15 Nov 2024
The Growing Importance of Food-Grade Recycled PP: Meeting Tomorrow’s Needs Today
The demand for food-grade recycled PP is rising ahead of the EU's upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Current challenges include limited availability and complex recycling due to PP's diverse formats. Cirplus addresses this by offering FDA-approved, food-contact safe recycled PP with strict quality controls. Through advanced recycling and a focus on certified, sustainable materials, Cirplus helps companies meet regulatory demands and support a circular economy.
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At recent industry events like Fachpack and Fakuma, we had the opportunity to speak with numerous brand owners and converters who expressed growing concerns about the upcoming European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), set to take effect in 2030. A particular point of focus was the increasing difficulty of securing food-grade polypropylene (PP) under the new regulations. As the demand for food-contact safe recycled plastics rises, ensuring a reliable supply of food-grade recycled PP is becoming a critical priority for businesses aiming to remain compliant and environmentally responsible.
The Current Market Gap for Food-Grade Recycled PP
Despite its critical role in sustainable packaging, food-grade recycled PP remains largely unavailable in today’s market. Neither food-grade polypropylene (PP) nor polyethylene (PE) can currently be sourced with widespread regulatory approval. Only a handful of companies around the world have received a Letter of No Objection (LNO or NOL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), granting them the ability to supply recycled resins deemed safe for food-contact applications.
The primary challenge in producing food-grade rPP lies in differentiating between recycled PP from food packaging and that from non-food sources. Ensuring that post-consumer recycled PP exclusively contains safe, food-contact approved materials has been a significant hurdle for recyclers.
Why Recycling PP is So Challenging
Unlike PET and HDPE, which are widely used in foods and beverages as bottles, polypropylene's (PP) prolific nature makes it particularly complex to recycle. Recycling systems tend to favor uniform inputs, such as clear bottles of a single polymer type. In contrast, PP is produced in a wide range of grades (homopolymer, copolymer, and random copolymer), colors, and formats (pots, tubs, and trays). This diversity poses significant challenges for recycling systems. Perhaps most concerning is that many of these PP packages have not been designed with recyclability in mind, further complicating efforts to create a consistent supply of food-grade recycled PP.
Bridging the Gap in Food-Grade Recycled PP Supply
At Cirplus, we are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation. We offer transparent recycled PP that meets stringent requirements for food-contact applications and holds an FDA-issued Letter of No Objection (LNO). This high-quality material is sourced from recycled hot and juice bottles and has a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) between 7 and 11, ensuring reliable performance across a variety of packaging applications.
To guarantee consistent quality, our process includes thorough mixing both before and after granulation for every 50-ton batch, maintaining uniform color with deviations kept under 5%. Additionally, we achieve superior filtration by changing filters every 10 minutes, using a 200-mesh filter to enhance purity and consistency. These exacting standards ensure the final product aligns with the demands of the food packaging industry, supporting a transition to sustainable and compliant solutions.
Through advanced sorting and recycling techniques, Cirplus continues to bridge the market gap for food-grade recycled PP. Our work aligns with industry-wide initiatives such as the NEXTLOOPP project, which strives to expand the availability and quality of certified, food-safe recycled polypropylene.
Preparing for the Future with Cirplus
As we move toward 2030 and the implementation of the PPWR, the urgency for accessible, food-grade recycled plastics will only grow. Partnering with Cirplus ensures you have a reliable source for certified, traceable, and standardized recycled PP, empowering your business to meet both regulatory and sustainability goals.
For more details about our food-grade rPP transparent offering (with LNO) and other recycled PP materials, visit our PP materials. Join us in leading the charge toward a more sustainable, compliant, and future-ready packaging industry.