Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : New Project to Develop 100% Recyclable Flexible Skinpack Packaging Using rPET

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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The BOTTLE4FLEX project: developing 100% recyclable food packaging:

The European Union’s Circular Economy Strategy stipulates that all plastic packaging in the European Union must be 100% recyclable by 2030. This is a particular challenge for food-contact packaging.


Recycling flexible PET packaging is tricky because it is made up of layers but in Spain, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is the only type authorised for post-consumer recycled content for food packaging.


AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, Covinil and Eroski took up this challenge by launching the BOTTLE4FLEX project which aims to develop 100% recyclable flexible skinpack packaging using rPET. 'Skinpack' is the type of clear packaging which clings closely to the product, so that consumers can actually see what they are thinking of buying while producers and distributers get the benefit of cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Unfortunately, these advantages are offset by a major drawback: since it is made up of layers, it is very difficult to recycle.


Through innovations in chemical recycling and polymerization technologies, the project consortium aims to overcome this drawback. The key will be to develop a single-material film based on rPET. The BOTTLE4FLEX project is focusing on promoting solvolysis processes for recycling and modifying the properties of PET through partial depolymerization. It will also harness innovative technologies such as reactive extrusion, as well as monomers and additives to increase the flexibility of recycled PET.


The research project is funded by Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the EU under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

source:www.circulareconomy.europe.eu

 

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