Flexible packaging containing polyamide is often seen as complex to recycle. However, PA represents less than 5% of the total flexible packaging stream, and films containing up to 30% PA in their composition can be processed on existing recycling systems, more specifically in the flexible PE stream.
Advanced packaging which contains polyamide is not only compatible with the processes of waste sorting and recycling facilities, its density is below 1 g/m3 and it can also be recycled in the PE stream, when coextruded or properly compatibilized. This then leads to knock-on operational benefits.
For decades, polyamide has been recycled without issue, despite recent claims to the contrary, and advanced packaging which contains polyamide is no different. Research conducted by the cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI), Recyclass and APR demonstrate that PA can be recycled in the PE stream.
CHI studies found that coextruded PE/PA films, based on LDPE and LLDPE, are ‘recycling compatible for PE film recycling’ when they are composed of less than 30% of PA6 or CoPA6/66 by weight, no compatibilising agent necessary, just the MAH-based tie resin needed for the coextrusion process. Recyclass and APR studies have also determined that coextruded PE/PA films containing up to 15% of CoPA 6/66 by weight are compatible, in presence of the MAH-based tie resin.
SOURCES:
– Cyclos-HTP: Mechanical Recycling (basf.com)
– Recyclass: PDF Document
– APR: PDF Document
But the benefits of advanced packaging which contains polyamide extend into the operational aspects of a recycling plant too, offering a more sustainable and profitable outlook due to the multiple types of plastic that enter the recycling stream, similar to recycling single materials with notable added value. Moreover, it doesn’t require any special equipment, as it is compatible with plants used for flexible PE stream number 4.
Within recycling facilities, reduced volumes of plastic waste mean less material which needs to be stored and transported, as advanced flexible packaging can be much thinner than monomaterial alternatives.
Despite the important pluses of advanced packaging which contains polyamide in terms of circularity and recyclability,
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Brussels, 10th June 2024 – BASF, UBE, ENVALIOR, DOMO Chemicals and GRUPA AZOTY ATT Polymers are proud to announce the formation of the Advanced Packaging Association (APA) AISBL as a non-profit organisation that will shape the future of the flexible packaging value chain through fact-based sustainability assessment. APA was first initiated in 2023 by key […]
