Orthex Corporation and Fortum have joined forces in the SULKI research project, which is part of SPIRIT (Sustainable Plastics Industry Transformation) programme supported by Business Finland and driven by Borealis with the aim to transform the plastics industry towards a more sustainable future. As a part of the SPIRIT programme, Orthex and Fortum are researching in collaboration with other partners whether recycled plastic could be used in products suitable for food contact. Orthex and Fortum have been collaborating on recycled plastics for several years and Orthex has used Fortum Circo®?

recycled plastic in several products. This project concentrates on researching whether Fortum Circo®? could be used in products appropriate for food contact, if it was made from food plastic packaging collected from consumers.

The carbon footprint of the Fortum Circo®?-PP grade used in the project is more than 70% lower than that of virgin polypropylene, and is therefore a sustainable choice as a raw material. Based on the tests performed on separately collected material at Fortum's Riihimaki plastic refinery, material fractions were found that passed all the same laboratory tests that Orthex uses regularly to ensure the safety and suitability of its products for food contact. The results of the product development and tests indicate that recycled plastic is, at least in principle, suitable for food contact.

However, starting production on a profitable industrial scale would require e.g., further development of sorting technology. challenges are also posed by the closed cycle required for product safety, i.e., ensuring that recycled plastic intended for food contact is made from plastic packaging originally used for packaging food. The research project's next focus areas are the development of sorting technology, improvement of traceability, and further review of the legal restrictions.

The project will last until the end of 2024.