Interseroh's Centre of Competence for Plastics Recycling receives accreditation

Interseroh has announced that its Centre of Competence for Plastics Recycling in Maribor, Slovenia, was awarded its official international accreditation in March, making it the only recognized research institution in the EU to specialize in the development and analysis of postconsumer resin (PCR).

“When it comes to supplying industry with good quality recycled raw materials, this is an important step forwards,” says Manica Ulcnik-Krump, head of business unit Recycled-Resource at Interseroh Dienstleistungs GmbH, Cologne, Gemany. “The international accreditation according to laboratory standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 confirms the considerable technical know-how of our Centre of Competence and creates transparency and confidence in the market.”

The standard sets the general requirements regarding the competence, impartiality and operation of laboratories. In fulfilling the standard, Interseroh says it can demonstrate it achieves valid results and ensure international acceptance. The research center has fulfilled the requirements of the Slovenian accreditation body Slovenska Akreditacija (SA).

Interseroh has operated the center since 2016. In 2017, the environmental services provider was awarded the Slovenian Environmental Prize for the development of its Recycled-Resource upcycling process.

"We are working on producing ever-improving, market-oriented plastic recyclates from used packaging, which are a sustainable alternative to primary material," Ulcnik-Krump says. "In this respect, assured global standards for processes, analytics and quality control are essential."

The accreditation confirms that Interseroh achieves the international requirements regarding the mechanical and physical analyses of plastics. The standardized test procedures serve to improve the long-term stability of the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the material and its suitability for sophisticated applications. Examples include a high level of low-temperature resistance and tensile strength of the boxes and pallets that are used in the supply chain or the surface scratch resistance of furniture, the company says.

 "This offers genuine added value both to our customers and all interested companies," Ulcnik-Krump says. “The accreditation is a seal of quality for our work,m as well as being the 'license to test' from the leading authority. It allows us to offer the independent and standard-compliant quality testing of recyclates as a service on the market."

Interseroh is a subsidiary of the Alba Group, a leading recycling and environmental services company that is based in Berlin.