NEWS


Coated plastics project


The multi-partner Decoat project has been started in Europe, targeting coated and painted textiles and plastic materials which are not currently recyclable. The project will


investigate triggerable smart polymer material systems and appropriate recycling processes. Smart additives such as microcapsules or microwave triggered additives will be explored to develop coating formulations that will be activated by a specific trigger (heat, humidity, microwave, chemical). The project consor-


tium, consisting of 17 partners, is led by Belgian R&D centre Centexbel and includes Aimplas and other research bodies. � http://decoat.eu


Werner & Mertz boosts recycling in Germany


Home cleaning products company Werner & Mertz has invested €30m in a new production building in Mainz, Germany, which will enhance its use of recycled PET in its packaging. The group said that from 2016 to 2018, revenue for its Frosch brand products grew by 21% and its market share by 14%. The investment in the new production centre will allow Werner & Mertz to keep up with the growing demand. When all stages of the expansion are complet- ed, Frosch production can be doubled. Rigid packaging manu-


facturer Alpla has for years produced the transparent Frosch bottles made of 100% recycled plastic on the Werner & Mertz prem- ises, and is also moving into the new building. Up to May 2019, 266 million PET bottles of 100% recycled


Recycled PET is used in Frosch brand bottles


post-consumer plastic had been manufactured and filled in Mainz. “With the construction of the new production centre, we are creating the world’s largest recyclate bottle production,” said Werner & Mertz owner Reinhard Schneider. Gunther Lehner, owner of Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner,


said: “We are very pleased about the many years of close cooperation with Werner & Mertz. For ultra-modern and efficient packaging manufacturing in the new production centre, we have invested €13m.” The new building has many sustainability features. � www.werner-mertz.de � www.alpla.com


Colgate to make HDPE toothpaste tubes


Colgate has developed a toothpaste tube in HDPE materials, replacing multima- terial versions, to make the tube recyclable. HDPE’s rigidity makes it unsuitable for soft, squeez- able tubes, said Colgate, but this was overcome in a development project that lasted for more than five years. The company’s packaging team tested a dozen different combinations – using from six to 20 layers – to find a combi- nation that allows people to squeeze


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The recyclable tube will first be sold in the company’s Tom’s of Maine brand in the US in 2020. Colgate plans to fully convert all of its tooth- paste packaging to recyclable tubes by 2025. Justin Skala, Executive Vice


Replacing laminates will make tootpaste tubes easier to recycle


out all the toothpaste, protects the integrity of the product, and meets the demands of high-speed production.


PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | July/August 2019


President, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer for Colgate- Palmolive, said: “Once we’ve proven the new tube with consumers, we intend to offer


the technology to the makers of plastic tubes for all kinds of products.” � www.colgatepalmolive.com


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


PHOTO: COLGATE


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