coexpan, rigid packaging business unit of Lantero Group and Eslava They launch a pioneering project food-grade post-consumer polystyrene (rPS) recycling.
Through the collaborative development of an innovative decontamination technology, currently in an advanced stage of validation, both companies are laying the foundation for the reincorporation of recycled polystyrene into the food circuit, meeting the most demanding safety and quality requirements.
Thanks to its decontamination system, a yogurt container can be transformed into another yogurt container, thus closing the product's life cycle. In 2024 alone, more than 350.000 tons of polystyrene were sold in yogurt containers, so the ability to recycle this post-consumer volume and return it to the food chain represents a unique opportunity to evolve toward a more circular, responsible, and resilient model.
The initiative is based on mechanical recycling, a system recognized by the European Union as the priority option for being the most sustainable and with the lowest carbon footprint.
"This project reflects the Lantero Group's commitment to responsible innovation and the creation of solutions that provide real value to our customers. We're not just responding to a regulatory requirement, but also leading a necessary transformation for the future of food packaging in Europe," he says. Daniel Carreño, CEO of the Lantero Group.
The project anticipates the requirements of the new PPWR Regulation, which requires the incorporation of recycled content into PS packaging intended for food contact. The new solution employs a technology that transforms post-consumer waste—that is, materials that have already served their purpose in the hands of the consumer—into recycled raw material suitable for food contact, meeting the highest regulatory standards. This approach ensures true circularity of the material, preventing tons of plastic from ending up in landfills or incinerators.
Eslava has all the necessary quality and traceability certifications. It also contributes its expertise in separation and purification using artificial intelligence, guaranteeing a stable supply of recycled raw materials thanks to its long-term agreements.
“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,” he declares. David Eslava, CEO of Eslava.
"This project is a clear example of how strategic collaboration and technological innovation can lead to real, scalable 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," he added. Sergio de Freitas, CEO of Coexpan.
