“RecyClass” (www.recyclass.eu), a cross-industry initiative developed by Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu), has published guidance on assessing the recyclability of polypropylene containers. The guidance establishes a protocol for carrying out laboratory analysis of the various design features of rigid packaging made from PP resins.

The aim of the guidance is to establish the level of compatibility of a given product with the PP recycling stream. Werner Kruschitz, chairman of the RecyClass PP technical committee, said recycling of PP containers remains unexploited and is a long-awaited step that will support the achievement of recycling targets.

The “Recyclability evaluation protocol for PP containers” provides a detailed laboratory procedure on how to perform pre-treatment, extrusion and conversion tests. RecyClass said these tests will demonstrate whether the technology or product submitted for approval will have a negative impact on the recycling process.

The guidance is also aimed at supporting innovation in the PP market. Nico Van de Walle, product and circular economy manager at in-mould labels producer Verstraete IML (Maldegem / Belgium; www.verstraete-iml.com) and RecyClass PP technical committee representative, said, “It provides brand owners and packaging producers with a laboratory procedure that measures recyclability of their technologies and shows the main points for improvement.”

RecyClass said it is continuing to work on developing guidance on the recyclability of other type of packaging. It has already developed evaluation protocols on the recyclability of polyethylene films and HDPE containers (see Plasteurope.com of 09.08.2019) and recently published a methodology for assessing the recyclability of plastic packaging (see Plasteurope.com of 16.06.2020).