Danish recycler Plastix (Lemvig; www.plastixglobal.com) has entered into an alliance with US nanotechnology and biocomposite specialist Titan Bioplastics (Seattle, Washington; www.titanbioplastics.com) to expand the use of recycled plastics waste in products to comply with upcoming European legislation.

Plastix is dedicated to mechanically recycling used maritime fibres, such as abandoned fishing nets and ropes that would otherwise end up in the ocean or in landfill. It said its recycled product “OceanIX” is currently used in a range of applications.

Titan Bioplastics’ proprietary “Titan Nanofill” is a mineral additive supporting physical barrier properties in a variety of polymers that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food contact. According to Plastix, small loading rates of Titan Nanofill can potentially provide a 100% increase in barrier properties as well as preventing leaching. When blended with plastics during recycling, the additive can also prevent other plastics from leaching.

The companies added that a barrier test using Titan Nanofill with Plastix recycled materials convinced them of the technology’s potential success and its benefits for a variety of plastics. “We see this as an advancement to many packaging solutions, as well as a serious technology contender supporting companies working to adapt production towards directives by the European Commission and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act,” said Tanya Hart, CEO of Titan Bioplastics.

The EU commission has set a collection target of 90% for plastic bottles by 2029. It has also mandated that plastic bottles should contain at least 25% recycled plastics by 2025 and 30% by 2030 (see Plasteurope.com of 28.03.2019). It is worth noting that recycled plastics and additives can only be used in food and drinks packaging in the European Union after review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, Parma / Italy; www.efsa.europa.eu).