Nextek, Coveris to recycle food-grade plastic film

London-based Nextek Ltd., a sustainability technology consultancy specializing in innovative recycling solutions, and flexible packaging expert Coveris, based in Vienna, have partnered to mechanically recycle flexible films using the COtooCLEAN process, converting postconsumer polyethylene and polypropylene packaging into high-quality food-grade recycled resins and films. 

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The collaboration builds on Nextek's Circular Solutions for Flexibles award from the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), Singapore. The award recognized Nextek's COtooCLEAN technology, which uses a waterless cleaning and decontamination process to produce food-grade recycled materials from postconsumer plastic film. 

“COtooCLEAN has the potential to transform plastic film recycling," Nextek founder and CEO Professor Edward Kosior says. "Since winning the AEPW award, we’ve moved from prototype development to food-grade compliance trials. Partnering with Coveris is the next big step. Together, we’ll demonstrate this technology at scale and work toward a circular economy for plastic films.” 

As part of the partnership between Nextek and Coveris, a demonstration plant is being developed in the U.K. The plant will implement the COtooCLEAN technology at industrial scale, with extensive trials planned to collect the data needed to meet regulatory requirements, along with the opportunity to demonstrate the technology to industry, Nextek says. The ultimate goal is to make this pioneering process available globally, helping tackle one of the toughest recycling challenges. 

“We’re really a frontrunner in this topic, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Nextek on this project—a breakthrough in food-grade mechanical recycling," Coveris CEO Christian Kolarik says. "Sustainability is at the heart of Coveris' ‘No Waste’ strategy, and this partnership is another milestone in ending plastic waste. Together with our ReCover recycling entity and our collaboration with Interzero, we are taking bold steps toward turning waste back into a valuable resource.”