Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Plastics News
Subscribe
  • Login
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Recycling
    • Sustainability
    • Bioplastics
    • Technology & Materials
    • Injection Moulding
    • Blow Moulding
    • Extrusion
    • Thermoforming
    • 3D printing
    • Technology
    • Materials
    • Machinery
  • Opinion
    • View Point
  • Events
    • Our Exhibitions
    • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
    • Ask the Expert
    • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
    • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Reuters Responsible Business Europe 2022
    • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
  • Prices & Resources
    • Polymer Prices
    • Data Reports
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Media Pack
  • Subscribe
  • Digital magazine
    • Digital Magazine
  • Multimedia
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 08, 2021 03:33 PM

Polystyvert working with Coexpan to validate rPS dissolution technology

Trials show promising results for FFS yoghurt packaging applications

Karen Laird
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Yoghurt pots FFS rPS

    Polystyvert, a Canadian company that has developed innovative dissolution technology for recycling polystyrene, is collaborating with Coexpan, the Grupo Lantero division specialised in the manufacture of rigid plastic sheet and thermoformed products, to validate the use of its technology for FFS yoghurt packaging applications.

    The initial trials conducted at Innotech, the innovation and development centre in Madrid, Spain, established in 2019 by Coexpan, a leading producer of Form Fill Seal (FFS) food packaging systems, and its sister company Emsur, have yielded positive results, in terms of both quality and processability.

    As the solvent – an essential oil - in no way affects the polystyrene, Polystyvert’s recycled polystyrene retains the same properties as virgin polystyrene. Moreover, the processes are carried out at a low temperature, which keeps the molecular chain of polystyrene intact.

    The technology was also found to successfully remove contaminants, including pigments and dyes, paper, cardboard, and other plastics, from the initial feedstock. The purification process takes place in a number of steps: first, the mixture of dissolved polystyrene and essential oil is poured through a simple mesh that catches contaminants like paper, tape, cardboard, other plastics and metals; second, the dissolved polystyrene is separated from the essential oil. This oil can be reused. This separation step also eliminates HBCD, a banned flame retardant still found in some types of polystyrene. Polystyvert has also developed a patented process to eliminate the fine particles and contaminants remaining in the solution, such as ink, or other types of additives. This not only sets the technology apart from a number of other technologies, but it also makes it possible to process a variety of difficult to recycle feedstocks.

    The recycled PS was subsequently extruded and thermoformed produced during the trials was into yoghurt pots.

    The pellets tested during the extrusion process were post-industrial rPS 50%, (ABA structure) and a monolayer structure with 100% post-industrial rPS. The sheets were tested on FFS industrial yoghurt packaging systems, and then analysed at the development centre laboratory.

    The rPS successfully passed the challenge and migration tests. These results led to Polystyvert receiving a notice of certification for food contact in the USA from independent testing and quality assurance laboratory, Intertek.

    Following these tests with post-industrial recycled material, the companies will commence trials with rPS derived from post-consumer waste in the coming weeks.

    Founded in 2011, Montreal-based Polystyvert innovative, low-carbon-footprint polystyrene recycling process is based on a dissolution technology that is effective on all types of polystyrene. The result is a high purity recycled resource suitable for upcycled polystyrene products, and that opens the door to a larger rPS market than can be reached through mechanical recycling technologies alone.

    Newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Sustainable Plastics' news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Sustainable Plastics Media Kit Cover

    Subscriptions to Sustainable Plastics, the leading Pan-European magazine for the circular plastics industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    "In a changing world, Sustainable Plastics is a constant: a platform the plastics industry can rely on to deliver the news and knowhow impacting the industry going forward”

    Contact Us

    11 Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom 
     

    Customer Service:
    1-313-446-0450

    [email protected]

     

    Resources
    • Advertise
    • Sitemap
    • Careers
    • Subscribe
    Affiliates
    • Plastics News
    • LSR World
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Tire Business
    • Rubber News
    • Automotive News
    • Automotive News Europe
    • Crain Publications
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Recycling
      • Sustainability
      • Bioplastics
      • Technology & Materials
        • Injection Moulding
        • Blow Moulding
        • Extrusion
        • Thermoforming
        • 3D printing
        • Technology
        • Materials
        • Machinery
    • Opinion
      • View Point
    • Events
      • Our Exhibitions
        • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
      • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
      • Ask the Expert
      • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
      • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
      • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Reuters Responsible Business Europe 2022
    • Prices & Resources
      • Polymer Prices
      • Data Reports
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Media Pack
    • Subscribe
    • Digital magazine
      • Digital Magazine
    • Multimedia