Plastics recycler General Industries Deutschland GmbH (GID) aims to provide cross-sector impetus for the creation of a Europe-wide circular system for expanded polypropylene (EPP) via the newly established "EPP Loop" platform. The goal of this voluntary initiative is to return waste EPP into the materials cycle in a resource-efficient and climate-friendly way, according to the German recycling company.
"With EPP LOOP, we are creating an efficient network that is demonstrating now how the circular economy for technical plastics such as EPP can be successful," GID's CEO Matthias Henning commented at the platform's launch at the end of July. The take-back and recycling system involves actors along the entire value chain, from manufacturers and converters to end users, logistics companies and recyclers.
The initiative has reported results for 2024: more than 7,400 tonnes of EPP waste were recycled, of which 1,500 tonnes were directly reintroduced into the EPP loop. According to GID, the system achieved annual carbon dioxide savings of more than 22,000 tonnes. At present, the platform has more than 15 collection points in ten European countries.
EPP, a lightweight closed-cell bead foam, is mainly used in the automotive and packaging sectors, in consumer products and in building and construction.
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