MATERIALS | MULTI-LAYER PACKAGING
Film recycling UK-based Interface Polymers and Flexipol have received funding to finance a 24-month project that aims to develop recyclable LDPE multi-layer packaging that can be upcycled into higher value applications. The £850,000 (US$1 million) grant is for the
project ‘Recycle Ready’ – and is supplied by UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging challenge. The project brings together Interface Polymers’
Polarfin additive technology – which overcomes inherent molecular level non-compatibility be- tween polyolefins, enabling them to be recycled – and Flexipol’s film technology expertise and flexible packaging manufacturing capabilities. Using Interface’s di-block copolymer additive,
the project is looking to make recyclability an integral part of commercial packaging formula- tions. The project aims to develop multi-layer packaging that can be recycled via existing pure stream reprocessing centres – instead of being incinerated or sent to landfill. Interface says that previous research showed
that Polarfin acts like a toughening agent, providing equivalent – or better – mechanical properties than
the original 100% virgin polymer formulation. “We are confident that we can develop a range
of recyclable, food-approved, multi-layer barrier products with no anisotropy issues, which can be reprocessed multiple times into high-value recycled product applications,” said Tim Clayfield, application development leader at Interface Polymers. The food packaging sector was selected for
three reasons: producers and retailers know the performance benefits of multi-barrier layer plastic film packaging; the sector is well-served by the existing recycling infrastructure in the UK; and Flexipol has well established supply chain links with both recycling and packaging companies. As well as working on film qualification and
production scale-up, Flexipol will work with bulk food processors – to ensure that the whole value chain is included in the project.
Staying solvent A pan-European research project, called Multicycle, has moved closer towards commercialising the CreaSolv process – which could be used to recycle multi-layer packaging.
Improve plastic sheet and rigid food packaging
■ Anti-block agents ■ Anti-static agents ■ Anti-fog agents
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