New method for recycling plastic composite packaging materials in Brazil

Recently, eight researchers from the Parana Polytechnic Institute in Brazil jointly developed a new method for recycling plastic composite packaging materials, making it possible to recycle the reinforced plastic packaging materials.

At present, reinforced composite packaging laminated by plastic, paper, and aluminum foil is increasingly used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging. Although the reinforced composite packaging material has the characteristics of anti-corrosion and strong freshness, the structural characteristics of the packaging have caused the recovery to be a headache, and its number in landfills is increasing day by day. The researchers used a chemical solvent to recover the three components in the package. After immersing the fortified bag in this solvent for a period of time, the plastics, aluminum, and paper in the packaging material will delaminate. The three components are then separated by hand and the residual solvent is removed at high pressure. The three substances can be separated and recovered.

This solvent is quite effective for paper, PVC or PE plastics. This technology is suitable both for the packaging of beverages such as milk and juice, and for thinner packaging such as salt, vacuum coffee and eggs. At present, it has begun to be used in Brazil.