PRESS RELEASE: ReBioCycle demonstrates closed-loop recycling of PLA bioplastics from mixed plastic waste

PLA bioplastics can be recycled from mixed plastic waste and returned to virgin-quality material, marking a significant step toward circular packaging in Europe.

The consortium confirmed that PLA can be effectively sorted from mixed plastic waste streams using existing technologies, before being chemically broken down into lactic acid and rebuilt into high-quality PLA with properties equivalent to virgin material.

Project coordinator Kevin O’Connor said the results demonstrate that circular solutions for bioplastics are already within reach. “This is about making circularity real for industry,” he said. “We’ve connected the full value chain in a way that supports both regulatory compliance and the transition away from fossil-based to bio-based materials .”

“Demonstrating that recycling PLA from mixed waste collection to new high-quality PLA material is a reality, is a major step in fulfilling the ambitions of the PPWR in terms of packaging recyclability” says Maelenn Ravard, Regulatory and Sustainability Manager at TotalEnergies Corbion.

“Achieving circularity is all about having a strong value chain and this is the strength of ReBioCycle consortium”.

Credits: TotalEnergies Corbion TORWASH Gerrit Gobius du Sart Jan Pels

Press release text: https://totalenergies-corbion.com/rebiocycle-demonstrates-closed-loop-recycling-of-pla-bioplastics-from-mixed-plastic-waste/

Pictures: Jerrycan containing the raw liquor (the result of the process). Author: Jan Pels, TORWASH.