A new collaboration between industry and Government marks the first step towards a circular economy for soft plastic packaging in New Zealand.
A joint feasibility study to determine the technical, economic, and environmental benefits of a local advanced recycling industry, the joint effort is by Licella, Oji Fibre Solutions, Plasback, Silver Fern Farms, and Woolworths New Zealand. With additional support from the Ministry for the Environment’s Plastics Innovation Fund.
Advanced chemical recycling is new technology for New Zealand and turns waste plastics back into oil – offering a new life for post-consumer soft plastic that is difficult to recycle mechanically and often ends up in landfill. This oil re-enters the plastics supply chain as a substitute for fossil oil. Advanced recycling complements New Zealand’s existing recycling options and creates a circular solution for a wide range of difficult to recycle plastic.
The Feasibility Study will evaluate potential sites in New Zealand to establish an advanced chemical recycling facility using Licella’s innovative Australian Cat-HTR (Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor) technology.
First Steps for Soft Plastics
The Cat-HTR platform is an innovative advanced recycled technology that uses hot, pressurised water, via a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction, to continuously recycle end-of-life plastic that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
"Advanced chemical recycling has an important place in the circular economy for plastic, creating greater value and less emissions than waste to energy. With a commercial project already under development in Australia, New Zealand has the advantage of being a fast follower to quickly adopt state of the art technology that can potentially revolutionise how we manage plastic," said Simon Mathewson, Licella’s GM of Business Development.
Alan Nicholl, Licella CEO, explained that advanced recycling in New Zealand could provide food brands access to the food-grade recycled packaging that they require. "We’re excited to be working alongside a diverse and highly respected international consulting team and industry partners who are the leaders in their field."
Catherine Langabeer, Woolworths New Zealand’s head of sustainability, said they are proud to be supporting the feasibility study and hopes it will make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable and future-fit Aotearoa New Zealand.
"Our customers want to see focussed action on plastics and for us to move quickly to find more circular solutions for waste," she said.
"We have ambitious plans to meet that demand and absolutely support the need to accelerate New Zealand innovation with studies like this," she said.
"As a large player in NZ’s paper-based packaging and recycling sectors, we are keen to understand the application of this technology, so we will be very interested in the study findings," added Jon Ryder, CEO of OJIFS.
Kate Beddoe, Silver Fern Farms' chief sustainability and risk officer, said the company has been actively working towards a circular use model, with a particular focus on PPE use and packaging.
"In the short term, plastics play a critical role in our product quality, safety and shelf life, and in protecting our people at work. However, alongside options for plastic alternatives, we are also keen for medium term solutions that close the loop on recycling of contaminated plastics. This project is a very important step towards solving that for New Zealand," said Beddoe.
"The Agricultural sector has been working on the collection and processing of plastic for about 17 years but has largely been consigned to exporting for processing, the plastic is often industrial and has levels of contamination that make it less preferable for mechanical recycling processors due to the high costs associated with the process in New Zealand," said Neal Shaw, Plasback's commercial manager.
"Plasback is supportive of finding alternative solutions and is pleased to be able to contribute to the feasibility study to determine the benefits with a view to recycling the more difficult to recycle plastics."
Read more about soft plastics HERE
