Polypropylene has long been in the shadow of its recycling capabilities. Despite an annual production of around 80 million tonnes, less than one percent is recycled. At this year's Packaging Innovations & Empack, Prevented Ocean Plastic (POP) has now presented the first mechanically recycled, food-safe polypropylene (rPP) that meets European standards.
The challenge was to divert polypropylene back into applications that drive the highest demand, particularly in the food sector. Previously, recycled polypropylene was mostly downcycled into lower-value applications, which did not reduce the demand for new material for high-quality packaging. By complying with EU Regulation 2022/1616, POP, together with its partners, has created a new incentive for collection and reuse.
Raffi Schieir, Director of Prevented Ocean Plastic, describes this advancement as a significant step for responsible supply chains. „We can now use mechanically recycled polypropylene in food-safe end products, which was previously impossible,“ explained Schieir. This opens up new possibilities for high-quality, sustainable packaging.
The mechanics behind progress
POP's success is based on a franchise model for collecting plastic waste in vulnerable coastal areas before it reaches the sea. This model is already being implemented in Indonesia through collection centres supported by Danone Aqua and is intended to be replicated in other high-risk regions with limited infrastructure.
The key lies in controlled collection and ensuring consistent input quality. POP invests in the sorting and adaptation of raw materials to enable the food-safe use of recycled polypropylene. The material is already used in various formats, including flexible applications.
Demand is crucial
Another crucial aspect is demand. According to ICIS data, demand for recycled polypropylene could increase to over one million tonnes per year by 2030. Currently, the production capacity for POP is around 10,000 tonnes per year, and demand already exceeds supply tenfold.
Source: Easyfairs
