Polymateria misuses RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols
08 Mar 2021
PRESS DECLARATION
In a reference to the report[1], published on February 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 would like to make 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 this material are described in the patent description of Polymateria[2]. Since degradable plastics are explicitly excluded[3] from the scope of the RecyClass protocols, RecyClass answered Polymateria on May 14, 2019 stating clearly that it cannot run such test as the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols are based on a harmonised methodology to test the recyclability of a specific technology in a defined, conventional plastics recycling stream[4].
Therefore, the report published by Impact Solutions on February 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[5].
[1] Impact Solutions' Recyclability Report
[3] As they have an impact on polymers degradation and therefore are not compatible with plastics recycling
[4] RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE Films, point 2. Scope of the Protocol page 3 & 4