Topas Advanced Polymers has announced that its cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) products have now gained certification as recyclable materials by the European independent testing lab, Institut cyclos-HTP, based in Aachen, Germany.
According to the findings of Institut cyclos-HTP, COC can be considered as valuable material in post-consumer LDPE, mixed polyolefin, and polypropylene recycling streams. Consequently, PE and PP formulations modified with COC can be considered fully recyclable in their respective waste streams.
Topas materials are the first cyclic olefin resins in the industry to be deemed recyclable with polyethylene and polypropylene for film and injection moulding uses.
Topas COC has been certified as a recyclable polyolefin as part of the EU initiative for a circular economy. Its certification may also promote the development of functional, and fully recyclable polyolefin packaging solutions. Multilayer packaging usually contains polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide or other polymers required for a functional package, which could now be replaced by COC.
Moreover, its certification may also promote the development of functional, and fully recyclable polyolefin packaging solutions. Multilayer packaging usually contains polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide or other polymers required for a functional package. COC, with its intrinsic stiffness and barrier properties could now offer an alternative to brand owners, manufacturers, and processors who seek recycled packaging solutions to meet today’s sustainability needs.
“COC is a key enabler and opens many opportunities in shrink labels for decoration and other applications such as polyolefin-based high-barrier films and recyclable pouches,”said Wilfried Hatke, sales and marketing manager, EMEA, for Topas Advanced Polymers.
Topas Advanced Polymers is a European subsidiary of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. and the leading maker of cyclic olefin copolymer, a glass-clear and extremely pure plastic for healthcare, optics, packaging, and electronics applications. The company is based in Raunheim, Germany.