Aachen, im August 2024 – The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) adopted by the EU Parliament in April 2024 sets, among other things, ambitious minimum targets for the percentage of recyclate in new plastic packaging, raising new challenges for industrial recycling technologies. In order to meet the requirements, a significant increase of the percentage of recyclate in contact-sensitive applications like food and cosmetics packaging is mandatory. Chemical recycling processes provide recyclates that meet the quality requirements of such applications. However, the available capacities are far from sufficient to meet the demand. On the other hand, mechanical recycling, as the most energy and material-efficient plastics recycling process, can provide corresponding quantities, but not in the required recyclate quality. Intensive research into both recycling routes will therefore be crucial for the industry.
The Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University (IKV) has therefore initiated the industrial research project “LOOPCYCLING - Advanced mechanical recycling of flexible polyethylenes”. The aim is to push the boundaries of mechanical recycling significantly and to achieve the best possible recyclate qualities by consistently combining the best industrial recycling technologies. Based on existing industrial process technologies, the processes will initially be optimised using common polyolefin sorting fractions (DSD310) from the household collection of packaging waste. A transfer to well-designed mono-materials including upscaling is conducted in parallel. The results will be used to derive future design-for-recycling standards.
LOOPCYCLING considers the entire process chain of mechanical recycling: sorting, shredding, washing, de-inking, compounding with stabilisers, decontamination and odour removal as well as the characterization of recyclates, reprocessing and reuse. Industrial technology providers within the consortium representing each process step ensure that the systems and technologies involved are operational on an industrial scale today. IKV is coordinating the project, carrying out compounding trials and reprocessing tests in its pilot plants and laboratories and contributing its expertise in recyclate characterization.
LOOPCYCLING is designed entirely as an industrial project without public funding, allowing the project to start soon. However, it builds on IKV's findings from previous projects, some of which were publicly funded. The project is scheduled to run for two years and will start in January 2025.
The consortium currently includes technology suppliers such as manufacturers of sorting systems, providers of de-inking technologies, manufacturers of recycling systems, materials and additives and providers of decontamination technologies. Interested recyclers, recyclate processors, packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers are invited to a separate kick-off event on 10 September 2024 at IKV in Aachen.
Project Contact:
IKV - Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)
in in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Achim Grefenstein
Scientific Director Circular Economy
Seffenter Weg 201
52074 Aachen
Phone: +49 241 80-93834
achim.grefenstein@ikv.rwth-aachen.de
Press Contact:
IKV - Institute for Plastics Processing
in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University
Dr. Christine Rüdiger:
Public Relations
Seffenter Weg 201
52074 Aachen
Phone: +49 241 80-96632
christine.ruediger@ikv.rwth-aachen.de
High resolution pictures are available for download along with the press release at
https://www.ikv-aachen.de/en/news/news-details/news/news/detail/ikv-launches-joint-industrial-project-loopcycling-to-improve-industrially-available-ldpe-recyclate-qualities-from-household-pcr/
About IKV
IKV, the Institute of Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University, is Europe-wide the leading research and education institute engaged in the field of plastics processing enjoying outstanding reputation. More than 300 staff are employed in finding solutions to problems connected with processing, materials technology and part design in the plastics and rubber industries. IKV's close contacts with industry and science, together with its outstanding facilities, enable cutting-edge research in plastics technology and ensure that students benefit from a comprehensive, practically oriented course of study. Plastics engineering graduates from IKV are thus sought-after experts in industry. In organisational terms, IKV is divided up into the four specialist departments of Injection Moulding, Extrusion and Rubber Technology, Part Design and Materials Technology, and Composites and Polyurethane Technology. The institute also takes in the Centre for Analysis and Testing of Plastics, and the Training and Further Education department. IKV is run by an Association of Sponsors, which currently has a membership of about 300 plastics companies from all over the world. Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann is Head of the Institute and Managing Director of the Association of Sponsors. He also holds the Chair of Plastics Processing at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University.