Saperatec GmbH develops a recycling plant in Germany to sort packaging materials for reuse

Saperatec is, at this moment, engrossed in constructing its first recycling plant in Germany, specialising in composite packaging in addition to segregating thin layer composite materials from aluminium barriers during its exceptional recycling process.

Saperatec is working with composite flexible packaging materials and aluminium foil barriers alongside plastics and aluminium retrieved from beverage cartons. The company resuscitates these materials and aims to recycle them separately while keeping their composition and value intact.

As Saperatec claims, the mechanical process does not stain the compound nor pollute the processed material so that it can be reused again for making safe cartons or aluminium cans. Moreover, the method uses chemicals provisioned under the EU food contact regulations. Though used more than thirty times during the process, the hot-wash separation fluids are allegedly water-based and solvent-free.

Düsseldorf-based Henkel had somewhat contributed in 2019 to the development of the technology, basically focusing on measuring the process faster than the usual time required for research, development and commercialisation. Both the partners are now optimistic about the utility of the process and have foreseen its bright future. This could create a boom in the recycling sector as the difficulty of segregation and sorting would be dealt with just fine.

The organisations now vouch that this technology could enhance future recyclability modules for a broad range of composite packaging materials having percentages of plastics, metal, glass or paper.

Saperatec even alluded that its delamination technology has been subjected to deep scrutiny in the materials science labs and pilot environments close to industrial zones. After many successful experiments, it has been proved that the process produces recycled material that can be used as an alternative for primary raw materials in all film and foil-based packaging solutions.

The company illustrates that the ‘highly encouraging results’ are directly proportional to the tempo with which the multi-layer delamination plant in Dessau, Germany, is progressing. The unit is estimated to process around 18,000 tonnes of packaging waste each year, with retail marketing set to begin in 2023.

The CEO of Saperatec GmbH, Thorsten Hornung, promptly addressed the listeners: “After years of extensive research and thorough testing, we are thrilled to be constructing our first industrial-scale recycling plant, which will commence operations next year.”

“Our goal is to have a lasting impact on the circularity of composite packaging materials, which have proven notoriously challenging to separate and repurpose,” she emphasised.