Part 1/3: TPE as Part of Polyolefin Recycling Streams

The recyclability of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or more specifically Thermoplastic Styrene Elastomers (TPE-S or TPS) in plastic recycling streams has been a hot topic for decades. While the number of co-molded hard/soft packaging and consumer goods with TPE has grown, the modified 94/62/EC Packaging Directive demands higher recycling rates for packaging waste, and the packaging industry is developing solutions to address the transformation from a linear to a circular plastics economy.

For the development of materials, recyclability will be the focus more than ever. Thus, the packaging industry is developing solutions aiming at the needs and requirements of the circular economy. There are guidelines and national recommendations for the design of plastic packaging. The sorting process is focused on material groups and recognizes the main polymer and sorts, for example, multi-component packaging made of PP with portions of TPS into the PP stream.

 

In view of concerns regarding the feasibility of TPE as part of circular polyolefin solutions, we started a project in 2020 to proof the compatibility of selected TPS materials with PP and HDPE recycling streams. Together with Institut cyclos-HTP as independent project partner, we worked to establish a solid scientific basis for evaluating and redefining the co-recyclability of TPE.

The result: Appropriate certificates of co-recyclability in PP and HDPE recycling streams are publicly accessible and can be downloaded for each compound in the database from our website.