{"id":51731,"date":"2021-11-16T08:57:19","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T07:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=51731"},"modified":"2021-11-19T10:21:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T09:21:58","slug":"switch-to-recycled-material","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/umstieg-auf-recyclingmaterial\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make the switch to recycled material"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The demand for more environmentally friendly packaging is constantly increasing. Politicians are also calling for higher recycling rates. Packaging manufacturers therefore urgently need to use more recycled plastics. Sourcing high-quality recyclates in sufficient quantities can be a challenge - as can processing them. Packaging manufacturers should therefore consider certain steps to ensure that they succeed in making the switch.<\/strong><\/p>

In Germany, 63 per cent of plastic packaging must be recyclable by 2022 according to the Packaging Act. Last year, the rate was still around 55 per cent. For packaging manufacturers, this means that they now have to step up their game and use more recycled materials.<\/strong> However, high-quality recycled material is often not available in sufficient quantities due to decentralised market structures. Raw material shortages and price fluctuations can be the result. However, in order to replace conventional materials with alternatives in production in the long term, a certain Planning security<\/strong>. Manufacturers can increase this if they know at an early stage which secondary materials are suitable for their applications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Find the right material<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Conventional materials can be easily replaced by recycled materials in packaging. These include rPET, rPE, rPP, rPS\/ABS or rCompounds. However, not all recyclates are suitable for every application.<\/strong> In the non-food sector, for example, recycled PET, PE or PP are relevant. They are suitable for films, transport packaging such as pallets or crates, but also for flower pots. rPET is suitable for food contact, but only to a limited extent due to the high material safety; for example, for drinks bottles or vegetable nets.<\/p>

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Developing the right recipe<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is fundamentally important that the recyclates are of a comparable quality to the previously used prime material. The quality must also remain the same for series production. However, because recyclates naturally differ depending on their origin, different batches are homogenised.<\/strong> This means that they are mixed to produce large quantities of consistent quality. Detailed testing and initial sampling is essential.<\/strong> This is a technical process for material characterisation in which it is precisely tested whether recyclates are actually suitable for the intended use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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(Image: Shutterstock \/ Pawarun Chitchirachan)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Every material development starts with a detailed definition of the desired technical properties. The proportions of recyclates, primeware and other ingredients must be harmonised to suit the application.<\/strong> Additives can be added as required to improve the properties.<\/p>