Recycled Plastics In Packaging Applications

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The growth of recycled plastics for packaging applications is linked to two key drivers: (1) the economics for cost-in-use compared to that of virgin plastic resin based on fossil-fuel feedstocks, and (2) the supply chain for recycled plastic resin feedstocks (e.g., availability of municipal waste). Furthermore, growth of recycled plastics specifically for food contact applications (largest end-use) is linked to a third key driver: the regulations that allow the safe use of recycled plastics in food packaging applications. This eBook reviews the packaging market and how and why mechanically recycled plastics are being used more and more in this field. The regulatory landscape is reviewed with respect to food packaging in particular, along with a review of factors that will affect how recycled plastic-based packaging progresses, including some of the developments underway amongst key industry players.

Executive Summary

Introduction
The Packaging Industry
Recycled Plastics for Packaging
The Plastics Recycling Option
- Plastic Recycling Methods, Approaches and Food
Packaging
Regulatory Landscape
- US FDA Food Notification (FCN) System
- Europe
- Plastics Implementing Measure
Outlook for Recycled Plastics

Introduction and Methodology

Introduction
Objective
Scope
Methodology
Definitions

The Packaging Industry

Recycled Plastics for Packaging
The Plastics Recycling Option
Recycled Plastics for Food Packaging
Recycling Processes
- Plastic Process Scrap Recycling
- Mechanical Recycling
- Chemical or Feedstock Recycling
US EPA
- rPET Container Recycling
- Closed-loop Recycling

Regulatory Landscape

US FDA
- Current Regulations and Initiatives
- - Guidance for Industry
- US FDA Food Notification (FCN) System
Europe
- PIM
Mercosur

Future Trends

Recycled Plastics for Packaging and Food Contact
Energy Costs -- The Strongest Driver for Renewable Solutions
New Packaging Materials -- Biopolymers
Future Innovations and Processes
- Other Innovations

Tables & Figures

TABLE 0.1 Approaches to municipal waste by region (%)
TABLE 0.2 Recycled plastic products in the US (%)
TABLE 2.1 Plastics and typical additives
TABLE 3.1 Recycling codes
TABLE 3.2 Approaches to municipal waste by region (%)
TABLE 3.3 Recycled plastic products in the US (%)
TABLE 3.4 Post-consumer non-bottle rigids recovered in the US (%)
TABLE 4.1 Regulatory approaches by region
TABLE 4.2 Residue levels in various recycled polymers
TABLE 4.3 Sorption of surrogate contaminants into PET List of Figures

FIGURE 0.1 Global rigid and flexible packaging demand, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 0.2 Global packaging demand by material, 2010
FIGURE 0.3 Global packaging demand by type, 2010
FIGURE 0.4 Global share of polymer consumption by region, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 0.5 rPET applications by share, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 2.1 Global rigid and flexible packaging demand, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 2.2 Global packaging demand by material, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 2.3 Global packaging demand by type, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 2.4 Share of materials used in food packaging, 2009 - 2010 (%)
FIGURE 2.5 Diagram of food packaging migration issues
FIGURE 2.6 Global shares of rigid packaging and beverage packaging, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 3.1 Global polymer consumption by region, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 3.2 Polymer recycling diagram
FIGURE 3.3 Recycling options
FIGURE 3.4 Value vs. energy content
FIGURE 3.5 Recycle symbol for PET or PETE
FIGURE 3.6 Recycled PET (rPET) process
FIGURE 3.7 Applications for rPET, 2010 (%)
FIGURE 3.8 Design for recycling guidelines for PET bottles
FIGURE 4.1 FCN system diagram
FIGURE 4.2 US FDA regulatory options
FIGURE 4.3 US FDA toxicology data recommendations
FIGURE 4.4 EU toxicology data recommendations
FIGURE 4.5 Summary of food contact regulations in the US, EU, and Mercosur
FIGURE 5.1 Global consumption of biopolymers, 2009