job growth for responsible recycling companies in the U.S.” The act, introduced in June 2011, would restrict obsolete electronics exports to developing countries that, according to CAER, "lack adequate safeguards for the environment and workers."

Companies that support the legislation include Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Apple, Samsung, Best Buy and LG. “The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act addresses two important issues at once: reducing the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing nations and fostering economic and job growth for responsible recycling companies in the U.S.,” says Richard Eidlin, ASBC policy director. “The American Sustainable Business Council sees the Act as another critical step towards reducing the broad health and environmental risks associated with hazardous and toxic chemicals. Communities across the U.S. stand to benefit from the new, high quality jobs that the fledging e-waste will create with passage of this legislation.” John Shegerian, co-founder and president of Fresno, Calif.-based Electronic Recyclers International, says, “Having the support of the prestigious ASBC is yet another reflection of the growing consensus that the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act is good for business and will create much-needed jobs and enhance sustainability. Our members are committed to growing an American industry with the capacity to manage e-waste generated within our borders and the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs in every part of the country.” CAER includes 35 U.S. companies with 89 facilities involved in the electronics recycling industry.

The ASBC says it works to influence the creation of "public policy that acknowledges sustainable and socially responsible businesses and social enterprises."

Icahn’s offer failed to meet the 40 percent threshold.

Icahn Enterprises Holdings (IEH), a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises LP, has announced that its tender offer for the outstanding shares of Commercial Metals Co. (CMC) for $15 per share in cash has expired. With the deadline for approval passing, Icahn Enterprises has decided to drop its bid to acquire CMC. In a statement, Icahn notes that around 23 percent of the shares were tendered to its offer; however, the company was seeking to receive 40.1 percent of the company’s shares to go forward with its bid. “We did not receive 40.1 percent of the shares, and therefore, as previously disclosed, we will discontinue our proxy fight,” says Carl C. Icahn, chairman of the board of Icahn Enterprises. “Since we commenced our proxy fight and launched our tender offer, the company has made a number of promises to shareholders, which shareholders appear to believe will be beneficial to the stock. We respect the views of the shareholders and hopefully their decision not to tender will prove to be the right one,” Icahn continues. In a press release, CMC says, “We are pleased that Mr. Icahn has ended the proxy contest following the expiration of the tender offer. The board has great confidence in the company’s future and believes that the continued execution of its strategic plan, which is already yielding positive results, will deliver enhanced value to our stockholders. We look forward to our upcoming annual meeting where our highly qualified director nominees — Harold Adams, Joe Alvarado and Anthony Massaro — are standing for election to the board. Our board and management remain focused on building on our momentum, and we would like to thank stockholders for their continued support.”

Two-page flyer can be downloaded from the company’s website.

A&A Midwest Recycling, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., has published a new educational flyer to help protect homeowners and businesses from becoming a victim of metal theft. The “Metal Theft Prevention Guide” from A&A Midwest Recycling provides information about steps that can be taken to protect homes and businesses from this common problem. Scott Stolberg, president and CEO of A&A Midwest Recycling, says thieves have been known to steal copper pipes from air conditioning units, plumbing pipes from unfinished construction projects and copper wire from street lamps. “Due to the worldwide demand for metals like copper, thieves are on the prowl for opportunities to commit metal theft against homes and businesses,” explains Stolberg. “While there’s no foolproof way to completely stop criminals, we have put together some practical ideas you can use to give yourself the best chance to avoid becoming a victim.” The guide includes information about commonly stolen items; precautions to follow to protect homes and businesses; how metal theft victims can partner with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and recyclers to help prevent metal theft; prevention guidelines regarding theft by employees; and information on the ISRI Scrap Theft Alert. A&A Midwest Recycling officials say the company works with Las Vegas area businesses to help prevent metal theft. The company purchases aluminum, brass, cast iron, copper or stainless steel scrap metal. In addition, the company purchases engines, transmissions, wheels or radiators as well as whole vehicles or construction equipment. The company also recycles cardboard and aluminum cans. With qualified orders, A&A Midwest Recycling says, the company will pick up these materials at a business location, pay the owner for them and haul them away. To download a copy of the guide, click here, or phone A&A Midwest Recycling at 702-649-7776.  

Larry Burton will focus on identifying opportunities to grow the company.

International Forest Products (IFP), Foxborough, Mass., has named Larry Burton its new vice president of business development. In his position, Burton will work with the company’s different product sales groups to identify and capture incremental opportunities. Prior to joining IFP, Burton was vice president, sales and marketing international with Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. “We are excited to welcome Larry to the IFP family,” says Daniel Kraft, IFP’s president and CEO. “His experience, contacts, and knowledge of the industry are unparalleled and will make him a strong asset to our team.”