Germany-based Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) has launched Loopcycling, a joint industrial project that aims to increase the quality of mechanically recycled LDPE from post-consumer sources.
LDPE is widely used in packaging applications but only around 5% gets recycled. This polymer is produced at extremely high pressures and temperatures (2,500 to 4,000 bar and 250 C), requiring high amounts of energy.
The new project will involve the entire plastics recycling value chain with the aim of achieving the best possible recyclate qualities to help meet PPWR recycling targets for contact-sensitive films.
Loopcycling will start in January 2025 and is expected to run for two years.
The consortium will include industrial technology providers in sorting, shredding, washing, de-inking, compounding with stabilisers, decontamination and odour removal as well as the characterisation of recyclates, reprocessing and reuse. IKV is coordinating the project, carrying out compounding trials and reprocessing tests in its pilot plants and laboratories and contributing its expertise in recyclate characterisation.
The project already includes technology suppliers such as manufacturers of sorting systems, providers of de-inking technologies, manufacturers of recycling systems, materials and additives and providers of decontamination technologies.
IKV is inviting interested recyclers, recyclate processors, packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers to a separate kick-off event on Sep. 10, 2024, at IKV in Aachen, Germany.