Nextek and Coveris collaborate to develop an innovative COtooCLEAN process, changing the conventional method of recycling plastic packaging materials.

According to partners, the technology aims to convert post-consumer polyolefin (PE and PP) packaging waste into high-quality food-grade recycled resins and films.

Nextek is a partnership with Coveris that is based on Nextek's recent recognition by the End of Plastics Alliance (EPAW), an independent global non-profit organization that aims to stop plastic waste entering the environment and create a circular system, where materials and products are used for a long time.

The award highlights Nextek's COtooCLEAN technology, a waterless cleaning and decontamination process that enables the production of food-grade recycled material from post-consumer plastic film.

Demonstration Facility

As part of their collaboration, Nextek and Coveris are developing a demonstration facility in the UK to scale up the industrial applications of the COtooCLEAN process. The two companies stated that the facility will conduct extensive trials to generate the data required for regulatory approval while showcasing the capabilities of the technology to the industry. The long-term goal is to promote this process globally, addressing one of the most challenging aspects of plastic recycling.

Edward Kosior, CEO and founder of Nextek, noted that COtooCLEAN “has the potential to transform plastic film recycling.”

"Since receiving the AEPW award, we have shifted from prototype development to food-grade compliance testing," he added. "Collaborating with Coveris is the next important step. Together, we will scale up the demonstration of this technology and work towards achieving a circular economy for plastic films."

The two companies stated that COtooCLEAN has addressed a key issue in recycling PE and PP films, which can be difficult to purify. By enabling food-grade recycling, this technology represents a significant leap forward in creating a sustainable future for soft packaging.

Kosior stated that his company's CotooCLEAN technology uses supercritical CO2 to rapidly extract contaminates from polyethylene films, with the process claiming to remove over 99% of oils and chemical contaminants.

Coveris CEO Christian Kolarik agrees with Kosior's comments.

"We are indeed leaders in this theme, and we are pleased to partner with Nextek on this project—breakthroughs in food-grade mechanical recycling," said Kolarik. "Sustainability is at the core of Coveris’ 'zero waste' strategy, and this partnership represents another milestone in ending plastic waste. Along with our ReRecovery recycling entity and our collaboration with Interzero, we are taking bold steps to transform waste back into valuable resources."

合作伙伴是指两边都有利益的 stronгов公司之间的关系。

Nextek is a sustainable technology consulting company focused on developing innovative recycling solutions. Coveris is a European flexible packaging company operating 30 factories across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, employing approximately 4,100 people.

The two companies pointed out that their collaboration highlights how innovation and partnerships lead to the development of plastic recycling solutions. They noted that this joint effort marks a significant step toward advancing the plastic circular economy and tackling one of the industry's most pressing recycling challenges.