INEOS Olefins & Polymers has joined the NEXTLOOPP project, a UK collaboration made up from the PP supply chain, to create circular food-grade recycled polypropylene from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging.

INEOS will be at the center of an important two-year project that will inform the building of a demonstration plant in the UK to produce 10,000 tonnes per year of food-grade recycled polypropylene.

From its manufacturing base in Grangemouth, Scotland, and product and technical expertise across its European operations, INEOS will help tailor food-grade recycled polypropylene to the precise specification of converters by blending it with virgin polypropylene to modify its mechanical and processing properties. It will also introduce processing aids to help converters to meet the exacting requirements of Brand Owners.

INEOS Olefins and Polymers Europe joins the NEXTLOOPP project to deliver new grades of PP incorporating recycled content that will be food-grade certified.

The project aims to validate the food-grade recycled polypropylene manufacturing process and its commercial viability, with the aim of receiving acceptance from the UK’s Food Standard Agency (FSA) and European equivalent (EFSA).

Graham MacLennan, Polymer Business Manager INEOS O&P UK, said, “In the UK alone we use over 210,000 tonnes of PP in our food packaging every year. It is found in pots, tubs and trays. However, the absence of food-grade recycled polypropylene means that all PP food packaging is currently made from virgin plastics. This isn’t unique to the UK but a large global issue that INEOS and its partners are determined to change.”

Professor Edward Kosior, founder and CEO of Nextek Ltd and NEXTLOOPP, mentioned, “We are delighted to welcome the participation of INEOS in helping recycle PP food packaging. INEOS’ commitment to reducing the world’s reliance on virgin plastics and closing the loop on such a prolific polymer as food-grade PP will help create a more circular economy, reduce CO2 emissions and create new materials for brand owners.”