Sustainable delamination and de-inking of multilayer films using supercritical CO2 and green cosolvents
A sustainable recycling process for multilayer films that uses supercritical CO2 (scCO2) with green cosolvents to delaminate and de-ink materials such as crisp packets. The method decontaminates polymers, removes volatile and semi-volatile chemicals to produce odor-free polyolefins, and targets food-grade polypropylene without toxic byproducts. The process is scalable from lab to a 1000x larger demonstration plant and is positioned for further validation and feasibility work.
Overview
A sustainable recycling process designed to address multilayer film recycling challenges, such as crisp packets. The approach uses supercritical CO2 (scCO2) combined with green cosolvents to delaminate and de-ink films while decontaminating polymers. The goal is to produce food-grade polypropylene (PP) with no toxic byproducts. The process is non-toxic, recycles the scCO2 used, and eliminates effluents, supporting a lower-impact polymer recycling route.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Uses supercritical CO2 (scCO2) for delamination and de-inking of films
- Incorporates green cosolvents to enhance the de-inking process
- Removes volatile and semi-volatile chemicals to produce odor-free polyolefins
- Scalable to large production facilities, proven from lab to 1000x larger demonstration plant
- Capable of producing food-grade polypropylene suitable for consumer goods packaging
Technology readiness level
The process is at Technology Readiness Level 6, having transitioned from laboratory scale to a demonstration plant 1000 times larger. Future validation efforts include demonstration projects and technical and economic feasibility studies to prepare for large-scale implementation.
About Nextek / NEXTLOOPP Consortium
Nextek is a plastic recycling R&D firm driving the NEXTLOOPP project. The consortium includes consumer goods companies, resin producers, recyclers, and retailers collaborating to create food-safe recycled polypropylene.
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