April 28, 2025 15:40

U.S.-based PureCycle Technologies is testing biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film extrusion using its PureFive resins, made with varying concentrations of "ultra-pure" recycled polypropylene (UPR) obtained through a solvent-based process that removes odors, pigments and contaminants from waste plastics.

The trials are taking place in Siegsdorf, Germany, at Brückner Maschinenbau, a leading manufacturer of film production lines. Compounds containing between 15% and 50% of PureFive resins sourced from PureCycle’s commercial plant in Ironton, Ohio, are being tested.

According to the company, the film was successfully extruded at Brückner’s German facility and performed similarly to virgin polypropylene (PP) on multiple tests.
Initial stretching results are seen as promising, with additional testing scheduled later this month.

“Flexible packaging is one of the largest segments for polypropylene, and there is not a traditionally recycled material that can consistently meet the high purity demands required to make film,” said Dustin Olson, CEO of PureCycle. “The early results are encouraging from the trials with Brückner, and it gives me confidence we can meet the stringent processing requirements.”
“Brückner is known as a trusted BOPP equipment manufacturer and resource for BOPP film producers, so it was critical for us to have these trials handled by their experts in Germany. We look forward to additional trials later this month.”

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