Amcor backs circular food packaging with research partnership in Denmark

Amcor has supported a three-year plastics recycling project alongside the Danish Technological Institute and other industry players. The co-funded partnership, titled the Circular Recycling Innovation for Sustainable Packaging (CRISP), aims to establish an efficient recycling system for PE and PP food packaging collected from households.

According to Amcor, the project will leverage recycling and technical expertise from its CleanStream facility in Leamington Spa, UK, and its packaging production facility in Rander, Denmark. 

Christian Bruno, R&D director for North East Europe at Amcor, says: “Sustainable challenges require industry collaboration, and this partnership will demonstrate what can be done when the supply chain comes together.”

“We are proud to be part of a project that could potentially have a significant environmental impact in Denmark and set new standards worldwide.”

Amcor aims to utilize its expertise and experience in producing and designing food packaging from recycled materials. The collaboration will include food manufacturers and waste management specialists. 

Creating circularity 

Amcor says the CRISP partnership could “significantly contribute” to the development of a circular plastic economy in Denmark, as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements for plastic packaging take effect by 2030.

CRISP will utilize food-grade packaging from post-consumer sources, with a focus on ensuring the documented traceability of food contact materials throughout the recycling loop. 

Per Sigaard Christensen, business manager from the Danish Technological Institute, says: “We are delighted to bring together this highly knowledgeable and innovative consortium. This three-year project has the potential to provide a clear pathway toward the circular recycling of PE and PP food packaging.”

Denmark’s EPR

Amcor highlights how CRISP, and its participation in the partnership, align with Denmark’s EPR scheme, which aims to create financial incentives for circularity. 

Bruno adds: “The long-term goal is to establish circular loops for food plastic packaging aligned with the design guidelines from the PPWR. The EU’s goals are driving this industry to greater heights. The project will make a strong business case for the entire value chain, with improved traceability of food contact materials in the recycling system.”

Amor’s CleanStream technology can mechanically recycle domestically recovered household waste into recycled plastic. It is capable of operating within existing waste management infrastructures. In the UK, Amcor’s Leamington Spa facility can recycle nearly 40% of all UK PP waste collected from domestic recycling bins.

Recently, Amcor launched the Grace head for the all-plastic Wave 2cc pump, designed to deliver an enhanced consumer experience to personal care packaging.

It also supplied sports brand Decathlon with a skin care stick applicator featuring recycled plastic from Amcor’s CleanStream portfolio. 

Meanwhile, Amcor launched a series of lightweight and customizable roll-on deodorant packaging, extending its range of personal care solutions.