RECYCLING | INNOVATION
Smoothing the way for greater use of recyclates
Collaboration across the plastics industry is facilitating the increased use of recycled materials in injection moulding. Mark Holmes finds out more about joint projects and new products
The expansion of the circular economy is driving further use of recycled plastics in the injection moulding industry. However, many issues need to be considered and collaboration throughout the value chain is essential. This extends from effective collection and characterisation of recylates to plastic resin manufacturers working closely with their customers to ensure that materials can meet the needs of the application. Compounds contain- ing recyclates are being developed that can enhance the performance of recycled plastics in injection moulded objects and innovation in technology is also making the use of recycled materials more effective and widespread. New guidelines for benchmarking of high-quali-
ty recycled plastics and the characterisation of recyclates have been published to help boost the use of recycled materials. The scientifically ground- ed guidance from Plastics Recyclers Europe is a benchmark for the quality of recycled plastics. The documents’ over-arching aim is to advance the quality and enhance the demand for recyclates. It also addresses the issues of lack of harmonisation and transparency in the recycling market. Quality of a recyclate is defined and impacted at each stage of the value chain starting with production, use, col-
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lection, sorting and finishing with recycling. Recyclates characterisation guidance serves as an evaluation tool for recycled materials by providing a basis for assessing their quality in accordance with best practices, as well as the well-established European and international standards. This assessment is geared to benefitting the whole value chain by firstly promoting high standards among recyclers and subsequently increasing the confidence in the quality of these materials among converters and brand owners. “As the industry works towards establishing a
strong secondary raw materials market, standard- ised and reliable practices in the supply of input and output recycled materials is a must,” says Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. “Recyclates characterisation guidelines are the first step in this process and we encourage the industry players to apply the principles laid down in these documents to build trust among their consumers.” The guidelines apply to the biggest recycling
streams in Europe: HDPE flakes and pellets, LDPE pellets, PP flakes and pellets, PET flakes and pellets, PS flakes and pellets, micronised soft and right PVC particles, as well as soft and rigid PVC pellets. The documents will be continuously updated in
July/August 2020 | INJECTION WORLD 47
Main image: The use of recycled
plastics in new products poses a number of challenges
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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