BELGIUM: a unique recycling technology for PVDC outer layer films

Solvay and Carbios demonstrated that complex PET films with an outer layer made of PVDC Diofan®, a polymer with high barrier properties, are fully compatible with Carbios’ enzymatic depolymerization recycling process.

The latter uses specific enzymes to break down PET molecules into their monomer components. This technology operates at moderate temperatures that spare the PVDC, to recycle both industrial and post-consumer waste. The monomers thus recovered could be purified and reused to produce new PET polymer of the same quality as that obtained from virgin petrochemical raw materials. The results of the study show that the PET is completely depolymerized, while the PVDC remains intact. “By offering an efficient and sustainable solution to manage the end of life of products, the technology can help the profession to achieve circularity with films with an outer layer of PVDC and it allows our special polymers with high barrier properties to address other markets, such as packaging for pharmaceutical products,” notes Solvay.

Part of 668 issue – May 22. All rights reserved except agreement written by Emballage Digest or mention of the magazine