A pilot test conducted by Total, Intraplás and Yoplait has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating recycled polystyrene from chemical recycling into yogurt pots, the companies reported today.
The test was led by Total, a company that has become increasingly active in the field of chemical recycling over the past few years.
It has committed to producing 30% recycled polymers by 2030 and to that end recently announced plans to build France’s first chemical recycling plant, together with advanced recycling technology company Plastic Energy, at its future zero-crude platform in Grandpuits with Plastic Energy.
The company currently processes secondary raw material derived from post-consumer mixed plastic waste at its steam cracker in Antwerp, in a process that has earned ISCC Plus certification, from which it can produce certified chemically recycled polystyrene with virgin-like properties. Hence, although recycled, this polystyrene is suitable for food contact applications, as the pilot showed.
Based in Portugal, Intraplás, specialised in the extrusion of plastic sheets for the food and dairy industry, extruded Total’s certified rPS into sheets, which Yoplait turned into yoghut pots.
The pilot has been hailed by the partners as an important milestone towards establishing chemical recycling as a valid route for polystyrene recycling and for closing the loop in dairy applications. “And for our roadmap targeting 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025”, said Frédéric Chapuis, Sustainable Packaging Strategy Manager at Yoplait.
“We are very proud and satisfied for having managed to join the value chain of the food sector, in this specific project, which promotes the circular economy of polystyrene food packaging, guaranteeing the total safety of consumers,“ concluded Anabela Ferreira, co-owner and executive member of Intraplás