Repsol has reached an agreement with Jokey Group and Spanish organic dairy company Cantero de Letur to pioneer the use of recycled plastic packaging in the organic dairy industry in Spain for its cheese products.
Manufactured by Jokey, the packs will use Repsol’s ISCC Plus-certified Reciclex polypropylene. The technologies used by Repsol to manufacture this material reportedly make it possible to take advantage of non-recyclable plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
In early 2020, Repsol certified all its petrochemical complexes to produce under the ISCC Plus accreditation, which ensures the use and traceability of recycled materials. Jokey received this certification in August 2020 at four of its production sites, including in Spain.
Michael Schmidt, chief procurement officer at Jokey, says: "As we currently see the evolving market of new sustainable materials, the Repsol-Jokey-Cantero project is one of the first to pilot the purpose of demonstrating the long-term applicability of recycled plastics. Real, working business and material flow models will attract more partners and drive segments and the plastics industry toward a circular economy."
“This new alliance announced today allows us to continue advancing in our ambition to recycle the equivalent of 20 percent of our polyolefins production,” adds Fernando Arroyo, polypropylene director at Repsol.
“We are fully committed to the circular economy, having a circular economy strategy since 2016. That is why we aim to offer society materials that incorporate recycling, to make end consumers participants of a responsible and circular consumption without them perceiving changes in their quality.”
“By investing in this technology, we will meet the constant demand of our consumers for the creation of products and packaging with the lowest possible environmental impact," concludes Pablo Cuervo-Arango, CEO of Cantero de Letur.
With this alliance, the three companies hope to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and the circular economy, reduce the production and consumption of virgin materials, and respond to consumer demands for more environmentally friendly packaging, leading the transition in a sector with high hygiene safety requirements.
