Advanced recycling for packaging waste

The Dutch Packaging Waste Fund Foundation (Afvalfonds Verpakkingen) and Nedvang work together to enable advanced recycling of packaging waste. In this context, the Dutch Packaging Waste Fund and Nedvang concluded a cooperation agreement to supply difficult to recycle plastic packaging waste to SABIC and Plastic Energy's chemical recycling plant SPEAR in Geleen (SABIC Plastic Energy Advanced Recycling BV). 

The foundation researches and directs innovations that can contribute to more and, above all, better recycling of packaging and more high-quality use of recyclate. With this agreement, the possibilities and opportunities of advanced recycling (chemical recycling) are further investigated. The company wants to close the chains optimally. And that is why, together with the entire chain, it is always looking for optimisations, new techniques and well-functioning partnerships. The foundation is looking ahead, and wants to maintain our leading position in Europe. 

Plastic films first step

A start is being made with the supply of films from separated residual waste and, in addition, the possibilities of supplying plastic packaging waste that is mechanically difficult or impossible to recycle are being investigated. To meet the ambitious recycling targets in the future, the Waste Fund and Nedvang stimulate innovation for new recycling techniques. With this pilot project, the organisations are investigating whether and to what extent this recycling technique can provide added value to plastic material streams that are currently difficult or impossible to recycle.

How does this process work?

SPEAR's pyrolysis process converts used plastic into a recycled oil, TACOIL. This TACOIL is used by SABIC in their production process as an alternative to traditional fossil materials to make new plastic. For this process, Nedvang will supply material in flake form for half of the total capacity. There are currently discussions with various market parties that can pre-treat the material to make it suitable for delivery to SPEAR.

Every packaging counts

"Successful reuse of packaging waste cannot be achieved without continuing to innovate. As Afvalfonds and Nedvang, we not only stimulate innovation in the recycling of foils, we also tackle the recycling of PET trays and drinks cartons together with the parties that use and recycle this packaging. We take the lead in these projects and want to set the course towards a circular economy for packaging," said Hester Klein Lankhorst, general director of the Packaging Waste Fund.

Afvalfondsverpakkingen.nl