Successful recycling of printed plastic films
PrintCYC is a value chain initiative for the recyling of printed films. Current members are the machine suppliers Brückner Maschinenbau, Kiefel and PackSys Global, the CPP film specialist Profol, the ink manufacturer hubergroup, the converter Constantia Flexibles as well as the recycling technology specialist Erema. The initiative is coordinated by Annett Kaeding-Koppers as independent packaging and sustainability consultant. PrintCYC was founded in March 2019. The acronym PrintCYC stands for printed polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) films for mechanical recycling.
The need for circular economy solutions for plastic packaging requires the packaging industry to take an active role in ensuring circularity starting from design, following the entire life cycle. Project members joined forces to research and test new ways for creating circular economy solutions based on post-industrial waste from printed plastic films in the most cost-effective manner. The project group has achieved remarkable results regarding the recycling of printed plastic films and processing of recyclate, e.g.:
• Cost-effective solutions for a circular economy based on postindustrial waste from printed plastic films
• High quality recyclates comparable to virgin material
• Recyclate reuse up to 100% in divers packaging applications
Currently, PrintCYC members are presenting the results to further value chain stakeholders for an exchange of expertise and eventually to win new project partners. Another objective is to use the results for further development of Design for Recycling Guidelines. Next steps on PrintCYC’s sustainability journey towards a circular economy will be defined in the next weeks.
For those, who are interested in more technical details: Read the press release.
