Jokey Group and REMONDIS Group: Working together for a closed loop in the food industry
Jokey and REMONDIS are working together to develop a closed loop system for the food industry. The aim of the joint research project is to develop practical processes and scale them up for industrial use. The goal is to produce packaging products made of recycled polypropylene (rPP) that have been approved by European and US authorities.
Since 2022, the Jokey Group has been pursuing its own research project under scientific supervision. The project is exploring the possibilities for obtaining and reusing recycled polypropylene (rPP) from rigid food-grade packaging. Jokey has a long tradition of using recycled materials and working with REMONDIS: Jokey produced its first recycled bucket in collaboration with REMONDIS (RE Plano) back in 1991.
REMONDIS has been committed to recycling PP and PE for more than 60 years. The company has continuously improved sorting and processing, so that recycled materials are now also used in the production of very sophisticated products. If the recyclates come from high-quality packaging applications, the aim is to offer them to packaging manufacturers for the same purposes. A proper collection is an important step in this process. REMONDIS is not only involved in take-back systems, but also has a comprehensive network of locations and a diverse fleet of vehicles.
The closed-loop recycling system for food packaging is now to be continuously expanded through the cooperation between Jokey and REMONDIS. REMONDIS coordinates the collection, return and sorting of food packaging from commercial end users. Recyclates are then obtained in a mechanical recycling process, which Jokey in turn uses to produce new packaging. “To be able to produce new food packaging from these recyclates in the future, we have to ensure a closed material cycle that consists exclusively of food packaging,” explains Jens Stadter, CEO of the Jokey Group. “In REMONDIS, we have found a cooperation partner that has outstanding expertise in the recycling industry, the highest quality standards, comprehensive infrastructure and complete service chains,” Stadter continues.
Ralf Mandelatz, managing director of REMONDIS Recycling, added: “We are delighted that Jokey is working with REMONDIS to further develop the mechanical recycling of contact-sensitive packaging. REMONDIS is contributing its expertise from other projects that aim to use technical progress in the interests of a circular economy to close material cycles with as few emissions as possible.”
The legal requirements for products that come into contact with food are very strict with regard to the health and safety of the end consumer. Jokey’s research project also provided a positive answer to the question of feasibility. These scientific results will be incorporated into the new joint pilot project between REMONDIS and Jokey. The challenge here is to produce recycled polyolefin plastics that meet the requirements of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The long-term goal of the research project, in addition to the professional scaling of the closed loop of food packaging, is to obtain approval for the recyclates from EFSA and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The pioneering collection system from REMONDIS and Jokey is of great interest to the food industry, as the circular system enables food packaging to be produced in a way that conserves even more resources and is more sustainable.
About REMONDIS
The REMONDIS Group unites several dozen specialist companies around the world that all pursue the goal of preserving raw materials from today for the world of tomorrow. With its comprehensive portfolio of services and more than 1,000 locations in over 30 countries, REMONDIS is one of the world’s leading service providers for recycling, service and water. The group mechanically processes more than 250,000 tonnes of plastic every year to produce recycled materials that are used by industrial businesses as pure, high quality recycled raw materials. In doing so, REMONDIS promotes and develops holistic recycling and the consistent closing of material cycles.
