Fernholz Verpackungen from Meinerzhagen is working with LyondellBasell and a machine manufacturer to test the use of chemically recycled plastics in series production.
Sustainability, resource conservation and innovative product development are increasingly characterising the plastic packaging industry. Fernholz Verpackungen has established itself as a specialist for yoghurt pots, trays and lids using processes such as injection moulding, thermoforming and film extrusion. The latest development work centres on the use of recycled and bio-based plastics to make packaging more environmentally friendly.
Chemical recycling as a technology of the future
In cooperation with LyondellBasell, a test series was carried out in which films made from chemically recycled polypropylene (rPP) were processed on the basis of CirculenRevive technology. This technology makes it possible to break down plastic waste that is difficult to recycle into its molecular components and thus reintroduce it into the material cycle as a raw material.
For the practical test, Fernholz developed a special rPP film with a recycled content of 10 per cent. The aim was to produce a plastic cup under real production conditions and to test the processability of the material.
Same process parameters, same quality
The result was positive: The film could be processed without adjusting the production parameters. The thermoforming process was identical to conventional materials, proving that chemically recycled plastics can have the same performance characteristics as virgin material. The results and the resulting cup were presented to a specialist audience at the „K“ trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Impetus for sustainable packaging solutions
With this project, Fernholz is emphasising its role as an innovation partner to the industry. Through continuous investment in research and development, the company has succeeded in reducing material usage and film thicknesses while at the same time ensuring that used packaging is returned to the cycle - while maintaining the same product quality, it says.
Source: Fernholz
