German rigid packaging producer Jokey (Wipperfürth; www.jokey.com) is working with compatriot waste disposal company Remondis (Lünen; www.remondis.de) to close the loop for food-grade polypropylene.

In a joint research project, practicable processes are to be developed and upscaled for industrial use. The aim is for the PP recyclate to be approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, Parma, Italy; www.efsa.europa.eu) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

With the help of scientists, Jokey launched its own research project to this end in 2022. Studies are being conducted on the options available for recovering and reusing recycled polypropylene from dimensionally stable food-grade packaging.

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The packaging manufacturer has been working with Remondis since 1991. Back then, Jokey produced the first bucket made of recyclate with the support of the waste disposal service provider.

As part of this latest cooperation, Remondis is coordinating the collection, return, and sorting of the food packaging from commercial end consumers. Recyclate is then obtained by means of a mechanical preparation process, which Jokey can use to produce new packaging.  

“If we are to be able to produce new food packaging from this recyclate in future, we need to ensure a closed material cycle that consists exclusively of food packaging”, said Jens Stadter, CEO of Jokey Group.