Amcor : The benefits & challenges of chemical recycling for flexible plastic packaging in Europe

Source: American Fuel and petrochemical Manufacturers

The benefits of chemical recycling

Chemically recycled resins can be used as a replacement for virgin quality resins, giving plastic waste a higher value. Thanks to its high quality, it can be used in specific applications such as flexible food-contact packaging, where mechanically recycled content has limitations today in Europe.

Challenges with implementing chemical recycling

Right now, one of the biggest challenges to greater recycling in Europe is collection and recycling infrastructure. Chemical recycling isn't a silver bullet. The technology exists, but not yet at scale. Only 2% of plastics collected today for recycling in Europe are treated with this method (5), primarily via an initial pyrolysis step. Expanding both mechanical and chemical recycling infrastructure will help Europe to meet its sustainability goals. To be scaled up, chemical recycling needs strong investment and several plants in operation.

Another challenge facing chemical recycling is the fact that the elements influencing the price of recycled material are completely different from virgin plastic. When crude oil prices fall the price of virgin plastic resins falls. However, recycled resin is not subject to the same market influences and does not fluctuate in the same way, as the cost of producing recycled pellets after collection, transport, sorting and recycling remains essentially the same.

Finally, clear design-for-recycling guidelines for plastic packaging are still needed for chemical recycling. There is often a misconception that with chemical recycling it will be possible to throw anything in and get virgin quality resin back. That may work in theory but it's unlikely in the real world. In order for chemical recycling to be both economically viable and environmentally beneficial, the standards for input need to be high. According to Chemical Recycling Europe, improved eco-design is the first step in ensuring that either mechanical or chemical recycling can recycle the plastic item. (6)

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