FRANCE – French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company, TotalEnergies has joined the Nextloopp initiative to accelerate the feasibility of advanced mechanical recycling projects targeting food contact.
Launched in October 2020 by Nextek Ltd, Nextloopp is a global multi-participant and award-winning project with the objective to produce high-quality recycled polypropylene that is suitable for food-grade applications and made from post-consumer packaging material.
The initiative deploys modern technology to efficiently and cost-effectively sort food-grade polypropylene (PP) from post-consumer material and then decontaminate the polymer to comply with stringent food-grade standards.
TotalEnergies says it is committed to developing a circular economy for plastics and meeting the growing customer demand for high-quality recycled polymers.
The company’s recent launch of three low-carbon polymers, branded RE:use, RE:build and RE:newable, is based on polymers from recycled material or bio-feedstock.
Nathalie Brunelle, vice president of polymers at TotalEnergies said: “We are delighted to join and support the Nextloopp project alongside other major industry players.
“This initiative will allow us to go one step further in developing technologies to produce food-grade recycled material from advanced mechanical recycling and broaden our options for projects that contribute to our ambition to produce 30% circular polymers by 2030.”
Nextloopp recently completed a landmark study of background contamination of post-consumer PP packaging for its submissions to food safety authorities in Europe, the US and the UK.
Edward Kosior, founder and CEO of Nextek and Nextloopp, says: “The whole of the Nextloopp project is strengthened by TotalEnergies’ adding to the program its extensive technical capabilities in creating circular solutions for PP resins.”
“They contribute to the growing body of expertise in controlling the properties and formulation of their range of both virgin and recycled PP for a myriad of applications.
In August last year, Nextloopp completed a trial with UK-based packaging producer PFF Group centered on producing a 350 g Desto banderole pot, typically used in hot fill applications such as porridge, where PP is employed for its ability to cope with high temperatures.
Meanwhile, Nextek is a global sustainability and technology consultancy that offers strategic advice to regional and multi-national organizations and recycling companies.
Launched in 2004, the firm researches and develops innovative strategies and processes within the recycling ecosystem – from designing recycling plants to developing ground-breaking projects for governments and major organizations.
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