SCS seeks further EFSA approval for food-contact recycled polystyrene

The Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) consortium has filed a second application to the European Food Standards Agency seeking authorization to use mechanically recycled polystyrene in food contact applications, it said in a statement Feb. 7.

The SCS, an initiative set up in 2018 by leading styrenics manufacturers to advance the circular economy for styrenic polymers, has two submissions pending with EFSA, covering different super-cleaning technologies for post-consumer PS waste.

EFSA has set a risk assessment deadline of March 23 for SCS's first application.

Post-consumer plastic waste must undergo specific cleaning and reprocessing steps in order to be approved for use in food-contact applications.

Currently, only recycled polyethylene terephthalate is widely used in food and beverage containers.

If authorized, it will pave the way for R-PS to be used in applications such as yoghurt pots, hot and cold beverage containers, and food trays.

"The submission of this second application for a different super-cleaning technology underlines our confidence in the safety of R-PS as food contact material... This is fully in line with the broader SCS strategy to embrace multiple technologies to accelerate achieving the circular economy for styrenics and our contribution to the EU recycling targets," Jens Kathmann, Secretary-General of SCS, said.

Upcoming minimum recycled content legislations across Europe -- including one coming into force in the UK in April which will require all plastic packaging to contain a minimum of 30% recycled content -- have added significant demand to recycled plastics markets.

In particular, demand for recycled plastics that can be used in food-contact applications has risen substantially.

Free delivered Northwest European R-PET clear flake spot prices were assessed at Eur1,720/mt Feb. 4, the highest price ever assessed by S&P Global Platts since at least February 2008, and up Eur100/mt since the beginning of the year.

R-PET food-grade pellets, which are processed from clear flakes, have also risen Eur100/mt since the beginning of the year to Eur2,170/mt FD NWE Feb. 4.

A lack of food-contact recycled plastics availability for other polymer types has left food packaging producers with few options if they are to meet upcoming minimum recycled content legislations.

As a result, R-PET, which traditionally has been used to make beverage bottles and food trays, has seen demand rise for other end-use applications, such as yoghurt pots.