The Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (Ivace+i) has funded a new research project led by the Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS), focused on finding new methods for cleaning and decontaminating recycled plastics to enable their reuse in the food sector.
Specifically, the research targets the decontamination of polyolefins, a type of material widely used in packaging. Through this initiative, AIMPLAS is working on advanced decontamination techniques capable of transforming post-consumer waste into safe recycled materials, in line with the guidelines of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
According to Marián Cano, Regional Minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, “the plastics sector is making significant efforts to move towards sustainability, but a commitment involving all actors in the supply chain is needed—one that promotes innovation, collaboration, and changes in consumer behavior.”
In this regard, Cano highlighted AIMPLAS’s work in tackling the complex challenge of meeting the food safety requirements established by European regulations, ensuring the protection of consumers.
Technical challenges
“Unlike other materials, polyolefin recycling presents major technical challenges. Their wide range of uses, the presence of multiple additives, and their chemical behavior make the decontamination processes more complex and demand specialized technologies,” explained Adrián Morales, lead researcher in Mechanical Recycling at AIMPLAS.
For this reason, the project’s approach aims “not only to comply with European regulations and directives but also to ensure consumer protection and trust in packaged food products,” Morales added.
This progress represents an opportunity for companies—especially SMEs—to incorporate recycled materials into their production processes with guaranteed safety and traceability.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with ACTECO, SPBERNER, and PICDA, companies committed to innovation and sustainability that are actively involved in validating the technologies developed. Additionally, the DECONWASTE project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AIMPLAS believes that “this research will help companies overcome one of the main bottlenecks in polyolefin recycling, enabling the use of materials that until now have been discarded in the manufacturing of new packaging or other products in direct contact with food.”
With this project, AIMPLAS reaffirms its position as a benchmark in applying science and technology to address major sustainability challenges in the plastics industry, fostering a more circular, safe, and environmentally aligned economy in line with European policy.
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