Colruyt's Recycled Polystyrene Meat Trays
- Indaver's Plastics2Chemicals facility in Antwerp processes 26,000 tonnes of polystyrene annually.
- Colruyt uses 66 tonnes of recycled polystyrene in meat trays, with 10% recycled content.
- The facility, operational since summer 2025, received a 75 million euro investment.
- By 2026, Plastics2Chemicals will also recycle packaging film from PMD bags.
Introduction
Colruyt has introduced meat trays made from recycled polystyrene, sourced from PMD bags, processed at Indaver's Plastics2Chemicals facility in Antwerp. This initiative reduces the need for new raw materials and minimizes environmental impact.
Recycling Process
Foam trays, made from extruded polystyrene (XPS), are now recyclable for food packaging due to Indaver's advanced chemical recycling technology. This process converts polystyrene packaging into recycled styrene, which is safe for food contact.
Facility and Capacity
Indaver's facility, operational since summer 2025, has a capacity of 26,000 tonnes. It processes polystyrene and extruded polystyrene from PMD bags, converting waste into high-purity base chemicals through thermal depolymerisation and distillation.
Future Plans
By 2026, the facility will also recycle packaging film from PMD bags, such as snack and outer packaging. This expansion is part of a 75 million euro investment in the new facility.
Regulatory Compliance
Europe mandates at least 10% recycled material in packaging by 2030, with specific targets for different plastic types. Colruyt and Plastics2Chemicals are addressing this by providing virgin-quality packaging materials from post-consumer waste.
Local Impact
Domestic recycling reduces dependency on imported materials and lowers the ecological footprint of packaging. It also supports sustainable employment within the country, demonstrating the effectiveness of systems thinking in waste management.
Source: Indaver