Film manufacturer Südpack is cooperating with Recenso, a specialist in the realisation of systems for raw material recovery, on chemical recycling. The common goal is to establish chemical recycling for the processing of complex composite films in the packaging industry.
In the area of food packaging, maximum product protection requires the use of composite films consisting of several layers of different polymers. Among other things, they guarantee a long shelf life and low packaging weight. However, mechanical recycling reaches its limits with these materials. The valuable packaging can therefore not be fed into a closed cycle.
Chemical recycling for raw material recovery
The engineers of the Recenso GmbH with headquarters in Remscheid have developed a process with which even mixed plastic fractions can be converted into liquid and universally usable hydrocarbon mixtures. These are then supplied to the chemical industry again as a raw material for the production of high-quality plastics. The systems for direct oiling work according to the CARBOLIQ process and are unique worldwide. A pilot plant on an industrial scale was realised at the Ennigerloh waste disposal centre.
„The design complies with international standards for process engineering plants and serves to test and further develop chemical recycling in Germany.“ Christian Haupts, Managing Director of Recenso GmbH
The recently signed cooperation between Südpack and Recenso aims to convert production-related recyclable materials into high-quality pyrolysis oil on an industrial scale. The pyrolysis oil produced is supplied to the plastics industry as a raw material for the production of high-quality granulates in New goods quality made available. The aim is to use this for the Manufacture of product packaging in sectors with high quality and hygiene requirements such as the food industry.
Investment for a more circular economy
Dirk Hardow signs on behalf of South pack is responsible for the cooperation. He sees the investment in the innovative project „as the first pioneering step towards becoming a manufacturer of high-performance composite materials. significantly to a functioning circular economy in the plastic packaging industry. This is because chemical recycling makes it possible to fulfil the demanding recycling quotas of the EU Plastics Strategy and the German Packaging Act. And thus support our customers in fulfilling current and future market requirements. Südpack is taking on a pioneering role here and will continue to drive this innovation forward through investment in the future.“ Hardow is convinced that „the technology will also prevail in the packaging industry.“
Plastic products made from chemically recycled material can be recycled after use. recycle again. So the more often chemical recycling (with material that has already been chemically recycled) is carried out, the more CO2 is saved, which would otherwise be produced during the refining of crude oil as a resource and the incineration of plastics after use. This is one of the ways in which chemical recycling contributes to closing cycles and reducing greenhouse gases, particularly in the packaging industry.
Source: SÜDPACK VERPACKUNGEN GmbH & Co. KG
