INNOVATION | RIGID PACKAGING
contamination. During coloured HDPE recycling, the label stays attached, but does not compromise the resulting plastic pellets, says Avery Dennison. AD CleanFlake technology is recognised by the
Association of Plastic Recyclers, European PET Bottle Platform, and RecyClass for enabling recycling by working with the rigid plastic recycling processes for PET (remove labels) and HDPE (labels stay with the package), resulting in better quality flakes. Pascale Wautelet, Vice President Global R&D at
Below: Alpla has received positive LCA results for its Suminco HDPE recycling business in Spain
Avery Dennison, says: “This is an important step forward in using innovation to advance the circular packaging economy without compromising performance. Brands are actively seeking solutions to help them advance their sustainability initiatives and our AD CleanFlake Portfolio significantly expands the applications for this ground-breaking technology.” The company says the technology, which will be available in both Europe and North America by the end of the year, provides good adhesion, clarity, and conversion values. For converters, the adhesive features excellent water whitening and bleeding resistance, while brands can benefit from improved print quality that supports bold designs and contributes to shelf appeal, boosting sales at the consumer stage. RecyClass, meanwhile, has carried out analysis on the compatibility of PP-based, printed in-mould labels (IMLs) which do not require adhesive. The labels are non-removable and consequently not required to be separated in a recycling process. IML decoration can be used in numerous indus- tries, and is typically applied on rigid packaging items such as tubs and buckets. The RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol
for PP Containers was used as the basis for the testing carried out by independent laboratories and
undertaken with a selection of samples representa- tive of containers currently on the market in terms of the colours, shapes and applied printing. The RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines
were updated for both coloured and natural PP, and the update extended to HDPE containers and tubes. In accordance with the results, PP-based IML technology is considered fully compatible with coloured PP recycling when the amount of ink is below 1% of the total weight of the packaging, while it has limited compatibility when the amount is above 1%. On the other hand, IML technology was classified as having low compatibility with the recycling of natural PP containers due to its non-separability. In a separate development, RecyClass has
approved Aptar’s SimpliCycle TPE-S valve as fully compatible with the European PP recycling stream. This thermoplastic elastomer valve, made of styrenic block copolymers, paired with a PP-based cap, is commonly used in food, beverage and other applications. Based on the study conducted, the valve itself represents less than 1% compared to the total packaging weight. Compatibility tests demonstrated that recyclate with up to 50% of this material can be used in closed-loop applications, such as PP blow-mould- ed bottles and injection moulded products. Upon the review by RecyClass Technical Committees, TPE-S valves representing less than 1wt% were also approved as fully compatible within the HDPE rigid plastic stream.
Analysis by the independent business consul- tancy C7-consult, which focuses on life cycle assessments, the climate and sustainability, found that rHDPE from the Suminco recycling plants in Montcada i Reixac and in Venta de Baños in Spain, which belong to the Alpla Group, results in much less carbon equivalent emissions than virgin material. Recycling is an integral part of Alpla’s strategy, which advocates a closed packaging loop in accordance with the bottle-to-bottle principle. Having long since established a name for itself as a partner for PET recycling, the company moved into HDPE recycling in autumn 2019 when it purchased the two Spanish recycling plants. The result of the research demonstrates why it pays to continue to invest in recycling and con- stantly explore new methods and refine processes. The rHDPE produced in Montcada has a carbon footprint of 0.24 kg of carbon equivalents per kg, equating to 88% less greenhouse gas emissions than virgin HDPE, which has a footprint of 1.92 kg of carbon equivalents per kg. The rHDPE produced
54 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | September 2022
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: ALPLA
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