Knauf Industries expands its range of materials

As part of its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach, Knauf Industries is committed to offering alternative packaging solutions that contribute to the circular economy. In March 2020, Knauf Industries launched the first more circular material, NEOPS^®, a alveolar foam certified according to REDcert² by TÜV, alternative of curent petrosourced origin foam.

Once again, in 2022, Knauf Industries innovated and expanded its family of solutions by launching not 1 but 2 materials derived from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste and recyclable in existing sorting channels:

R’KAP^®, a single-material made from recycled plastics by Knauf Industries, for the manufacture of thermoformed or injected products

R’KAP^®, a single-material suitable for packaging food and processed products, made from post-consumer recycled materials. with the same performance and characteristics as polypropylene and 100% recyclable in existing PP channels. Formulated on a PP base, it completes the range of KAP’ materials by offering perfect sealing quality in a protective atmosphere or under skin. It can be microwaved and pasteurised, and is also available in Kapseal®, Kapclear^® and in Kaplight^®. In addition to its excellent sealing qualities, R’kap® is 100% recyclable through existing PP channels.

This REDcert²-certified material innovation contributes to the circular economy by reducing the need to use fossil feedstocks. The fossil feestocks needed for manufacturing are replaced by a substance derived from post-consumer plastic waste.

REDcert² certification is a Europe-wide sustainability certification system covering all sustainable raw materials (biomass, renewable energies, etc.).

CELOOPS^®, a foam made from raw materials derived from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste by Knauf Industries

Knauf Industries launch CELOOPS^®, a cellular foam made derived from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste that offers the same technical characteristics as EPS expanded polystyrene.

This material for the circular economy is certified by TÜV according to REDcert². REDcert² certification guarantees that the producers of alternative raw materials have indeed substituted the virgin fossil resource with the resource derived from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste, and Knauf Industries is also part of this REDcert² certification process for the manufacture and marketing of its CELOOPS® products.

To date, some Knauf Industries 16 sites are REDcert² certified in France and 4 in Spain.

CELOOPS^® is a material of choice for packaging solutions because it is suitable for food contact. As well as being made from raw materials derived from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste, CELOOPS^® is recyclable at collection points and in the Knauf Circular^® loop channel, which ensures the collection of EPS waste and guarantees its reuse in new products.

Knauf Industries is thus clarifying its choices in terms of eco-design and end-of-life management of its products. With its ID Lab research and innovation centre, Knauf Industries wants to develop more responsible materials to offer its partners packaging solutions and technical parts that contribute to the circular economy.