Plastic is a versatile material which is being used by many industries from packaging to aerospace and construction to textile, etc. In 2020, EU plastics production reached 55 million tons among which 40% is reported to be used in packaging. To reduce the usage of plastics in packaging, multi-layer materials have been developed – consisting of five to nine layers – that utilise smaller quantities of materials and provide the same resistance, strength, stability, storage properties, and lightweight packaging option. However, multi-layer separation, waste collection and sorting challenges are making multilayer packaging materials such as pharma blister packs and laminated pouch waste difficult to recycle. Therefore, sustainable multi-layer waste management is crucial to enhance closed-loop material recycling and reduce plastic pollution.
To address this, TWI through its plastic recycling and sustainability theme is developing methods for better plastic waste management. TWI is the technical coordinator of the SOL-REC2 project, which targets the development, and implementation of strategies for better separation, sorting and recycling of multi-layer material waste consisting of layers of polymers and aluminium. SOL-REC2 project consortium consists of IPM2, Aimplas, FiliGrade, TWI, University of Leicester, Solvionic, Plastigram and Mikrolin.
The webinar will introduce a novel technique developed by the SOL-REC2 project partners for recycling multi-layer packaging. The talk will then discuss the trends in packaging industry, barriers to recycling and introduce Ionic liquids (ILs) and Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as enabling technologies for the effective and efficient delamination of multi-layer packaging.
The presentation will finish with time for questions and discussion.
SOL-REC2 has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101003532.
All are welcome but this talk is particularly suited to recyclers and materials engineers working in the packaging, medical and healthcare, and other industries.
Free to attend: pre-registration is required.
