The plastic waste that LyondellBasell reprocesses into raw material is mixed plastic that is difficult to recycle and unsuitable for mechanical recycling, according to the company. In this process, LyondellBasell says it first converts plastic waste into raw material, which is then used to make new polymers with the same properties as virgin material. Greiner Packaging uses the "CirculenRevive" polymers to produce coffee capsules for Nestlé's "Nescafé Dolce Gusto." Richard Roudeix, Senior Vice President Olefins and Polyolefins for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India at LyondellBasell explains, "CirculenRevive polymers help address the challenge of hard-to-recycle plastics on a large scale. This allows greater volumes of plastic waste to be returned to the value chain that would otherwise be destined for energy recovery or landfill." According to Roudeix, the material meets the requirements of the food industry. The LyondellBasell and Greiner sites involved in the capsules' production process are ISCC-Plus certified, according to the company, and the recyclates processed there are traceable throughout the supply and production chain. Manfred Stanek, CEO of Greiner Packaging, adds, "Our goal is to use as much recycled material as possible for our packaging." He adds that the cooperation between Greiner Packaging and Nestlé aims to promote a circular economy for plastics. "We are pleased to be part of this project, which once again underlines the importance of cooperation along the entire value chain," Stanek said.

Sources:

• Plasticker (Feb. 4, 2022)
• Photo: © Greiner Packaging