Styrenics Circular Solutions, the value chain initiative that aims to promote and realise a circular economy for styrenics, has announced that it has submitted a second application to EFSA for EU authorisation of for the use of mechanically recycled polystyrene for food contact applications in Europe.
This second application is based on the super-cleaning technology developed by plastics recycling machinery manufacturer Gneuss. It follows an initial application submitted in Mach 2021 based on the super-cleaning technology developed by Austria’s Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen. For this first application, EFSA has set its risk assessment deadline on 23 March 2022.
The availability of different technology options opens the door for a more flexible approach for investors when it comes to building a new mechanical recycling plant, which could held to accelerate industrial initiatives according to SCS.
Both submissions cover the same multiple end-consumer applications, including yoghurt pots, hot and cold beverage containers and food trays. The rPS content in end-consumer applications can reach100%.
EFSA evaluation of recycling processes requires companies to prepare a dossier along with a request for authorisation of the use of recycled plastics in food contact materials to one of the EU member states’ competent authorities. EFSA receives the dossier from the member state in question, evaluates it and then provides an opinion on the safety of the recycled plastic in the light of its intended use. The EFSA opinion is then used by the member state to grant or reject authorisation of the recycled plastic.
The dossier is compiled in accordance with an EFSA guidance, which includes a description of the recycling process showing critical parameters such as temperature, pressure, process duration and other operative details, and the characterisation of input focusing on qualification and evaluation of suppliers, origin of the feedstock, traceability, and the ability to prevent entry of non-suitable materials into the input stream. Also included are the results of challenge tests to demonstrate the decontamination efficiency of the recycling process, characterisation of the end recycled plastic product, its intended application in food contact, and compliance with relevant provisions on food contact materials.
The scientific dossier by Fraunhofer IVV for this second application includes the results of several successful challenge tests performed using Gneuss’ technology - a Multi Rotation System (MRS) jump extrusion process that enables highly efficient super-cleaning based on high vacuum, high surface and melt temperature. This technology already has an established track record in Japan, where Gneuss have provided FDA approved super-cleaning for food contact mechanical recycling of food trays since 2017.
Dissolution and depolymerisation technologies have also been developed to recycle PS into near-virgin recyclates suitable for food applications. However, PS benefits from the same inherent low-diffusion characteristic as PET, which means that mechanical recycling to food-grade standards is feasible and achievable.
“The submission of this second application for a different super-cleaning technology underlines our confidence in the safety of rPS as food contact material,” said Jens Kathmann, Secretary-General of SCS. “The expansion of the technological base is important to give investors in food grade mechanical recycling facilities a choice. Now we already have two proven super-cleaning technologies and we are convinced that several other suitable technologies will follow. We look forward to positive opinions of EFSA, both on our earlier submission and eventually this application.”