A DANISH firm has developed a plastic material that it says could “revolutionise” the plastics packaging and recycling industries.
Færch Plast A/S says its black CPET can be detected by Near InfraRed sensors, which could enable recyclers to sort black CPET in the mixed plastics waste stream for the first time.
The manufacturer developed the new material in conjunction with stakeholders WRAP, Nextek, Titech, Eurofins and leading UK supermarkets.
Senior manager Jesper Emil Jensen said: “Until now, recycling of black CPET has not been possible as it can’t be detected by the NIR sensors used by most recyclers.
“It has been a complicated project because the current pigment is both good at what it does and is also the cheapest form of black available on the market.
“However, I am delighted to report that after considerable testing and trials using different dyes and pigments we now have a ‘world first’ recyclable solution that is cost effective, aesthetically pleasing and functional.”
