Assessment of the routes for the reconversion of coextruded multilayer polymer films used in food packaging

High-performance flexible packaging is commonly used when there is a need for preservation of oxygen and humidity sensible goods. These packaging items, to provide the required protection, are composed of a mixture of materials among which polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) stands out as the preferred alternative due to its extraordinary performance.

However, this material hinders the reconversion of the waste using standard recycling methods as it is prone to degradation at relatively low temperatures. As a result, APT and ABP Food Group worked together to investigate potential routes for the reconversion of a high-barrier coextruded multilayer film to align to their internal goals as well with the upcoming EU Green Deal legislations.

APT investigated the feasibility for the recovery of high-performance flexible packaging structures using recycling technologies and infrastructure readly available or adaptable at industrial scale. APT did an extensive evaluation through reprocessing using extrusion technology, addition stabilising additives and a suite of characterisation techniques to evaluate the materials. The work confirmed the limitations of PVdC mechanical recycling and validated that the studied packaging structures were a viable low carbon foot print choice for their business.