How to recycle 100,000 tons of rigid multi-layer trays in Germany?
How can we increase the recycling quality and rate of multi-layer packaging? Are new technologies on waste sorting, layer separation, and material recovery suitable for the waste management sector in Germany?
Industry experts discussed these questions in a multi-stakeholder workshop in Cologne in November 2022. At this ‘Packaging Club’ meeting, the CSCP presented new technologies currently under development in MERLIN, an EU-financed project. This included robotic units for detection and sorting of flexible and rigid packaging waste, chemical delamination of the various layers, and recovery of PE and PET monomers.
Waste managers, recycling companies, research institutions and industry associations then discussed the innovation potential of these technologies and critically reflected on the economic and technological feasibility of adopting them for use in the German waste management systems. The CSCP, drawing on its expertise in stakeholder engagement and facilitating dialogue along value chains, obtained valuable insights from the participants. Their feedback reflected their interest, concerns and reactions of potential end users to MERLIN products and will help the MERLIN align its R&D direction with real-world demand.
In the following months, the CSCP will co-organize further Packaging Club meetings with international experts around Europe to bring stakeholders along the packaging value chain together to discuss solutions for a more complete recycling of multi-layer plastic packaging.
Do you want to participate in the next Packaging Club meeting? Are you interested in the results and first insights of this meeting? Email packagingclub@merlinproject.eu and we will keep you updated.
