Coveris opens second ReCover recycling facility to handle printed plastic packaging  

Dec 25, 2023

Christian Kolarik, Coveris CEO with Mark Dalby, Coveris Louth Managing Director at the ReCover Louth opening ceremony

Packaging manufacturer Coveris has announced the opening of a new recycling facility, the second in its portfolio. Coveris launched its new ReCover business segment last year in December as a platform for all the company's mechanical recycling activities - alongside the acquisition of a post-consumer waste mechanical recycling facility, which currently operates as ReCover Blaenavon. The aim is to facilitate the sourcing, processing, and recycling of waste at Coveris sites, allowing them to close their own loop and provide high-quality recyclates to third-party customers.

This new ReCover plant, located within Coveris’ PE extrusion and conversion site in Louth, Lincolnshire (UK), uses an innovative technology to recycle printed polyethylene (PE) films.

"When we started to develop ReCover, our ambition was to close the loop and introduce a new business model, establishing ourselves as a recycler with a clear leadership in technological know-how. With ReCover Louth we opened the second facility, which represents the next achievement milestone in our agenda," said Christian Kolarik, CEO of Coveris.

At this new 5,000 t/a facility, a de-inking process removes all ink from printed film packaging waste, which is then regranulated into high quality recycled PE resin, called ReGen. The development of these capabilities, which occurred over the course of two years, allow a larger and more consistent supply of ReGen recycled resin for use in packaging film production - reducing reliance on virgin raw material, eliminating waste and keeping plastic as part of a circular loop.

The facility comprises a ReCover Lab, a fully equipped laboratory to support innovation, quality control and validation of ReGen recyclate and its use in the extrusion of Coveris’ recycled content films.

Coveris Louth's printed film waste was previously recycled into building films. The new de-inking capabilities now allow ReGen pellets to be produced from this waste, for use in non-food packaging applications such as collation shrink films and tissue paper overwrap.

The printed waste feedstock used by the plant is obtained from within the Coveris Group, its customers’ production waste and suitable post-industrial waste films from the industry. The ReGen material will initially be used to fulfil requirements of recycled content within the Coveris Group and is compliant with the UK Plastic Packaging Tax, in addition to supporting UK Plastic Pact targets.

"Sustainability is at the heart of our business and the development and opening of ReCover Louth, our second recycling facility, is a significant step in our No Waste journey," said Martin Davis, Coveris’ Business Unit Films President.

"We are passionate about packaging and the value it brings; I am extremely proud of the Coveris and ReCover Louth teams for our ambitious and pioneering approach to developing and exploring new technologies to create a more sustainable future for packaging."

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