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INEOS Styrolution<\/a>, the global leader in styrenics, announced today the successful completion of a first project with mechanically recycled polystyrene in a yogurt cup. This milestone achievement was possible by the collaboration of multiple partners along the value chain.<\/p>\n The process of the mechanical recycling of polystyrene is taking place in multiple steps from sorting (deep NIR sorting including object recognition), across hot washing and flake sorting, to melt filtration and pelletizing.<\/p>\n Key in the process is INEOS Styrolution\u2019s \u201csuper clean process\u201d which has been registered as a novel technology according to the EU regulation 2022\/1616. With this process, INEOS Styrolution achieves food contact quality recyclates which before were only known from PET bottle<\/a> recyclates.<\/p>\n The recycled material offers the same physical properties as conventionally produced polystyrene, enabling a perfect circular<\/a> solution. Intensive quality controls were performed on both the material and the cups. Additionally, detailed analyses are required for the EFSA evaluation of this novel technology. Moreover, the environmental footprint of the recycled material is significantly lower than that of conventionally produced material.<\/p>\n A first consumer test on the acceptance of the recyclate containing cup and the cup color was conducted in spring 2024 in collaboration with Unternehmensgruppe Theo M\u00fcller, one of Germany\u2019s leading dairy<\/a> manufacturers. Several hundred yogurt cups made from recycled polystyrene were filled and offered to volunteers in an INEOS canteen to evaluate the innovation. Not only did 90% of the testers indicate they would buy the product, but they also shared feedback that a recycled cup could look different from conventionally produced ones. For example, a color other than today\u2019s plain white would be completely acceptable.<\/p>\n The new technology was presented at the \u201cDresdner Verpackungstage\u201d (December 5-6 2024) by Lena Leineos mbach, Senior Packaging Development, Unternehmensgruppe Theo M\u00fcller, and Dr. Frank Eisentr\u00e4ger, ECO & Market Development Manager, INEOS Styrolution.<\/p>\n Dr. Frank Eisentr\u00e4ger says: \u201cPolystyrene arrived in the champions league of recycled food contact materials. It will enable producers to meet the new requirements of the new EU directive PPWR for packaging and packaging waste.\u201d<\/p>\n Lena Lembach states: \u201cThis is a milestone achievement on our common way to perfect circularity for polystyrene cups and towards fulfilment of the PPWR requirements as well as our own CO2 footprint reduction targets.\u201d<\/p>\n The yogurts will arrive early next year on the shelves of Lidl supermarkets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n