Advanced and mechanical recycling: How can the industry boost circularity most effectively?

Coveris’ closed-loop recycling business ReCover generates high-quality feedstock from plastic packaging waste streams for packaging material production.

It repurposes internal and customer waste into high-quality recycled feedstock for premium film and packaging production, while also enabling the continuous recycling and re-extrusion of materials with recycled content.

Mechanical recycling in the lead

Mechanical recycling has been the main plastic recycling method for over 30 years. The plastic is mechanically crushed (still maintaining molecular structure) before being melted into granulates, which are then used in new plastics.

However, Neil Farmer, founder and owner of business development consultancy Neil Farmer Associates has stated that “that the average contamination rate of mechanically recycled waste in the UK has risen from 13.4% in 2016 to 17% by the end of 2023.” He also explained that “the need is for better separation of materials in the recycling stream, which requires investment in infrastructure.”

Growing recyclate demands

The demand for recycled content within the plastics market continues to grow, with customers looking for solutions to provide packaging that is fit for purpose, while focusing on the circular approach to these designs.

Mark Dalby, managing director at Coveris ReCover, tells us that “the growth of the ReCover recycling division at Coveris, means we are investing in further technologies and projects to provide innovative and premium quality recyclable offerings.” ReCover is a key part of the delivery of the Coveris “No Waste” vision and strategy, asserts Dalby.

Advanced recycling leads to chemical change, implying a longer route from plastic waste to usable plastics. Farmer believes it’s likely that demand for advanced recycling will increase, although demand is very small at present.

“The need to achieve circular economy targets, which are challenging, is likely to lead to a greater commitment to advanced systems,” he explained. He also claims that advanced recycling could grow to 4-8% of total plastic supply by 2030, however this would require more than US$40 billion in investment.