Additive Manufacturing | ΕΠΕΞΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ ΜΕΤΑΛΛΩΝ - ΠΛΑΣΤΙΚΩΝ
INNOTECH (Grupo Lantero’s research and development center for packaging solutions) has today announced the successful completion of trials with the full range of yoghurt cup formats. The trials addressed formats used in both European and American markets using Styrolution® PS ECO 440FC MR100 material, a 100% post-consumer recycled polystyrene grade produced from household food packaging waste. All dairy formats have been produced and tested to food contacts standards.
Polystyrene is the material of choice for the dairy form-fill-seal (FFS) market.
The trials at INNOTECH show that mechanically recycled PS is produced and successfully tested to food grade standards across all shapes and sizes of dairy applications. According to the findings polystyrene is not only the best material for dairy applications, but also offers the shortest path to circularity for existing market applications. Members of the entire value chain, and in particular retailers and brand owners, are encouraged and invited to participate and understand what this could mean for polystyrene and for their respective businesses.
Gonzalo Sanchez, head of recycling within COEXPAN, comments: “It is a massive achievement to be able to confirm the success of this exercise, and the results speak for themselves. Many brand owners want the polystyrene journey to continue, and we now have the proof that mechanically recycled polystyrene offers a solution for their food contact applications. This will allow customers to concentrate on their core business rather than looking for alternative materials requiring changes to existing processes and investments into new equipment.”
Dr. Frank Eisenträger, Product Director Polystyrene EMEA, says: “We have expected for quite some time that polystyrene is an ideal material for the circular economy. Now we have the proof that it is indeed one of the best, if not the best recyclable polymer. In fact, polystyrene is all set now to enjoy the highest recycling rates of all polymers. I expect the quality of the mechanically recycled polystyrene to be so convincing that we will see applications that moved on to other materials switch back to polystyrene as new recycling capacities come online.”
About COEXPAN
First mover in extrusion with more than 45 years of experience in the industry and specialized in the manufacture of rigid plastic sheets and thermoformed products, to provide solutions for the packaging industry globally.
COEXPAN is the Grupo Lantero division that specialises in the manufacture of rigid plastic sheets and thermoformed products, offering global solutions for the packaging industry.
COEXPAN has 13 production plants in 8 countries in Europe and America (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Chile, Brazil and Mexico), specialised in rigid sheet solutions and thermoformed packaging in the main polymers (PS, PP, PET, PLA).
About INNOTECH
Located in Alcalá de Henares, in Madrid region (both divisions headquarters), INNOTECH is the Center for Technological Innovation of COEXPAN and EMSUR.
Inaugurated on July 4, 2019, INNOTECH is conceived to serve as a collaboration space where clients, suppliers, associations, public bodies and Universities, among others, cooperate on projects aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable packaging that contributes effectively to improving the environment.
With more than 1,000 square meters and a large team of experts (R&D, Engineering, Sales and Marketing), the center has large multidisciplinary workspaces, as well as state-of-the-art technology.
Within the portfolio of solutions and services that INNOTECH offers, the following stand out: packaging consulting and advice, industrial trials and testing of materials, exclusive training and educational services, as well as laboratory analysis.
INEOS Styrolution is the leading global styrenics supplier, with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 90 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering solutions, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets. At the same time, these innovative and sustainable best-in-class solutions help make the circular economy for styrenics a reality. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, household, construction, healthcare, packaging and toys/sports/leisure. In 2021, sales were at 6 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,600 people and operates 20 production sites in ten countries.