Covestro at K 2022: Recycling multilayer packaging

It's hard to imagine modern everyday life without them: flexible packaging made from multiple layers of film enables hygienic and safe storage of many types of food. However, the versatile packaging has one problem: sustainable disposal. This is because the bonded films in the material mix are difficult to separate from one another again after use - and therefore, unfortunately, such packaging is only recyclable to a limited extent. Covestro has recognized the problem - and has developed a process for recycling companies and packaging manufacturers to remedy this drawback: In multilayer film packaging laminated with polyurethane (PU) adhesive, the respective materials can be separated again thanks to the new technology. The team is now presenting the development at the K 2022 trade fair from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf.

In the process, a special release agent specifically weakens the adhesive strength of the PU adhesive, and because the release agent consists exclusively of natural ingredients and water, it is also highly sustainable. For packaging manufacturers and recyclers, the process offers a major advantage: "Our know-how helps them make better use of the residual value of their packaging and thus makes more materials accessible to the circular economy," says Thomas Fait. The New Business Development Manager in the Adhesives business unit at Covestro took the lead in developing the technology on a laboratory scale. "With projects like this, we are helping to achieve our corporate vision: to make the circular economy a reality. To do this, we work with partners from a wide range of sectors and industries and are always looking for ways our products and technologies can help other companies become circular, too."