Coexpan and Eslava launch a project for recycling rPS to food-grade standards

Coexpan, the rigid packaging business unit of Grupo Lantero, and Eslava are taking a decisive step towards the future of sustainable packaging with the launch of a project for recycling post-consumer polystyrene (rPS) to food-grade standards.

Through the collaborative development of an innovative decontamination technology, currently at an advanced validation stage, both companies are laying the groundwork for the reintroduction of recycled polystyrene into the food circuit, complying with the most demanding safety and quality requirements.

Thanks to their decontamination system, a yoghurt cup can be turned back into another yoghurt cup, thus closing the product’s life cycle. Only in 2024 over 350,000 tonnes of polystyrene were used in yoghurt packaging, so the ability to recycle this post-consumer volume and return it to the food circuit represents a unique opportunity to move towards a more circular, responsible, and resilient model.

The initiative is based on mechanical recycling, a system recognised by the European Union as the preferred route for being the most sustainable option with the lowest carbon footprint. The project anticipates the demands of the new PPWR Regulation, which requires the inclusion of recycled content in PS packaging intended for food contact.

Eslava holds all the necessary quality and traceability certificates. Additionally, it brings its experience in separation and purification through artificial intelligence, ensuring a stable supply of recycled raw material thanks to long-term agreements.