Geminor aids in the production of recycled stretch film

Norwegian resource management company Geminor says it has played a part in the introduction of a new stretch film developed from 100-percent-recycled plastic feedstock recovered from agricultural applications.

Hundreds of thousands of metric tons of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) stretch film are used to bale animal feed on European farms, the company says.

Photo courtesy of Geminor

Bjorn Haaland, account and development manager at Geminor, says, “We have for a long time handled plastic waste from agriculture and have always wanted a climate-friendly solution for the disposal of plastic volumes. Together with several partners, we have now found a process that ensures complete and efficient reuse of the stretch film.”

The agricultural plastic is collected and sent to a production plant where it is quality checked and run through a washing and preparation process, the company says. The LLDPE film is then processed for use as raw material in the production of new stretch film.

The film was first tested for the baling of waste products, Haaland says, and is now also being used to bale agricultural products.

“We have tested the new and recycled plastic film with regard to UV resistance, tensile strength, puncture resilience and handling. We have also tested it in a production climate from -20 degrees Celsius to +30 degrees Celsius, and together with our partners, we have managed to develop the strongest product possible. In terms of quality, our recycled bale plastic does not lag behind virgin plastic,” he says.

“It makes no sense to use plastic made from virgin raw materials when you have fully recycled and strong alternatives available – and the pricing is reasonable,” Haaland adds.

Geminor has logistic hubs and offices in Scandinavia, Finland, the U.K., Germany, France, Poland and Italy, employing more than 80 professionals. The company handled more than 1.7 million metric tons of feedstock in 2020 and holds contracts with more than 350 waste producers and 180 waste-to-energy and recycling facilities.