RecyClass Clarifies Recyclability Claims Made by Polymateria

In reference to the report, “Impact Solutions’ Recyclability Report,” published on Feb. 18, 2021, by Impact Solutions, a laboratory commissioned by Polymateria to carry out a recyclability test of a polyethylene film with biodegradable additive technology called PLM-G, RecyClass has made the following declaration:

“As the laboratory testing was done according to the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE Films, RecyClass would like to clarify that it was contacted by Polymateria to perform laboratory analysis of the PLM-G film in question on May 13, 2019. The composition and ‘oxidation’ properties of the material are described in the patent description of Polymateria (European Patent EP354032). Since degradable plastics are explicitly excluded from the scope of the RecyClass protocols, as they have an impact on polymers’ degradation and, therefore, are not compatible with plastics recycling, RecyClass answered Polymateria on May 14, 2019, stating clearly that it cannot run such tests, as the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols are based on a harmonized methodology to test the recyclability of a specific technology in a defined, conventional plastics recycling stream (“RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PET Films,” point 2, Scope of the protocol, pages 3 and 4).

“Therefore, the report published by Impact Solutions on Feb. 18, 2021, must not have used RecyClass “Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE Films” to verify the recyclability of a degradable film.

Furthermore, it must be emphasized that Impact Solutions is not an officially accredited RecyClass laboratory.”