Swiss polymer trading group Meraxis has expanded its recycling division to include regranulates from post-industrial sources (PIR) and post-consumer sources (PCI). The demand for recyclates for film applications is on the rise, the company said, especially in the packaging industry.
The new products are suitable for film applications in the packaging industry, for sacks and bags, and for construction and agricultural films, among others.
Founded just last year, Meraxis has since been working closely with numerous recyclers, expanding its network in order to be able to offer clients an ever wider range of regranulates and recompounds in different quality grades.
“In the past, our recycling product range mainly included polyolefins from post-industrial sources,” explained Philipp Endres, deputy CEO at Meraxis.
“Adding PCR-recyclates to our portfolio allows us to offer our customers another alternative to our prime polymers.” Suppliers and their recycling products are subject to strict quality checks and – as with prime products – are supplied with the customary certificates of analysis. "This is how we ensure that these products are delivered in a defined, consistent quality," said Endres.
While the outbreak of COVID-19 that is currently raging around the globe may have served to divert attention from some of the issues dominating the industry only a few short weeks ago, the realisation of a functioning circular economy remains one of the core challenges of the polymer industry.
“The market requires sustainable solutions,” said Elmar Schröter, executive director Recycling Materials, Compounds & New Business Development.
“It's not just legislators who are pushing for recyclate quotas; the industry is also working all out on a functioning circular economy.”
He added: “Our goal is and will remain to find cost-efficient solutions for the individual requirements of our customers so that more high-quality recyclates find their way into industrial production in the future.”