Svensk Plaståtervinning is becoming an important partner in a major Danish research project (CRISP) that aims to demonstrate that plastic food packaging – such as ketchup bottles, yoghurt pots and ice cream tubs – can be sorted and recycled into new food packaging. The goal is large-scale, food-approved and efficient recycling of PE and PP plastic in particular.
The EU generates approximately 16 million tonnes of plastic packaging per year, and much of this plastic goes to the food and beverage industry. While PET bottles can be converted into new bottles via the deposit system, food packaging collected together with other plastic packaging cannot be recycled and used in new food packaging.
That is why the CRISP (Circular Recycling Innovation for Sustainable Packaging) research project has been launched, led by the Danish Technological Institute. The project brings together companies from across the value chain – from waste sorting and plastic recycling to packaging and food production. Together, they are developing an integrated chain from collection to resale to bring food packaging into a circular economy.
“This project is incredibly important for several reasons. If we succeed, which we believe we will, we can reassure the entire food and packaging industry, which is currently concerned about how it will meet the requirements of the upcoming EU PPWR legislation. From 2030, all food packaging must contain at least 10 per cent recycled material,” says Rickard Jansson, development engineer at Svensk Plaståtervinning.
Key steps of the project
AI-driven sorting: Advanced sorting technology with AI technology that can distinguish food packaging from other plastic packaging (takes place at Svensk Plaståtervinning’s sorting facility Site Zero in Motala)
Effective cleaning methods: Removes unwanted substances from plastic waste to achieve food grade
Design for recycling: New packaging solutions adapted for recycled plastic, taking into account research on what makes consumers accept recycled plastic in food packaging
The goal is to have established a production-ready supply chain by the end of the project in 2028.
“It will be a breakthrough if we can show that these plastic packages can be collected, sorted and recycled into new food packaging. We now have both the legislation and the partnership in place to make this a reality,” says Per Sigaard Christensen, Business Manager at the Danish Technological Institute.
Meets a significant need in the industry
For food producers, the CRISP partnership has the potential to fill a critical gap: access to food-grade recycled plastic, which is in high demand in the industry. A circular economy for this type of plastic can future-proof producers, both in terms of future legislation, their own sustainability goals and consumer demand for more sustainable plastic packaging.
“For Arla, it is crucial to find packaging solutions that both protect our products and reduce our environmental impact. Today, we do not have access to food-grade recycled PE and PP, which limits our ability to increase the proportion of recycled material in our packaging. The CRISP partnership could be the key to ensuring this, says Grane Maaløe, Sustainability Manager for Packaging at Arla.
Facts about CRISP
CRISP will run from 2025 to 2028, with the aim of further developing and demonstrating technology for recycling PE and PP packaging from household waste into new packaging that is approved for contact with food. CRISP stands for Circular Recycling Innovation for Sustainable Packaging. The partnership is supported by the Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (MUDP) under the Ministry of the Environment and Gender Equality.
Partners are:
Svensk Plaståtervinning
Aage Vestergaard Larsen
Amcor
Amcor
Pharma-Tech A/S
Arla Foods amba
Nestlé Nordics
VANA
Teknologisk Institut (Danish Technological Institute)
For further information, please contact
Rickard Jansson, development engineer Svensk Plaståtervinning
Tel: 076-799 90 18
Mejl: rickard.jansson@svenskplastatervinning.se
Line Rold Tousgaard, project manager, Danish Technological Institute
Tel: +45 72 20 23 89
Mejl: lrto@teknologisk.dk
