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Recycled Polypropylene: A Green Solution for Industrial and Agricultural Packaging

Are you looking for eco-friendly agricultural packaging solutions? As far as sustainable packaging materials go, polypropylene (PP) remains a best-in-class option. A popular choice in the food industry, advancements in green technology are making recycled polypropylene more durable, reliable, and cost-effective than ever before.

By Codefine
, September 20, 2024

Blog, Products and Materials

Polypropylene Recycling Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Although polypropylene is recyclable, it’s by no means the simplest plastic recycling process around. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the steps involved in making PP bags an eco-friendly packaging solution.

1. Collection, Sorting, and Separation

After collection, polypropylene needs to be sorted and separated from other types of plastic. What’s more, it needs to be removed from any contaminants. This is achieved via a process called sink-float separation. PP is less dense than other materials, meaning it will float to the surface while other materials sink to the bottom.

2. Cleaning

Once separation is completed, any residual contaminants are removed from the PP. These contaminants can pose a significant problem for the recycling process and limit applications for any products made from recycled material.

3. Melting

Once separated, polypropylene is then heated to high temperatures of around 400°F by being fed into an extruder. This is the melting point of polypropylene, with these high temperatures turning solid matter into a liquid.

4. Cooling

After being turned into a liquid, polypropylene is then cooled. This cooling process turns liquid polypropylene into pellets, which can in turn be used to make all manner of plastic products.

Benefits of Using Recycled Polypropylene

Whether it’s being used in the food manufacturing industry or agriculture packaging, recycled polypropylene has many benefits.

A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Option

Only a fraction of plastics like polypropylene are actually recycled, with most of it ending up in landfills. Alongside the unnecessary waste and consumption of raw materials, these methods of disposal are bad for the environment, reducing harmful toxins into the atmosphere and natural habitats. Furthermore, using recycled PP means that fewer fossil fuels are required to produce brand-new polypropylene products.

Versatile Applications

Recycled polypropylene is incredibly versatile. It’s often almost as strong and flexible as virgin PP, especially if recycled polypropylene has been blended with new PP. This means that recycled polypropylene has near-endless applications and can be used to produce all manner of products.

Significant Cost Savings

By disposing of less and recycling more PP, companies can save a small fortune on disposal costs. Businesses of any size will feel the benefits, especially larger operations with a considerable dependency on PP and plastic polymers.

Who Needs To Recycle Polypropylene?

Every business producing polypropylene waste should consider recycling the material. Essential for maintaining green credentials and operating sustainably, recycling polypropylene and making an eco-conscious effort to use recycled PP products ensures every company is doing its bit for the planet. What’s more, recycled polypropylene can save organizations considerable sums of money.

Challenges of Polypropylene Recycling

Embracing recycled plastic is a crucial part of sustainability. However, polypropylene is difficult to recycle when compared to other types of plastic. This is largely down to the separation process that forms a key component of PP recycling. Polypropylene melts at a different temperature than other varieties of plastic, making separation time-consuming and relatively expensive. What’s more, the removal of contaminants needs to be guaranteed if the recycling process is to be successful.

Additionally, polypropylene becomes weaker and less flexible the more times it is recycled. Every time the material is recycled, the bonds between its core components of carbon and hydrogen break down. However, one solution for this is to blend recycled polypropylene with virgin polypropylene when making products like industrial packaging solutions.

Applications in Industrial Packaging

A popular choice for industrial packaging, polypropylene is a common substitute for other packaging solutions such as cellophane and paper. Not only is PP relatively inexpensive, it’s incredibly flexible. It can be used to construct rigid packaging, such as bottles, crates, and jars, as well as more flexible types of packaging for the food manufacturing industry. It’s also a common material for making storage and shipping solutions such as FIBC containers and FIBC bags.

Innovations in Agricultural Packaging

The versatility of polypropylene makes it a sought-after choice of material throughout the agricultural sector. Durable and resistant to moisture and pests, they’re an ideal choice for storing and shipping food items. For example, bags made from PP are perfect for storing vast quantities of crops, as well as animal feed and things like fertilizer.

PP bags with a breathable construction are particularly useful for handling perishable items, allowing for optimal air circulation that helps keep foodstuffs fresh and avoid premature spoilage. This not only ensures a better quality product for the consumer but it also helps suppliers maintain healthy revenues and profit margins.

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Economic and Environmental Impact

Using recycled polypropylene has an obvious positive environmental impact. For starters, fewer greenhouse gas emissions are produced during the manufacturing process. When compared to the carbon cost of producing brand-new material, recycled polypropylene produces around 40% fewer emissions.

Additionally, switching to recycled polypropylene lowers the need for natural resources, in particular oil and gas. A significant proportion of the oil that is extracted around the world is used in plastic packaging production. It’s worth remembering that oil reserves aren’t limitless, so switching to a recycled alternative helps protect reserves and keep costs down.

A move to recycled polypropylene also brings many economic benefits. Offering consumers an eco-friendly alternative to virgin materials lowers the demand for them. This increases availability and access to these raw materials, ensuring production costs remain low. These costs can be passed onto consumers in the form of more affordable packaging and products.

The Future of Recycled Polypropylene

Whether it’s used for farm packaging, in the construction sector bags, or as part of food manufacturing packaging and supply chains, recycled materials remain a firm fixture of the packaging industry. Polypropylene remains one of the most commonly recycled plastics, with the polypropylene recycling market worth an estimated $8.2 million in 2022. By 2030, the global market is expected to be worth around $13.5 billion.

Interested in making your operation more sustainable? Packaging solutions made from recycled polypropylene are now more reliable and affordable than ever. At Codefine, we’ve been committed to offering customers greener alternatives to industrial packaging since the 1950s. Looking for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional packaging? Why not explore our full product range today to discover your options? Alternatively, send us a query via the online contact form.

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