Industry Collaboration Seal the Deal on FIBC Usage for PET Granulate Transportation

In a significant collaborative effort, the PET Recycling Team, a member of the ALPLA Group, has partnered with LC Packaging, Starlinger, and Velebit Recycling to establish a closed-loop recycling system for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), commonly known as Big Bags. This initiative aims to recycle used FIBCs, used for transporting PET granulate, into new FIBCs, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact associated with packaging materials.

Big Bags play a crucial role in transporting and storing recycled PET granulate until it can be further processed into preforms for bottle production. Once these bags are emptied, they are sent to Velebit's facility, where they undergo recycling to become post-consumer recycled polypropylene granulate.

LC Packaging's production partner utilizes Starlinger's rPP extrusion technology to transform this recycled material back into Big Bags. While these recycled FIBCs may not be suitable for food-contact applications due to their previous use, they still contain an impressive 30% recycled content. According to Manfred Pribyl, CEO of Velebit Recycling, a consistent and high-quality input stream of recycled materials enables their machines to operate at peak efficiency.

Starlinger plays a pivotal role in this collaborative project by providing the necessary high-quality recycled polypropylene and heavy-duty tapes required for Big Bag production. Andreas Anderl, project manager for rPP, emphasizes the importance of using post-consumer recyclate over post-industrial recyclate, as the former involves various stages such as sorting, collecting, cleaning, and recycling into new recycled polypropylene granules, ultimately resulting in a positive environmental impact.

The partners are now looking to expand the use of recycled materials in food-contact bags, a step that necessitates traceability and appropriate documentation. Additionally, they hope to extend this closed-loop system to include end customers of the ALPLA Group, further enhancing sustainability across the supply chain.

Christian Hude-Burian, plant manager at PET Recycling Team in Wöllersdorf, Austria, highlights the reduction in waste achieved through this solution, where used Big Bags are transformed into new ones, ultimately conserving natural resources and reducing CO2 emissions. Thorsten Classen, managing director at LC Packaging, also underscores the advantage of accessing a continuous supply of premium-quality recycled material.

This collaborative project serves as a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when the right parties come together, invest, and pioneer solutions for a closed-loop system. The initiative not only benefits the environment but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that could pave the way for future food-safe closed-loop solutions.

In another collaborative effort, the ALPLA Group, in partnership with Ecohelp and United Polymer Trading, has opened its first PET recycling plant in Romania. This facility aims to produce approximately 18,000 tonnes of recycled material from household waste annually, with the goal of supplying food-grade rPET to the southeast European market. This initiative represents a significant step toward promoting sustainability and circular economy practices.

Furthermore, Berry Global has earned recognition as a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2023 under the Driving the Circular Economy category for its Closed Loop Recycled Paint Containers, underscoring the industry's commitment to advancing sustainability efforts and reducing environmental impact.