Versatile Packaging have recently been researching the development of solutions that enable the mechanical recycling of black plastic packaging that is currently destined for energy recovery.
Our Trays can now be supplied to you with identifiable colourants that are detectable by Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The approach of using NIR detectable colourants was shown to work with APET, RPET, CPET, PP, HDPE and PS during large-scale trials at a MRF.
For the avoidance of doubt, the intention of our research project was to visit sorting facilities and put our trays to the test. Our black and coloured NIR detectable trays were all correctly identified by the optical NIR sensors and were sorted into the correct polymer stream in both the MRF and PRF facilities.