During Edvanced Recycling Days 2026, held on 29 and 30 June at Erema's headquarters in Ansfelden, Austria, representatives of various links in the plastics value chain focused on one of the market's key issues, how to ensure stable and high quality of recyclates derived from post-consumer waste on an industrial scale. The two-day programme included substantive discussions, presentations of practical solutions and demonstrations of technologies operating under conditions close to real production. Particular attention was paid to the requirements placed on recyclates used in the polyolefin segment, including applications for food and cosmetics packaging, as well as issues related to production cost efficiency, productivity gains and opening up new markets through improved material quality. Real operational challenges and the need for direct cooperation between market participants were also at the centre of the discussions.
Already during the opening of the event, Gerold Breuer of Erema Group indicated that the meeting would be devoted to practical solutions and measurable results. The speeches on the first day showed that the development of the circular economy does not happen by itself, but requires clear decisions, investment and willingness to act. Ton Emans of Plastics Recyclers Europe pointed out that plastics recycling needs not only declarations, but also real demand, fair competition and a clear strategic direction. Manfred Hackl of Erema Group, in turn, emphasised that increasing the share of recyclates is not only about volume. Consistent quality, clearly specified material properties and stable availability of secondary raw material are of key importance. He also pointed out that reducing the use of virgin materials lowers dependence on primary resources. Heinz-Henning Seute of LH-Plastics assessed that making the right decision is not enough on its own, because companies must also have the courage to implement it. As he noted, recycling in Europe will not progress through regulation alone, but also requires commitment and investment.
Sorting as the starting point for recyclate quality
An important part of the programme was a visit to the Triplast facility in Ennshafen. Participants were able to follow post-consumer waste streams through one of Europe's most modern sorting plants and at the same time the largest facility of this type in Austria, from incoming material to separation into individual fractions. The visit showed how strongly sorting quality affects all subsequent stages of the recycling chain. After returning to Ansfelden, the first day concluded with an evening gathering that allowed participants to continue discussions and further exchange experience.
From process complexity to consistent results
The second day of the event focused on what is needed in practice for recycling to work effectively. It was emphasised that solving individual problems is no longer enough. Clemens Kitzberger of Erema Group presented technologies supporting the closing of the material loop. He noted that post-consumer recyclates must meet clearly defined and increasingly demanding quality standards. In this context, the PPWR was presented not only as a regulatory framework, but also as a driver for improving quality and opening new fields of application.
The presentations also highlighted the importance of communication, both external, needed to explain the value of recyclates to the market, and internal, necessary for close coordination across the entire value chain. In this area, the partnership between Erema and Lindner Washtech was indicated as combining technologically advanced solutions with a cost-efficiency-oriented approach in order to achieve consistent results at scale. Clemens Kitzberger stated: "As material requirements increase, quality expectations for post-consumer recyclates also rise, making stable and reliable processes more important than ever before."
Implementation examples from different links in the value chain
In the section devoted to practical applications, examples were presented showing how quality requirements are being implemented in real production conditions. The range of presentations covered both film recycling and food-grade applications. Monika Dedackova of the Slovak family-owned recycler Re-Plast discussed how the company reliably produces LDPE and LLDPE regranulates for demanding film applications using the Intarema Tveplus Duafil Compact system. Erema's Karl Blaimschein presented the technological basis of this solution, drawing attention to its broad processing window.
The same technology was also highlighted in the context of Saica's operations. As Luis Pellejer emphasised, it enables the company to incorporate high shares of post-consumer recyclates into new film products while keeping costs under control. Marcel Willberg of Lindner Washtech focused on the highest level of requirements in post-consumer recycling and showed how precisely integrated washing and extrusion technologies from Lindner Washtech and Erema make it possible to achieve the quality required for HDPE recycling for food-grade applications.
At the same time, Gian De Belder of Procter & Gamble presented the Flexloop initiative, based on a solvent-based extraction process jointly developed by Lindner and Procter & Gamble. The technology overview was complemented by presentations of the new Volex technology, discussed by Sophie Pachner of Erema, and the BluPort digital solution, presented by Christoph Krump of Erema as a tool for optimising plant operating efficiency.
A common denominator of all sessions was the need for cooperation between participants across the entire value chain. From sorting and washing, through extrusion, filtration and compounding, to brand-owner requirements and regulatory frameworks, it was emphasised that the circular economy can only function effectively when all parties are coordinated and actively collaborate.
Live equipment demonstrations and technology overview
The discussions were accompanied by technology demonstrations carried out at the Ansfelden site. Participants could observe various solutions operating under real conditions and visit information areas devoted to specific applications and systems. The programme featured supermarket film recycling using the Intarema Tveplus Duafil Compact system, HDPE regrind recycling with Volex high-performance degassing, PP regrind recycling and compounding using Corema technology, as well as processing highly contaminated input material into feedstock for chemical recycling using Agglorema. The programme was complemented by an exhibition of products made from recyclates and a presentation of Powerfil filtration technologies.
Signal of market maturity
The message coming from Edvanced Recycling Days was clear, the transition is already underway. In the participants' view, the industry has made significant progress, has the required technologies at its disposal, and the willingness to take further action is growing. At the same time, it was emphasised that the current stage requires translating this momentum into concrete decisions and investments. The further pace of change is to be determined by those entities that take responsibility for market development and continue cooperation as well as implementation of further solutions.
