Focus on post-consumer polyolefin films

The plant is designed to process post-consumer polyolefin films, including polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), into recycled resin suitable for food-contact applications. The operational phase addresses a key technical barrier in food-grade film recycling: the reliable removal of contaminants from flexible packaging waste streams.

Supercritical CO₂ purification process

The COtooCLEAN technology applies supercritical CO₂ extraction to remove embedded substances such as oils, odours and legacy contaminants. The process penetrates the polymer matrix and complements existing mechanical recycling methods, which are limited in their ability to eliminate such impurities.

Preparation for regulatory approval

The commissioning of the plant initiates a phase of industrial-scale trials starting in April 2026. Over a planned period of two years, operational data will be generated to support European regulatory approval for food-grade film recycling applications. The trials will also assess process stability, scalability and material quality.

Integration into recycling infrastructure

The facility is integrated into Coveris’ ReCover recycling operations. The COtooCLEAN process is intended to expand existing mechanical recycling capabilities, particularly for applications with higher quality requirements such as food packaging.

Industrial validation and market relevance

The demonstration plant will serve as a platform to validate the technology under industrial conditions and to demonstrate its commercial applicability. The project aims to contribute to increasing the availability of recycled materials suitable for food-contact use and to support the transition towards circular material flows in flexible packaging.