PolyMOD: Recycled Polymer modification for enhanced end of life applications

Annually, over 348millions tonnes of plastic are consumed globally. 64million of this within the EU with 5 million tonnes in the UK. However, very little of this plastic is recycled. Here in the UK, we recycle a mere 25% of the plastic that is collected for recycling, with only around 5% being reused in packaging applications. The reason for this is difficulty - not only are plastics very hard to separate from one another but they are also hard to reuse in high-value application such as packaging, due to high levels of contamination and unsuitability for remanufacture.

ReVentas is ground breaking technology that can purify PE and PP of all pigments and additives allowing it to be returned to a 'virgin-like' polymer state. This allows the recycled plastic to be reused in manufacturing again and again.

This project will focus on developing a process to selectively "tune" the end properties of recycled Polyethylene, one of the most common plastic used in packing. By adjusting the physical properties through molecular weight, ReVentas will be able to develop polymers adjusted to the the customers needs (blow moulding, injection moulding, film) and remove the variability inherent in waste plastic feedstocks. Ultimately this will greatly increasing the use of recycled polymer in packaging applications by giving manufacturers the performance and reliability they need whilst also opening up a new feedstock for ReVentas to tackle.

With the UK about to embark on it's 'green industrial revolution' announced by the Government, ReVentas stands to be at the forefront of UK ambition to be a global power in green and sustainable technologies.