In a significant move towards enhancing food and drink sustainable packaging, sustainability technology pioneer Nextek has partnered with flexible packaging specialist Coveris. Together, they are set to revolutionize the mechanical recycling of flexible films through their innovative COtooCLEAN process. Their shared goal is to convert post-consumer polyolefin (PE & PP) packaging waste into high-quality, food-grade recycled resins and films.
This partnership leverages Nextek’s recent achievement in securing the ‘Circular Solutions for Flexibles’ award from the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW). This accolade acknowledges the groundbreaking COtooCLEAN technology, which employs a distinctive waterless cleaning and decontamination process to generate food-grade recycled materials from post-consumer plastic films.
As part of their collaboration, Nextek and Coveris are in the process of developing a demonstration plant in the UK. This facility will apply COtooCLEAN technology at an industrial scale, with extensive trials underway to gather necessary data for regulatory compliance. Additionally, the plant will serve as a platform to showcase the technology to industry stakeholders. Ultimately, the objective is to make this pioneering process accessible worldwide, addressing one of the most formidable challenges in recycling.
Professor Edward Kosior, CEO and founder of Nextek, underscores the significance of this partnership: “COtooCLEAN has the potential to transform plastic film recycling. Since winning the AEPW award, we’ve moved from prototype development to food-grade compliance trials. Partnering with Coveris is the next big step. Together, we’ll demonstrate this technology at scale and work toward a circular economy for plastic films.”
The COtooCLEAN process effectively tackles a critical challenge in recycling PE and PP films, which are notoriously difficult to decontaminate. By facilitating food-grade recycling, this innovative technology marks a substantial advancement in establishing a sustainable future for flexible packaging.
Christian Kolarik, CEO of Coveris, expresses his enthusiasm: “We’re really a frontrunner in this topic and we are thrilled to collaborate with Nextek on this project – a breakthrough in food-grade mechanical recycling. Sustainability is at the heart of Coveris’ ‘No Waste’ strategy, and this partnership is another milestone in ending plastic waste. Together with our ReCover recycling entity and our collaboration with Interzero, we are taking bold steps towards turning waste back into a valuable resource.”
Through their collaboration, Nextek and Coveris exemplify how innovation and teamwork can drive meaningful solutions. Their partnership represents a pivotal advancement toward fostering a circular economy for plastics and tackling one of the most significant issues in recycling.
Join Coveris at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe, the premier event for the plastics recycling industry and supply chain in mainland Europe, taking place on 1 – 2 April at RAI Amsterdam on stand G116.
