MATERIALS | POLYOLEFINS


Right: WIS presented certified recyclates for food use, made using a new process, at K2025


polyolefins, which are based exclusively on post-consumer waste and designed for the most demanding applications. Grades are made from verified PIR and PCR plastic waste streams, helping customers reduce carbon footprints and meet ambitious sustainability targets. “Recleo unites our fit-for-purpose mechanically


recycled grades into a global portfolio and makes sustainability affordable in all applications,” said Dirk Langhammer, VP of circular economy solutions at Borealis.


Polymer expansion At K2025, OQ showed some of the 17 new polymers that it has developed over the last year, for applications in packaging, durables and infrastructure. “This expansion reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that align with what matters to our customers: durability, speed-to-market and operational-efficiency,” said Abdulrahman Al Tamtami, vice president of global marketing at OQ. The 17 new grades include: six PP impact copolymers for rigid packaging (including thin-wall packaging, housewares and durables), with good flow and stiffness-impact balance; and four PP random copolymers with enhanced transparency and organoleptic performance, for housewares, closures, and food containers. They are designed to meet a range of industry


needs, including: packaging that helps reduce food waste and energy consumption; water storage solutions; and transparent, reusable rigid packaging.


Food-grade recyclate WIS Kunststoffe presented several certified recyclates for food use at K2025, which were developed through technical collaboration. A highlight was a new process for making


food-grade polypropylene (PP) recyclate from post- consumer food packaging. In collaboration with KraussMaffei Extrusion, WIS has developed the scalable process that has already received FDA approval for food-contact applications. “The combination of process know-how,


state-of-the-art equipment, and close collaboration was key to this,” said Daniel Römhild, head of development at WIS. A twin-screw extruder used in the process enables gentle processing and ensures high- quality recyclate output. The process can be integrated into existing workflows and creates opportunities for post-consumer recycling in the food sector, it says.


24 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2026


WIS Kunststoffe’s portfolio also includes


regranulates based on PP and PE that are heat- resistant, odour-optimised, and colourable. These meet the demands of various industries, including cosmetics, packaging, automotive and toys, it says. WIS also offers regranulates that meet the


requirements of the US FDA for food contact applications. It says it is the first European recycler to receive FDA approval for recycled polypropylene (rPP) for “all types of food”. This provides validation for applications in sensitive areas such as food packaging and medical technology, it says.


Recyclability boost At the last Thin Wall Packaging conference, organised by AMI, Synco de Vogel – a polymer technologist at Synthomer in Germany – explained how its Plastvance T additive technology can boost packaging recyclability. It aims to overcome the traditional performance challenges that occur when replacing materials like polystyrene (PS) with alternatives such as polypropylene (PP). Plastvance T can modify the melt strength and rigidity of PP to mimic the properties of materials like PS and PET while allowing manufacturers to use existing machinery and processes. PP modified with Plastvance T has been certified by both the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and Cyclos- HTP as fully recyclable. He presented some case studies demonstrating


the material’s versatility. The first focused on replacing PS with PP in thermoforming. “Thermoforming PP is not an easy task, due to sagging and sheet thinning, a narrow temperature window and slower production cycles,” he said.


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: WIS KUNSTSTOFFE


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