The NextLoopp PP recycling initiative, a consortium-based project launched in October 2020 that is developing circular food-grade recycled polypropylene (FGrPP) from post-consumer packaging continues to build momentum. With already more than 40 major industry players, the initiative has today announced the participation of yet another plastics resin producer. The newest member is LyondellBasell, a company that is keen to join and support the research of the NextLoopp project, together with other industry players, ‘to help find new solutions’, according to Richard Roudeix, Senior Vice President Olefins & Polyolefins EMEAI at LyondellBasell.
“To unlock the full value of plastics, critical gaps must be addressed so these valuable resources can be circulated back into the economy after use. The development of innovative, new solutions and the increase of recycling rates is key to addressing plastic waste and climate change,” he said.
Polypropylene is the most widely used plastic in food packaging. Using technologies developed by Nextek Ltd., a plastics recycling an resource management consultancy established and led by Professor Edward Kosior, the NextLoopp project has successfully demonstrated that it is possible to close the loop on polypropylene. It does this by separating food-grade PP from the rest, and by decontaminating the polymer to ensure compliance with food-grade standards in the UK, EU and the U.S.
Following the positive results of its tracer-based sorting trials, Nextek Ltd recently started production trials of food-grade compliant recycled PP, making over 60 different products from the four grades of PPristine food compliant and INRT rPPgrade resins, created specifically for packaging that requires no odour and no migration challenges, developed within the scope of the project.
Professor Edward Kosior, founder and CEO of Nextek Ltd and NextLoopp said he was delighted to welcome LyondellBasell and the expertise the company brings to the project on 'delivering technologies that advance solutions to our world’s biggest challenges'.