What is Polypropylene (PP)?

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used in the packaging industry, from food and beverage packaging to industrial and consumer goods packaging.

PP is commonly used to make containers and lids for yogurt, butter and other dairy products, as well as flexible packaging such as snack bags, cookie wrappers and confectionery packaging.

The biggest challenge in recycling PP from post-consumer waste is contamination. PP is often found in composite packaging together with other materials, which complicates the sorting and recycling processes. Conventional technologies such as mechanical recycling, where PP is shredded into flakes and then reprocessed, often lead to a decrease in material quality with each recycling cycle.

This variation in quality can affect the performance of recycled PP in new products, making it less desirable for manufacturers who require high quality and consistent material standards. As a result, recycled PP may be limited to inferior applications or specific uses, reducing its market potential.