At CTLpack, we are committed to the environment and to our customers. We use recycled materials in the development of new projects, allowing us to offer more sustainable products that comply with the principles of the new circular economy.

In collaboration with the AIMPLAS Technology Center, CTLpack has led the RECITEST project, supported by IHOBE, with the aim of recovering industrial waste at the machine and, after proper treatment, incorporating it into the ESTube tube manufacturing process or other applications. The project also seeks to study and implement a process that allows for the removal of inks and other decorative elements to facilitate recycling.

The results of this process concluded that the swarf produced in the plant is regenerative and processable with the available production methods, even at high utilization rates. However, the material has not yet reached the condition required for use in applications that require contact with food, as it has not been possible to eliminate the ink and varnish residues. This results in coloration in the regenerated chips, which affects the organoleptic properties and compromises suitability for food contact.

The decoration of packaging, particularly in the cosmetics sector, is known for its high-quality standards in terms of decorative richness (effects and color density), bonding to various substrates, and resistance to chemical agents such as solvents and water. As a result, decoration is sometimes practically indestructible, which obviously makes it difficult to remove.

Our next steps will focus on evaluating and optimizing processes for washing the waste to eliminate the decoration, which will open up a range of options to achieve the optimal objectives of this project. In parallel, we will analyze realistic options to facilitate the removal of decoration or even avoid it where unnecessary.

You can read more about this news on Ihobe’s website: https://ecoinnovacion.ihobe.eus/en/projects/high-value-tube-packaging-recycling-solutions-recitest