Polypropylene (PP), one of the most widely used plastics in packaging, remains one of the most difficult materials to recycle into food-contact applications. A European initiative, Nextloopp, has announced progress in tackling this challenge by developing processes that transform kerbside post-consumer PP waste into food-grade compliant resin.
According to the project, the approach has already received validation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while documentation with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been submitted and the data required for approval is in preparation. Production is planned in the UK, Europe and the Americas. The aim is to manufacture recycled PP at scale that meets food-contact standards and builds confidence across the packaging value chain.
Nextloopp positions its activities as part of a broader effort to provide local solutions to Europe’s plastic waste problem. Instead of focusing only on regulatory compliance, the initiative stresses its role in creating a closed loop: ensuring that PP collected from households can return as safe packaging material. “Polypropylene is one of the most challenging plastics to recycle into food-contact packaging, yet it is also one of the most commonly found in kerbside collections across Europe,” said Edward Kosior, Founder of Nextek and Nextloopp. “Our science-based solutions prove that Europe can turn its own post-consumer waste into a valuable, safe resource – achieving food-grade compliance while directly addressing a local environmental issue.”
The project has also started to expand into the Americas. It involves a network of stakeholders across the PP supply chain, from collection and processing to packaging producers. Observers see the initiative as a step towards supporting the EU’s Green Deal and its circular economy strategy, while also aligning with similar ambitions in other regions. By focusing on scalable, commercially viable and compliant recycled PP, Nextloopp aims to contribute to reducing Europe’s dependence on virgin plastics and to advancing resource efficiency in packaging.
