WUR launches research into recycled food packaging film

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has embarked on a four-year project to investigate the safety of recycled PE and PP film for use in food packaging. Collaborating with eleven industrial partners, WUR is leading the 'Flex Forward' project. This initiative aims to address the increasing pressure from new legislation that encourages or mandates companies to use more recycled material in their plastic packaging.

Suitability, safety, and performance of recycled materials

The Flex Forward project focuses on the safety and suitability of recycled PE and PP film for food contact materials, such as cheese packaging. The research outcomes will aid industrial parties in evaluating the suitability, safety, and performance of these recycled materials. WUR leverages its expertise in plastic analysis along with advanced technologies for identifying known and unknown food contaminants.

Innovative recycling methods

Researchers are employing solvent technology to remove contaminants from the recycled plastic. These recycling technologies are considered climate-positive and achieve a high plastic-to-plastic recycling yield. This method effectively removes contaminants like additives, contributing to the purity of the recycled material.

Focus on films

Films represent about 30% of the total plastic food packaging market. Ingeborg Smeding, project leader at WUR, highlights the importance of improving the quality of recycled PE and PP film. Currently, most recycled film ends up in mixed polymers suitable only for low-value applications. Over the next four years, the Flex Forward consortium will focus on enhancing the quality of recycled material to increase its value.

Wur.nl