Flexloop is the name of the revolutionary mechanical recycling technology that Lindner and Procter & Gamble unveiled to the public for the first time at K 2025. At the heart of the process is a solvent-based extraction process that reliably removes contaminants (NIAS), odors, adhesives, and printing inks from polymer chains. The purity achieved opens up completely new applications: in the future, recyclates from post-consumer collections can even be used for sensitive packaging, for example in the cosmetics or hygiene sector. The modular Flexloop system can be seamlessly integrated into existing Lindner washing and recycling plants, opening up new opportunities and new sales markets for recyclers.

“It has always been important to us to promote mechanical recycling,” explains Michael Lackner, Managing Director at the Lindner Group. “For us, Flexloop is a logical and necessary development in mechanical recycling and a complement to cold and hot washing.” With Flexloop, mechanical pre-cleaning is followed by a solvent-based extraction step. NIAS (non-intentionally added substances) such as pesticides, phthalates, dioxins, or organic residues are extracted and removed, as are odors, adhesives, and printing inks. “This mechanical recycling technology provides recyclers with a valuable tool, enabling them to produce recycled materials for high-quality applications using the mechanical recycling technology they are familiar with,” Lackner continues.

Lee Ellen Drechsler, Senior Vice President of Research & Development at P&G, adds: “We are seeing growing demand for high-quality recycled granules that are suitable for a wide range of flexible film applications. That’s why we are excited about the launch of Flexloop – an innovation developed by our researchers to upgrade a variety of plastics using a solvent-based mechanical extraction process. Licensing this plastic-to-plastic purification technology to Lindner is in line with our corporate commitment to making technologies available on an industrial scale that help address significant environmental challenges, including reducing plastic waste and implementing a circular economy for materials.”

“The problem of obtaining high-quality, clean recyclates is particularly evident in post-consumer waste and mixed plastics from household and commercial collections,” explains Yannick Stanau, Business Development Manager at Lindner Washtech. “During collection, plastics from different sources and uses mix together – and can absorb substances that would not normally be expected to be there – this is generally referred to as contamination. For example, food packaging can come into direct contact with packaging that was not originally intended for food during collection – NIAS can diffuse into the polymer and be transferred,” Yannick continues. Recyclates from post-consumer plastics are currently mostly used only in less demanding applications such as park benches or garbage bags. Chemical recycling is often used as a solution for post-consumer plastics, but the high investment and energy costs make this option only moderately attractive from an economic standpoint.

“With Flexloop, we have found a solution to this problem,” says Stanau happily. Flexloop can be seen as an extension of the mechanical recycling process. The additional solvent-based cleaning step enables the extraction of NIAS, odors, adhesives, and printing ink from polymers without attacking their structure. The result is reliable recycled material that is even suitable for sensitive applications in the cosmetics and hygiene sectors. Recycled materials obtained in this way not only meet legal requirements, but also the often much stricter specifications of many brand-name manufacturers.

Gian De Belder, Technical Director, R&D Packaging Sustainability P&G, is delighted with the launch and the new opportunities it opens up for recyclers worldwide: “It’s great to see this cleaning technology become a reality. Flexloop is particularly important for a variety of input streams, especially packaging and agricultural films. The technology brings us one step closer to making film packaging fully circular and closing the loop completely, for example by producing high-quality rPE film material that can be safely used in a new generation of packaging for sensitive applications.”

Thanks to its modular design, the Flexloop unit can be integrated into any existing Lindner washing and recycling plant. This allows recyclers to use their existing infrastructure and flexibly integrate Flexloop into existing processes. CAPEX and OPEX costs are low compared to chemical recycling. De Belder continues: “What makes this technology special is that it is specifically aimed at mechanical recyclers who want to improve the quality of their recyclates – simply by retrofitting their existing washing lines.”

With Flexloop, Lindner and Procter & Gamble are delivering a decisive innovation step in mechanical recycling – a technology that is cost-efficient and scalable. It not only meets the increasing demands of brand manufacturers, but also opens up access to a new product portfolio and new sales markets for recycling companies.

Enquiries:

Mag. Martina GRESCHONIG

Marketing Manager | Lindner-Recyclingtech GmbH

p. +43 4762 2742-441| m. +43676840733266 | martina.greschonig@lindner.com

[Source, PA Lindner Recyclingtech]