UK – British chemicals company INEOS has launched its ultra-thin, rigid film for recyclable flexible packaging products, made from more than 50% recycled plastic.
According to a news release from Ineos, the company partnered with Germany-based Hosakawa Alpine to use its machine-direction orientation (MDO) technology to process what it calls Recycl-IN resins, which contain 50 percent recycled plastic to make polyethylene films.
Ineos says this new film will be used to manufacture recyclable, single-polymer flexible packaging products that replace hard-to-recycle multimaterial packaging products.
The INEOS Recycl-IN product range compounds recycled plastic waste with highly engineered new resins.
It helps converters and brand owners retain the high quality of their products while increasing recycled content.
Rob Ingram, chief executive, INEOS O&P Europe North said: “We share people’s concerns about plastic waste, showing we can help produce more recyclable end products using large quantities of recycled materials shows our commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
“Now that we’ve proved the concept, we open the door to exploring the application of Recycl-IN and MDO technology to other flexible packaging products where we can make a real difference.”
The announcement follows INEOS’ investment in a new Hosakawa Alpine MDO film line to develop flexible packaging films made from a single polymer family. This approach increases the recyclability of plastic packaging.
Products such as stand-up pouches already provide a convenient, low-carbon solution for transporting everyday goods.
This further development will ensure that packaging can be manufactured from raw materials containing a high percentage of recycled plastic waste and be recyclable in the future.
Recycl-IN resins are also certified as providing a reduction in carbon emissions of between 25 and 50 percent when compared to the use of virgin feedstocks.
In October last year, Ineos and Plastic Energy announced a Memorandum Of Understanding to produce 100,000 tonnes per annum of recycled raw materials from plastic waste.
According to the companies, these new raw materials would enable a circular approach to produce essential plastic items that meet the requirements of demanding food contact and medical applications.
According to Ineos production was to be based in Köln, Germany. Plastic Energy’s patented TA recycling technology would turn difficult-to-recycle plastic waste, otherwise destined for incineration or landfill, into a valuable raw material called Tacoil, a Plastic Energy product that can be used to create virgin-quality polymers.
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