NEWS


Commission reveals allocation method for mass balance


The European Commission (EC) has launched a public consultation on rules for calculating recycled content in single-use plastic beveragea bottles, including chemically recycled content. This is an important step as the mass balance approach used by producers of chemically recycled plastics can be applied using different methods to determine the percentage content of recyclate. “The methodology for calculating


this [recycled content] is based on the ‘fuel-use excluded’ allocation rule, which means that waste used to produce fuels or energy recovery cannot be counted as recycled content, in line with the definition of ‘recycling’ in the Waste Framework Directive,” said the EC. There had been slow progress in


negotiations with member states on the issue, although the EC said last


playing field and provide investment security for the sector in a technology- neutral way”. It said: “The calculation methodol- ogy will serve as a model for future recycled content rules in other sectors, such as packaging, automo- tives and textiles. This approach is designed to give investors confi- dence in the long-term stability and potential of these technologies.” In order to achieve its recycling


year it supported the Fuel-Use Excluded method, which provides a freer allocation than the Proportional and Polymers Only options (Plastics Recycling World September 2024). It said that agreeing on a clear calcula- tion methodology “will create a level


New venture for construction


Sika and Sulzer have signed a memorandum of under- standing to advance plastics recycling in the construction industry. The companies plan to develop a system for the collection, processing and reuse of these materials and will use both mechanical


and chemical recycling processes. The joint venture, based


in Zurich, Switzerland, will be founded as an independ- ent company with each partner holding a 50% stake. Operational activities will commence in the second half of 2025 with pilot


projects in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The offering will be complemented by local partners, such as logistics and recycling companies, which will be integrated into specific process steps. � www.sika.com � www.sulzer.com


New mattress plant in France


RetourMatras, in collabora- tion with Ingka Investments, has opened a mattress recycling facility in La Cavalerie, France. Using what the company says is cutting edge technol- ogy to recover up to 80% of


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constituent materials, the facility is capable of pro- cessing up to 750,000 discarded mattresses into valuable raw materials per year. The project is part of Ingka Investments’ €1bn plan to invest in companies


PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | July/August 2025


that are growing recycling infrastructure. Each year, Ecomaison collects approximately 4m discarded mattresses throughout France, which are dismantled. � www.retourmatras.nl


targets, the EU supports all recycling technologies although “mechanical recycling is typically preferred as it is less polluting and more energy-effi- cient than chemical recycling”. But “chemical recycling provides a valuable alternative” when mechanical recycling is not feasible or when higher quality standards are needed, the EC said. � https://environment.ec.europa.eu


IN BRIEF...


Brazilian chemical com- pany Braskem is to divest its controlling stake in Upsyde, a recycling joint venture in the Netherlands with Terra Circular, and says in future it will focus on its core chemicals and plastics production. www.braskem.com.br


ReVentas, a Scottish start-up involved in dissolution recycling, has secured Series A funding which the company says will enable the scaling of its technology for recycling PP and PE from pilot plant to commercial operation over the next three years. https://reventas.co.uk


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


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