Coexpan, a division of the Lantero Group focused on rigid packaging, has formed a partnership with Eslava to develop a process for decontaminating post-consumer polystyrene (rPS) and recycling it into food-grade packaging.

The initiative targets the recycling of materials used in products such as yoghurt pots.

350,000t of polystyrene were utilised in yoghurt packaging in 2024.

The collaboration aims to keep post-consumer waste within a food-grade loop, contributing to a circular economy in the packaging industry.

CEO Coexpan Sergio de Freitas stated: “This project is a clear example of how strategic collaboration and technological innovation can lead to real, scaleable solutions to the sector's sustainability challenges. At Coexpan, we are proud to lead this breakthrough, which not only closes the polystyrene cycle but also does so with guarantees of food safety and industrial efficiency.”

The two companies have created a decontamination technology that is currently in an advanced validation phase, which will convert used polystyrene packaging into recycled raw materials.

They are focusing on mechanical recycling, which they assert has a lower carbon footprint compared to other recycling methods.

The recycled polystyrene produced through this process is expected to comply with highest regulatory standards concerning quality and safety.

Eslava will provide all necessary quality and traceability certifications to ensure the integrity of the recycled materials.

Eslava's expertise in separation and purification, enhanced by AI, is anticipated to secure a consistent supply of recycled raw materials.

Eslava CEO David Eslava stated: “After many years of work and development together with the integrated management systems of Spain and France, we are proud to contribute to a solution that demonstrates that mechanical recycling can be safe, efficient and truly circular, and that positions Spain as a leader in sustainable innovation.”