PS confirmed by Styrenics Circular Solutions as safe as a functional barrier for rigid food packaging made of recycled PS; findings are supported by studies performed by Fraunhofer IVV

September 12, 2022 (press release) –

• Polystyrene capable of serving as safe functional barrier for PS recyclate used as middle layer in ABA structure for food packaging, including yoghurt pots
• Comprehensive analysis performed by Fraunhofer IVV underscoring polystyrene’s low diffusion properties 

Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS), the value chain initiative to realise the circular economy for styrenic polymers, today announced that polystyrene (PS) can be used as a safe functional barrier for mechanically recycled PS (rPS) in rigid food packaging. These findings are supported by a scientific study performed by Fraunhofer IVV. 

The comprehensive study stress-tested the capacity of PS as a functional barrier by using purposely contaminated rPS as middle layer in a coextruded ABA structure. It confirmed once more the low diffusion properties of PS, which similar to PET, enable the safe use of mechanically recycled PS in food contact applications behind the PS functional barrier. Fraunhofer IVV performed the rigorous testing on real yoghurt pots, proving the safety in an ABA structure with up to 50% recycled polystyrene content. The results are applicable to all rigid thermoformed PS packaging.

Jens Kathmann, Secretary-General of SCS, said:

“This is another significant step for SCS. Now, we have not only multiple recycling technologies in place, from food contact mechanical recycling, dissolution to the chemical recycling technology depolymerization, all of which enable easy recycling of post-consumer PS waste to food contact material, over and over again. We also have multiple mechanical processes, like those of our partners NGR and Gneuss, which have proven to recycle PS to food grade standards. In addition, this study now demonstrates a second safe solution for incorporating mechanically recycled PS content in food contact materials. These results again broaden the range of circular options for the PS value chain.”

Claudio Bilotti, Polystyrene Marketing Manager of Versalis (ENI), commented:

“This is exciting news, as the value chain now has another solution for incorporating rPS into food contact applications that can be placed on the market right away. The proven functional barrier can be used immediately for yoghurt pots with rPS content as well as any rigid PS food contact packaging and expanded PS trays.”

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