Solvay takes on recycling of PVDC food packaging

Brussels-based Solvay says it has conducted a proof of concept showing that polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) potentially can be recycled. The material is used in food, beverage and health care multilayer barrier packaging.

The company says its work involves a process to recycle postindustrial Ixan PVDC bioriented film that does not compromise the performance of the high barrier polymer that holds the potential to be expanded to postconsumer packaging containing PVDC.

Rather than using a mechanical recycling process, according to the company, it is using a form of advanced recycling that involves “an innovative solvent-based recycling process.”

The company says it “has developed the internal knowledge and capabilities to scale up this process with the required investments and value chain collaboration to collect and sort PVDC packaging waste. Most importantly, recycled Ixan PVDC is capable of maintaining the same properties as virgin PVDC resin; indeed, in terms of processing, barrier properties and purity, no gaps have been identified. Therefore, recycled Ixan PVDC is expected to be used in typical PVDC resin applications, where high-performance barrier properties are required,” such as food and medical packaging, gas transportation and protective clothing.

“The proof of concept developed by our research team is a solution for PVDC packaging circularity,” says Claire Guerrero, Solvay global marketing manager for Packaging Segment and Sustainability. “It shows there is a possibility to reintegrate the recycled polymer into future applications, meaning it can be reused and reblended with virgin materials—without losing or degrading its high barrier properties."

“The recycling technology developed by our team enables us to achieve the right quality so that the recycled PVDC meets the strict requirements for indirect food contact, creating the closed loop,” adds Yves Vanderveken, senior project portfolio leader R&I.

Solvay says maintaining the high quality of the polymer was essential as it provides a strong barrier against water, oxygen and aromas.

The company says it now is urging other companies to work together to make recycling PVDC into reality, particularly when it comes to developing the infrastructure required to collect and segregate PVDC packaging.

Guerrero says, “It goes without saying that setting a global PVDC recycling stream is a huge task, so we are therefore inviting our fellow companies to work alongside us to introduce a way to recycle PVDC across the globe. We all have a role to play in the plastic packaging recycling challenge, and Solvay is committed to playing its part.”