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There are a number of key issues relating to the use of recycled plastic for food contact applications: that contaminants from the post-consumer material may appear in the final food-contact product made from the recycled material; that recycled post-consumer material not regulated for food contact use may be incorporated into food contact packaging; and that additives/agents in the recycled plastic may not comply with the regulations for food contact use.
This e-book provides an authoritative overview of these important issues.
Executive summary
Introduction and methodology
Report scope
Report objective
Methodology
List of definitions
The food packaging industry
Current issues (e.g. regulatory, technical) surrounding the use of recycled plastics for food contact applications
Drivers and challenges recycled plastics producers face in trying to supply to this market
Recycled plastics for food packaging
Quality recycled plastics for food-grade applications
Candidate plastics (PP, PE)
Recycling methods (mechanical, chemical, closed-loop, open-loop)
Processing technologies
Applications (one-time use, multiple use)
Recycled product forms (bottles, food containers, trays)
Regulatory landscape
Current regulations and initiatives surrounding the use of recycled plastics for food contact applications
EU Regulation (EC) No. 282/2008
European Food Safety Authority's guideline document for those wishing to process recycled plastics
US FDA food contact guidelines
Contaminant testing procedures
Future trends
Outlook for the use of recycled plastics in food contact applications over the next five-10 years
Plastics processing technologies on the horizon
New food packaging materials (e.g. bio-based polymers)
Emerging regulations
Standards, testing methods