Total, Intraplás and Yoplait announced today that they have successfully run a pilot test aiming at using certified chemically recycled polystyrene in yogurt pots. This is the first step of a collaborative initiative aiming at testing the use of chemically recycled polystyrene in yogurt pots, supporting the development of sustainable PS recycling in France.
This test led by Total in partnership with Intraplás, expert in the extrusion of plastic sheets for the food industry, and Yoplait, key player of the yogurt sector, is an important achievement in establishing chemical recycling as a valid route for polystyrene recycling in France.
Total is leveraging its industrial expertise to process feedstock derived from post-consumer mixed plastic waste which is otherwise hard to recycle via existing recycling channels. By converting this secondary raw material in its steam cracker in Antwerp, covered by ISCC Plus certification, Total is able to produce certified chemically recycled polystyrene. The produced certified circular rPS has the benefits of exhibiting virgin-like performance, thus enabling its incorporation in high-end applications, including food-grade packaging. This was demonstrated by Intraplás, that successfully transformed Total’s certified circular rPS into dairy sheets, and finally, by Yoplait, in yogurt pots. This is an important achievement in establishing chemical recycling as a valid route for polystyrene recycling and close the loop in dairy applications.
