For Enval, the ultimate aim of the project is to see our first recycling plants in the United States. These plants will be capable of recycling previously unrecyclable plastic packaging using our unique proprietary pyrolysis technology for treating low-density packaging waste. As you may know, Enval’s process has dual objectives: it transforms plastics into oil feedstock to produce new plastic, effectively closing the loop on packaging recycling and therefore it enables previously unrecyclable packaging to become valuable and environmentally responsible. Furthermore, it is the only technology in the world capable of recycling plastic aluminium laminates by splitting them into high-value oil and aluminium with a low-carbon footprint.
The first phase of the project will involve Enval assessing the current disposal solutions for materials used by Sonoco and Kraft Heinz during the production and use respectively of flexible plastic packaging. At the end of the first phase, we will produce, with input from the other partners, a feasibility study which will include potential locations for future recycling plants in a way in which the financial and environmental costs associated with transporting the packaging to the recycling plants is minimised. This approach is possible because the Enval technology was conceived in a modular way which ensures that economic viability of the process starts at a “small” scale.
Enval will then continue the project by building these plants, which could initially target the treatment of scrap generated by Sonoco and Kraft Heinz, but with the idea of incorporating post-consumer waste in the future.
Dr Carlos Ludlow-Palafox, CEO of Enval, commented:
“We’re thrilled to be working with two groups as important in the consumer packaged goods and packaging communities as Kraft Heinz and Sonoco. We’re convinced that it is only via these types of collaborations, which involve players at different stages of the supply chain, that new technologies such as ours can be deployed quicker. We must quickly establish new and better infrastructure to succeed in reducing plastic pollution and decreasing carbon emissions.”
Linda Roman, Head of Packaging Growth & Technology at Kraft Heinz, said:
“We see a high-demand for recyclable packaging amongst our consumers, which matches our goal of offering more sustainable products. The company began a relationship with Enval in 2011 to help construct their first commercial-scale plant in the UK, andwe are excited to also explore opportunities to advance packaging recycling with Enval in the United States.”
Jeff Schuetz, Staff Vice President – Global Technology, Consumer Packaging at Sonoco, added:
“While flexible packaging has a low environmental footprint, we recognize that innovation is needed in recycling technologies to improve its end-of-life options. Sonoco believes the combination of product and recycling innovation will provide a compelling solution and we are happy to partner with Enval on this exciting project.”
