Jokey and Zentek continue their successful clozed loop™ partnership and are expanding it in a targeted manner

Wipperfürth/Cologne, 12 May 2026 – The Jokey Group and the Zentek Group have reaffirmed their successful partnership in the field of closed-loop plastic recycling for non-food packaging. For four years now, both partners have been working within the framework of the clozed loop™ system to convert used polypropylene (PP) packaging buckets back into high-quality recyclates – with measurable environmental benefits and growing participation across the entire value chain.

The partnership is a key component of Jokey’s “360° Responsibility” sustainability approach and demonstrates how the circular economy works in practice: technically reliable, economically viable and with clear responsibility for the product, the environment and the user.

From used packaging buckets to high-quality recycled material

Technically speaking, the closed-loop system is now well established: through its clozed loop™ system, Zentek organises the collection, sorting, processing and material recycling of used plastic packaging. Jokey then specifically reuses the high-quality PP recycled material obtained from this process in new packaging solutions.

The quality of the recyclates is crucial here – and it stands or falls on the quality of the used packaging returned.

“If packaging buckets are returned completely empty, the cycle works perfectly,” according to the shared experience of both partners. Residual contents, on the other hand, make recycling considerably more difficult and expensive.

Raising awareness right down to the last mile: taking responsibility together

Against this backdrop, Jokey and Zentek are deliberately looking beyond the process chain itself. Since the project began, both partners have been targeting not only direct customers but, increasingly, commercial end-users, craft businesses and processors along the ‘last mile’.

Through active training, information materials and direct dialogue, they explain

• why clean, emptied packaging is crucial,
• how simple return processes can be designed and
• what concrete contribution users themselves make to the circular economy.

This holistic approach distinguishes the system from traditional take-back solutions and fosters long-term acceptance.

Outlook: Systematic expansion and further development

In light of regulatory requirements and rising demand for recycled materials, both partners agree that the system should be further expanded – both in terms of volume and the stages of the value chain involved.

The aim is to gradually expand the clozed loop™ for non-food packaging, integrate further user groups and further scale up the use of high-quality recycled materials.

Voices from the project

“Our collaboration with Zentek clearly demonstrates that closed-loop systems for plastic packaging can already function reliably today – provided that all stakeholders take responsibility. High-quality recycled materials from our own closed-loop system are a key lever for us within our 360° responsibility.”
– Michael Schmitz, Sustainability Officer der Jokey Group.

“With clozed loop™, we bring our claim ‘With us, waste becomes valuable’ to life every day. Together with strong partners such as Jockey, we close material cycles, conserve resources and demonstrate how the circular economy can work in practice – for the environment and for businesses.”
– Olaf Pusch, Geschäftsführer der Zentek Gruppe.

About the partnership

The partnership was first announced publicly in 2022. Since then, the clozed loop™ system has been continuously refined. Detailed information on how the system works in practice can be found at: https://www.zentek.de/clozed-loop/