Ampacet enables multi-material recycling with compatibilizer masterbatch launch

23 Mar 2020 --- Ampacet has introduced REVIVE 962 E, a compatibilizer masterbatch that enables the recycling of multi-material packaging made of polyolefin and technical polymer components into quality film applications. Ampacet REVIVE 962 E improves the homogeneity and transparency of reprocessed polymer blends, while mechanical properties of films made with these blends are similar to the main base polymer.

While most flexible, mono-material packaging films – polyethylene and polypropylene – can easily be mechanically recycled, recycling multi-material packaging structures presents challenges. Food products, for example, may require multi-material packaging to provide gas barrier functionality that protects packaged food, extends shelf-life and reduces food waste. Contaminating the polyolefin recycling stream with non-polyolefin components must be avoided when recycling multi-material packaging films to ensure a level of quality that allows upcycling into new packaging.

Ampacet REVIVE 962 E offers a sustainable solution for multi-material polyolefin barrier packaging, enabling the use of reclaimed material in quality film applications and providing alternative end-of-life to landfill disposal.

The development of a circular economy for plastics is essential to the plastics packaging industry meeting the recycling targets set by the European Commission. The European Commission mandates that a minimum of 50 percent of plastic packaging is recycled by 2025 (55 percent by 2030) to support the goal of using 10 million metric tons of recycled plastic in the EU.

The REVIVE 962 E launch also supports the R3 mission to transition from a regional linear take, make and waste model to a reduce, reuse and recycle global circular economy model.

In other Ampacet news, the global masterbatch leader showcased its carbon-free black color masterbatch at Packaging Innovations 2020. François Thibeau, Strategic Business Manager, Films, explained how the near-infrared detectability of the product enables black plastic to be recycled in existing infrastructure and remain in the value chain. German chemical and consumer goods company Henkel launched a fully recyclable black plastic bottle for its Bref products using the masterbatch last year.

Edited by Joshua Poole