INEOS Styrolution, a global leader in styrenics, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Plastics Recycling Awards Europe in the "Product Technology Innovation of the Year" category. This recognition celebrates the company’s groundbreaking development of a mechanical recycling solution for polystyrene that meets food contact quality standards—an achievement set to reshape the future of sustainable food packaging.

Announced on January 16, the shortlist highlights the innovative work INEOS Styrolution has done in transforming polystyrene into high-quality recyclates suitable for food packaging, a breakthrough previously only possible with PET. Developed in collaboration with key partners in the food and retail industries, this solution meets the stringent safety requirements set by EU regulation 2022/1616 for food-contact materials, solidifying its place in the circular economy.

The key innovation lies in the mechanical recycling of polystyrene, a material traditionally seen as difficult to recycle for food-safe applications. INEOS Styrolution’s solution demonstrates that polystyrene can now be recycled to produce food-grade products, such as the first-ever yoghurt cup made from mechanically recycled polystyrene. This breakthrough proves that polystyrene, long considered a challenge in recycling, can play a significant role in creating fully circular packaging solutions.

Dr. Frank Eisenträger, ECO & Market Development Manager at INEOS Styrolution, expressed his excitement over the recognition, saying, “We are honoured that our innovative work in polystyrene recycling has been recognised by the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe. Being a finalist highlights the significant progress we’ve made in delivering circular solutions for food packaging.” He continued, “This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and partners, and we are eager to celebrate this milestone with the wider industry at the awards ceremony in April.”

Scheduled to take place at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam on April 1-2, 2025, the awards ceremony will reveal the winners of each category. INEOS Styrolution’s inclusion in the finals underscores the increasing momentum within the industry toward advancing sustainable and circular packaging technologies. The company’s ability to turn polystyrene waste into food-grade packaging highlights its leadership in driving forward circular solutions that can transform the plastics recycling landscape.

This recognition at the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe not only honours INEOS Styrolution’s innovation but also signals a broader industry shift toward practical, scalable solutions for recycling and reusing materials in a truly circular manner.