At the heart of this year's presentation at the world’s leading plastics trade fair is a new process for producing food-grade polypropylene recyclate from post-consumer food packaging. In collaboration with KraussMaffei Extrusion, WIS Kunststoffe has developed a scalable process tested at the InnovationCenter in Laatzen, which has already received FDA approval for all applications involving food contact.
“The combination of process know-how, state-of-the-art equipment, and close collaboration was key to this success,” emphasizes Daniel Römhild, authorized officer and Head of Development at WIS Kunststoffe. “Together with KraussMaffei, we are proud to contribute to reducing plastic waste and promoting recycling solutions for the food industry.”
The twin-screw extruder used in the process enables particularly gentle processing and ensures high-quality recyclate output. For WIS Kunststoffe, the project is a strong demonstration of the potential of advanced recycling technology and the value of industrial partnerships. The developed process can be integrated into existing production workflows and opens up new opportunities for post-consumer recycling in the food sector.
“This process demonstrates that circular economy and food safety are not mutually exclusive,” says David Rapp, Team Leader Process Engineering Recycling at KraussMaffei Extrusion. “Our ZE BluePower twin-screw extruder offers exceptionally gentle yet efficient material processing – a critical factor for recyclate quality.”
Recyclates for a Wide Range of Industries
WIS Kunststoffe also highlights the versatility of today’s recyclates in other sectors. Its portfolio includes high-quality regranulates based on polypropylene and polyethylene that are heat-resistant, odor-optimized, and colorable. The materials meet the demands of various industries, including cosmetics, packaging, automotive, and toys. Special attention is given to solutions that comply with current EU regulations, such as PPWR 2030 and ELV.
Live Demonstration: Schneckenputzer® Cleaning Compound
Another highlight of the exhibition is the sustainable Schneckenputzer® cleaning compound, made from recyclate and demonstrated live twice daily on an ENGEL injection molding machine. The compound reliably removes residue from screws and barrels, reduces machine downtime, and allows clean transitions between colors and materials. With up to 50% lower consumption compared to competing products, it delivers tangible cost savings. The compound processes with minimal smoke and odor and stands out for its efficiency and low residue performance. Visitors to K can experience its low-emission effects live at Hall 7A, Booth B11.
Making Recycling Tangible: Walk of Waste
On the Walk of Waste, visitors can experience the recycling process directly at the WIS Kunststoffe booth. Transparent display boxes embedded in the floor illustrate the journey from used plastic products to finished recyclates. This walk-through installation showcases WIS Kunststoffe’s expertise in post-consumer recycling and brings the principles of circular economy to life.
Certified Sustainability and Product Safety
In addition to its materials and process technologies, WIS Kunststoffe places great emphasis on sustainability at its main production site in Breitungen. A second facility is currently under construction to support sustainable growth and enhance regional value creation. Investments in modern recycling technologies and renewable energies such as photovoltaics are part of the company’s strategy to make production increasingly eco-friendly, with the aim of continuously improving its CO₂ footprint across the entire value chain.
WIS Kunststoffe is ISCC PLUS certified, offering regranulates produced under sustainable conditions using the mass balance approach. The certification enables full traceability along the supply chain and supports the use of resource-saving raw materials.
The company also offers regranulates that, based on available compliance documentation, meet the requirements of the U.S. FDA for food contact applications. Notably, WIS is the first European recycler to receive FDA approval for recycled polypropylene (rPP) for “all types of food”. This provides critical validation for applications in sensitive areas such as food packaging and medical technology.
Complementing its offering, WIS introduces newly developed virgin polypropylene grades under the brand name DuCare, specifically designed for the medical sector. These materials are suitable for Class I and, depending on the application, Class II medical products.
