Composite plastic packaging consists of several overlapping layers that are almost impossible to separate but can only be recycled separately. Camm Solutions has developed a sustainable solution to this problem: Camm Recycling Enabler connects the packaging layers, acts as an effective seal and dissolves in the recycling process.
One method of producing plastic packaging or bottles is blow moulding. The plastic often consists of several layers. One of these is the barrier layer, which serves as an oxygen, grease and oil barrier and protects the contents from environmental influences, for example to make packaged foodstuffs more durable. EVOH is a barrier material frequently used for this purpose.
„The problem here is that multi-layer packaging often cannot be recycled using conventional recycling technologies. The layers are firmly bonded together and can therefore only be separated with great effort - which would be necessary for high-quality recycling. The CAMM layer, on the other hand, dissolves during the recycling process. This means that plastics and other materials can be separated after use and recycled without any problems.“
Nanda Bergstein, Managing Director at Camm Solutions
The Camm Recycling Enabler can replace EVOH, among other things, as an intermediate barrier layer and thus effectively prevent the permeability of fats, oils or oxygen. The Camm material dissolves easily in water during the recycling process, with which the different packaging layers can be cleanly separated - and that with standard recycling technologies. The outer and inner layers can be almost completely recycled.
„Our material has excellent barrier and sealing properties and can be processed on standard machines“, explains Bergstein. „It can also can simply be added as a separating layer, to enable the recycling of multi-layer plastic packaging and thus promote recyclability.“ This is exactly what the EU Packaging Regulation requires: by 2030, all packaging offered in the EU must be recyclable. „Globally, only nine per cent of all plastics are recycled. We want to change this with our Camm Recycling Enabler and at the same time make a significant contribution with our internationalisation strategy.“
Source: Camm Solutions
