- A successful test run on Krones' pilot process for foamed
polystyrene confirms feasibility, industrial efficiency and
recyclate quality of the mechanical recycling of XPS food
trays.
- SCS has defined a circular design guideline for XPS food trays,
further promoting their recycling.
BRUSSELS, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Styrenics Circular
Solutions (SCS), the value chain initiative to realise the
circular economy for styrenic polymers, today announces the
successful demonstration of the mechanical recycling of XPS
food trays in partnership with Tomra and Krones. It is based
on the high purity mechanical recycling process developed for
yoghurt pots. Building on the high sortability of all types of
polystyrene (PS), Tomra first used 'deep sorting' to produce a pure
XPS feedstock out of mixed PS sorted from separately collected
household packaging waste. Krones then shredded, hot washed,
dewatered and dried this feedstock. The test run demonstrates
not only the technical capability of the process, but also the
industrial feasibility to realise it competitively at typical
recycling capacities, and with favourable levels of energy and
water consumption.
This process adds circularity to the widely appreciated
effectiveness of XPS trays in ensuring food safety and their
superior life cycle assessment. To further promote their
circularity by maximising the recycling yield and quality with this
new recycling technology, SCS has developed a design for recycling
(DfR) guideline for XPS food trays. Most XPS food trays are already
in line with the guideline.
Dr. Michael Gotsche, Head of
Krones Recycling, said: "We are pleased to have demonstrated with
these trials that our leading washing technology also works for XPS
food trays."
Dr. Volker Rehrmann, EVP, Head of
TOMRA Recycling, added: "Effective sorting of (post-consumer)
material is essential in transitioning to a truly circular economy.
The ease with which polystyrene can be 'deep sorted' has continued
to impress us since we established the sortability of its various
types and formats, and this time confirmed for XPS trays."
Claudio Bilotti, New Polymers
Initiatives and Sustainable Products Manager of Versalis (Eni) and
Board Member of SCS, commented: "XPS trays play an essential role
in ensuring food safety for fresh meat and fish. After their first
use, they are a valuable circular resource for many additional life
cycles."
Jens Kathmann, Secretary General
of SCS, said: "Next to yoghurt pots, XPS food trays play an
important role among PS packaging formats in the circular economy.
They can become recycled content in many General Purpose PS
applications, such as housewares, appliances and insulation."
Note to Editors:
A 2019 peer-reviewed life-cycle analysis (LCA) by Fraunhofer
found that mono-material XPS meat trays have the lowest
environmental impact compared to viable alternatives – even without
considering the significant, more recent progress with their
recycling.
About Styrenics Circular Solutions
Styrenics Circular Solutions is the value chain initiative to
realise the circular economy for styrenics. The initiative engages
the entire value chain in the development and industrialisation of
new recycling technologies and solutions. It aims to strengthen the
sustainability of styrenic products while improving resource
efficiency within the circular economy.
For more information visit
www.styrenics-circular-solutions.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/styrenics-circular-solutions/
Twitter/X: @SCS4Circularity
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