Aimplas leads the SafeReuse project

The European Union’s newly approved packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) sets mandatory targets for the progressive reuse of packaging.

However, according to Valencia, Spain-based Aimplas, the Plastics Technology Centre, there currently are no standardized procedures to assess the food safety risks associated with this reuse. In response, Aimplas, is leading the SafeReuse project, which aims to evaluate the risks associated with reusable plastic food packaging when exposed to high temperatures in microwaves and dishwashers.

Funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the initiative also seeks to establish a methodology that guarantees food safety and consumer health protection, while providing a system to support compliance with regulatory requirements.

According to Aimplas, through in vitro bioassays, SafeReuse will complete the analysis of nonintentionally added substances and microplastics that may be released from reusable plastic materials, ensuring their safety.

“These short-term bioassays also play an increasingly important role in identifying toxicological risks,” says Mamen Moreno, researcher at the Food Contact and Packaging Laboratory at Aimplas.

One of the main challenges of the project is the lack of standardized procedures to comprehensively assess these risks, making SafeReuse an innovative initiative in the sector.

“Its development will provide a reliable methodology to help market surveillance authorities, manufacturers and retailers ensure that reusable packaging complies with safety requirements,” Moreno says.

Moreover, by demonstrating the validity of the methodologies developed for analyzing NIAS and MPs, the project contributes to building trust in the safety of plastic products used in microwaves and dishwashers.

“This could help shift negative perceptions and promote a more realistic and balanced view of plastics, their health impacts, and their environmental footprint,” Moreno says.

According to Aimplas, SafeReuse represents a step forward in the safety of reusable food packaging, ensuring that the growing use of these materials in the food industry does not compromise consumer health. With this project, Aimplas aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, 9 and 12, promoting greater safety in reusable plastic materials and reducing the risk of exposure to unwanted substances.

The research results will improve the consumer experience by providing personalized, data-driven recommendations. This will enable users to make informed decisions and adopt safer consumption practices in their daily lives, according to Moreno.

The project also gives companies a competitive edge in the increasingly demanding field of food safety. It is being carried out in collaboration with Pohuer Creative Injection, S.L. and Great Plastic, S.L.U., two companies in the manufacturing and development of plastic materials.

This project is part of the IVACE+i aid program for non-economic research and development projects carried out by technology centers in the Valencian Community in collaboration with companies for the 2024 fiscal year. It is funded by the ERDF under the 2021–2027 Operational Program.