The Alpla and Ntcp project team is implementing a pilot plant for solvent-based HDPE recycling in Heerenveen, the Netherlands.
The four-year innovation project, supported by funding from the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, aims to prepare the technology for large-scale industrial use by 2030. This timeline aligns with upcoming European Union requirements for packaging to include a minimum amount of recycled content.
Following successful laboratory tests conducted over several years, Alpla and NTCP have begun evaluating the full process at the Heerenveen facility. The trials will assess each step to ensure the recycled HDPE meets safety standards and to gather data for future expansion.
The goal is to secure approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the coming period. To support this effort, Alpla has established its own recycling company in the Netherlands.
"To date, there is no certified process in the EU for the production of food-grade HDPE recycled material. Our highly efficient technology for cleaning and processing post-consumer recycled material could be a real game changer," explains Michael Heyde, Head of Technology Recycling Division at Alpla.
Alpla already operates a global recycling division with 14 facilities worldwide, producing 400,000 tonnes of recycled PET and HDPE annually. Most of this material is converted into packaging within the company. The new technology will enable the creation of food packaging from recycled HDPE for everyday consumer products.
"This cooperation with Alpla fits perfectly to the core activities and mission of NTCP as an independent knowledge institute, to facilitate and accelerate technology developments with frontrunner parties. We believe that new technologies are needed to completely close the plastics value chain while reducing the amount of waste," emphasizes Martine Brandsma, NTCP's CEO.
The solvent-based method uses efficient cleaning techniques to process post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality recycled material suitable for food contact. By focusing on abundant and recyclable HDPE, the project addresses the need for sustainable packaging options that maintain product safety and performance.
This initiative contributes to broader efforts to enhance material recovery and support a more efficient plastics economy. The pilot plant's results will inform the transition to full production, making food-safe recycled HDPE more widely available for manufacturers in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Alpla's investment in this technology underscores its commitment to advancing recycling solutions that meet regulatory and market demands. The collaboration with NTCP ensures independent validation and accelerates progress toward a practical, cost-effective process.
As the project advances, it is expected to provide valuable insights into scaling operations while maintaining environmental benefits. The Dutch government's support highlights the importance of such innovations in promoting resource efficiency and reducing reliance on primary plastics.
