Brazil strengthens new methods for packaging recycling

Brazilian researchers have successfully developed a new method for recycling reinforced packaging materials and have filed a patent application. Reinforced packaging laminated by paper, plastic, and aluminum foil is increasingly used in the packaging of food and medicine. Although the reinforced packaging material has the characteristics of durability, corrosion resistance, and strong freshness, the structural characteristics of the packaging make its recycling problematic. A completely new separation technology successfully developed by eight researchers from the Parana Institute of Technology in Brazil has solved this problem. Yarisandro Takamatsu, who is in charge of the study, said: “We use a special chemical solvent to recover the three components of the package.” Takamatsu said after immersing the reinforced bags in the solvent for two and a half minutes, Plastics, aluminum and paper in the packaging material will be layered. The three components are then manually separated and the residual solvent is removed with high pressure. The three substances can be easily separated and recovered. This solvent is effective for any kind of paper and PVC plastic or polyethylene. According to reports, this technology is not only suitable for packaging of milk and juice, but also for thinner packaging such as salt, vacuum coffee and eggs. “At present, we are still making cost estimates. This kind of solvent has not yet begun commercial production, but the cost of using this technology will not be very high. The raw material of the solvent is not difficult to find.”