Recycling of Packaging That Contains Aluminum Foil a Focus
Henkel has announced its investment in Saperatec, a start-up with patented technology that allows the separation and recycling of flexible packaging that contains aluminum foil. The two companies have been collaborating for over two years to develop and enhance a range of customized recyclable adhesive solutions. Henkel aims to provide its industrial customers with comprehensive and efficient recycling solutions for flexible packaging especially in the food industry, according to a Henkel press release.
“We are committed to driving sustainable development toward a circular economy. Saperatec’s technology is the first to allow efficient and high-value recycling of flexible aluminum composite packaging,” explained Paolo Bavaj, Head of Corporate Venturing at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, in the company release. “Our collaboration has led to the development of new high-performance adhesives, which are compatible with Saperatec’s technology. We will now continue to expand and optimize this product range for flexible packaging in order to provide our broad customer base all along the value chain and especially in the food packaging industry with sustainable and efficient added value.”
Innovative and cost-efficient recycling technology
The recycling technology created by Saperatec GmbH separates the individual layers of composite materials and maximizes the quantity of materials for use. To do this, the pilot facility uses chemical-physical processes that separate the materials from one another without disintegrating them. The individual layers (for example polyethylene, PET and aluminum) are then sorted after the separation process and reintroduced into the value chain as high-quality, single-origin materials that can be used for a broad variety of industrial applications. The company is starting to build its first production plant in Europe after closing the fund-raising round.
“We are proud that Henkel, the world’s leading adhesives manufacturer, is convinced about our technology. We look forward to extending our successful collaboration, because the recyclability of packaging should be an integral part of today´s society,” said Sebastian Kernbaum, Managing Director of Saperatec, in the Henkel release. “In Europe alone, many thousand tons of waste of flexible packaging for the food industry are generated annually. The removal of this waste is cost-intensive. We will offer an innovative and cost-efficient recycling technology that makes it possible to reintroduce 100 percent of the production materials into the raw-material cycle, among others thanks to the right adhesive design.”
