Repsol has signed a new technological and supply alliance with PEP Licensing Limited, an innovative company in the development of new enzymatic applications.
This alliance will allow the use of its enzymatic technology for the development of two ranges of biodegradable polyolefins of fossil origin, one will biodegrade in soil conditions and the other will be compostable, depending on the requirements of the final application.
This agreement strengthens the previous alliance, established in 2015, for the development of biodegradable polyethylene films for agriculture, extending it now to all possible polyolefin applications, both for polyethylene and polypropylene.
The project will allow the manufacture of biodegradable and compostable polyolefins that will biodegrade after their use, in specific applications and conditions, contributing to respect the environment.
This technology requires a long-term development plan for the different final applications. Tests will be carried out throughout this year in different locations to offer evidence-based results to accompany the certifications achieved.
These new materials will retain all the mechanical properties and functionalities which will allow them to be processed with standard machinery and will be employed in an identical way for conventional uses.
This solution will preserve the quality of the different recycling streams, which will facilitate the task to the end user and will not affect the current separation and recycling value chain of plastic waste. In this way, Repsol supports the development of sustainable products and the circular economy, with the aim of avoiding the generation of plastic waste in the landfill.
