With the aim of meeting the demand for more sustainable multi-layer barrier casing solutions, DSM, SABIC, Cepsa, Fibrant, and Viscofan have together created a multi-barrier casing for meat products made via advanced recycling of post-consumer plastics.
Produced by Viscofan, the newly developed casing consists of several layers of different polymers. DSM Engineering Materials supplies the high-performance “certified circular” polyamide (PA) Akulon CRC-MB, and SABIC supplies the high-performance “certified circular” polyethylene (PE) from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio of circular solutions.
Both products are based on used and post-consumer plastics which would otherwise be discarded as landfill or lost to incineration. Using advanced recycling, the used plastic is converted into new feedstock, which then enters the production chain to deliver what the companies say are new “virgin-quality” materials.
DSM’s Akulon CRC-MB product is produced through a value chain collaboration involving a range of partners applying a mass-balancing approach. Firstly, SABIC produces benzene, based on materials produced via feedstock recycling of mixed-used plastics, which is used by Cepsa to make phenol.
Fibrant then uses the phenol to produce the caprolactam EcoLactam, which is provided to DSM to produce its polyamide. Finally, Viscofan combines the polyethylene and polyamide to produce the multi-barrier film used to create casings for a variety of meat products.
According to the companies, all of the advanced recycled materials within the value chain will have the globally recognized ISCC Plus certification and will not require re-qualification.
Jason Zhang, VP of performance polymers business lines at DSM Engineering Materials, comments: “By introducing Akulon CRC-MB, DSM is taking an exciting next step in its sustainability journey. The co-development of a recycled-based film for packaging applications underlines DSM’s commitment to working closely with partners, customers and suppliers to realize a more sustainable value chain and economy.”
Mark Vester, global circular economy leader at SABIC, adds: “We’re committed to finding innovative solutions that help to capture value from used plastic which would otherwise have been discarded.
“This includes collaborating with players across the entire value chain to provide access to more sustainable materials, made using our TRUCIRCLE portfolio of circular solutions, and to work towards a circular economy for plastics. We are delighted to work with partners including Cepsa, Fibrant, DSM and Viscofan to help make this vision a reality.”
