Open AccessScientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the process “INTERSEROH Step 2” used to recycle polypropylene crates for use as food contact material
Author(s) -
Flavourings
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3308
Subject(s) - food contact materials , process (computing) , cardboard , usable , polypropylene , waste management , process engineering , environmental science , engineering , materials science , computer science , food packaging , mechanical engineering , composite material , operating system , world wide web
This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids deals with the safety evaluation of the recycling process “INTERSEROH Step 2”, EU register number RECYC070. The process recycles pre‐washed damaged food contact re‐usable polypropylene crates (RPC) or parts of crates which have been used in a closed and controlled product loop into new recycled crates. Through this process, pre‐washed damaged RPC and parts of crates are ground into flakes. The flakes are compounded, extruded into pellets then used up to 100 % for the production of new recycled PP crates by injection moulding. The Panel considered that repeated grinding and injection moulding of PP crates which is part of the recycling process, under conditions described by the applicant, is not of safety concern. The Panel concluded that the input of the process “INTERSEROH Step 2” originates from a product loop which is in a closed and controlled chain designed to ensure that only materials and articles which have been intended for food contact are used and that any contamination can be ruled out when run under the conditions described by the applicant. The recycling process “INTERSEROH Step 2” is therefore able to produce recycled PP suitable for manufacturing PP crates intended to be used in contact with whole fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below.