Coveris is set to put a spotlight on its efforts to close the plastic packaging loop at Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE). The leading European packaging manufacturer joins the plastic recycling supply chain at PRSE for the first time, addressing opportunities to enhance the circular economy within the industry.
As the packaging industry navigates an evolving regulatory landscape, Coveris remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation with its dedicated recycling business, ReCover. With the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) redefining industry obligations across the continent, ReCover plays a pivotal role in advancing Coveris’ No Waste vision and compliance with legislation.
A Proactive Approach to Compliance
Aligning with the EU PPWR targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging by 2030, ReCover bolsters Coveris’ capabilities in sourcing, processing, and recycling plastic waste, helping to close the packaging loop. By increasing the availability of high-quality recyclate, ReCover provides a new source of recycled content for Coveris to integrate into its packaging solutions. Coveris’ packaging innovation is centred on sustainable solutions compliant with both EPR’s recyclability requirements and PPWR’s mandated recyclability and recycled content targets.
Expanding Recycling Capacity
With ambitious goals to increase plastic recycling capacity to 50,000 tonnes by 2026 and 90,000 tonnes by 2030, ReCover is scaling up efforts to support both Coveris and its customers in meeting legislative and sustainability demands. This includes pioneering recycling methods to maximise material recovery from different film waste streams. By doing so, ReCover not only supplies Coveris with high-quality recyclate but also contributes to broader industry efforts to enhance recycling infrastructure.
Pioneering De-inking Technology
Launched in 2023, Coveris' ReCover recycling facility in Louth, UK, employs pioneering de-inking technology to remove ink from printed polyethylene films. Transforming waste into high-quality recycled PE resin, known as ReGen, the innovative recycling line processes bailed and reeled feedstock which is then grounds into flakes, de-inked, washed, dried and repelletised. The de-inking line enables printed plastic waste that was previously downcycled into lower grade materials such as building films, to stay within the supply chain as part of a circular process and feature as recycled content in Coveris’ high-performance packaging such as tissue overwrap films, collation films and mailing bags.
Philipp Niehues, Coveris’ ReCover Business Development Director, said, “Plastic recycling has long been a core part of our business, and through ReCover, we are closing the loop by expanding recycling capacity and pioneering new de-inking technology to support the development of Coveris’ sustainable packaging solutions. We are seeing increasing interest from our customers in circular solutions, and we are able to take their high-quality waste films for ReCover’s recycling process, which are used as recycled content in our packaging. We look forward to connecting with industry leaders and showcasing our commitment to sustainable innovation."
PRSE, the industry event for plastics recycling industry and supply chain in mainland Europe, takes place on 1 – 2 April at RAI Amsterdam.
To learn more about Coveris’ efforts to close the loop in the plastic packaging industry, supported by its groundbreaking recycling business ReCover, visit stand G116. Register for the show here.