Background / 20 Years of Plastic Recycling
20 years of plastic recycling by Papier-Mettler
Papier-Mettler opened its first recycling plant in 1992. 20 years later, at the end of
2011, the second recycling plant at Morbach commenced operation. In February
2012, Papier-Mettler celebrated its official opening. With a total of three recycling
plants in Germany and France, Papier-Mettler has the largest recycling production
capacity in Europe.
History & Milestones
1957
Establishment of the company as a wholesaler for paper
1961
Manufacture of paper bags and wrapping paper
1971
Manufacture of carrier bags and plastic bags
1976
Start of own film manufacture
1988
First fully automated high-rack warehouse
1992
Construction of plastic recycling plant
1994
European focus and first international sales office and distribution
centre
1998
Construction of a new paper processing facility and a second high-rack
warehouse
2001
First production facility abroad
2004
Construction of a new state-of-the-art plastic processing facility (Plant I)
2006
Start of MAP tray manufacture
2009
Extension
Expansionof
ofmanufacturing
the productionwith
in (factory
plant III
2010
Opening
Opening of
of an
an additional
additional recycling
recycling plant
plant in
in France
France
2011
Opening of a second plastic recycling plant at Morbach
2012
Commence operation of flexible packaging facility
Papier-Mettler is Europe´s market leader for flexible packaging made from paper and plastic. For
more than 50 years the family owned business stands for innovation, continuity and trust. In the
field of green packaging solutions Papier-Mettler is seen as a pioneer in the industry.
www.papier-mettler.com
BACKGROUND / ecoLoop
ecoLoop
ecoLoop bags are made out of recycled packaging film. The carrier bags are made
in a closed loop cycle. Waste film is processed into recycled raw material which is
subsequently used for the production of new carrier bags.
Accreditation of eco-label „Der Blaue Engel“
The ecoLoop cycle complies with the highest standards. The bags are made from at
least 80% Post Consumer Recycling Material (PCR) and have been awarded the ecolabel “Der Blaue Engel”. Closed water circulation, catalytic air purification and
heat recovery systems during the production process all conserve energy reducing
our environment impact even further. Compared with conventional bags 60% of CO2
can be saved.
Research results: ecoLoop has the best Life Cycle Assessment
The results of an independent life cycle assessment by the Swiss interdisciplinary
research and services institution for material sciences and technology development
(EMPA) show that, compared with carrier bags made from paper, cotton and LDPE,
ecoLoop carrier bags have the best life cycle assessment. During a study
commissioned by Papier-Mettler, various carrier bags were examined in terms of
their effect on health, the environment and the use of natural resources.
The results: ecoLoop compared with..
...Paper: paper carrier bags would have to be used at least 7 times more to
achieve the same eco-balance value as an ecoLoop carrier bag.
...Cotton: cotton carrier bags would have to be used at least 82 times more to
achieve the same eco-balance value as an ecoLoop carrier bag.
...Virgin granulate: carrier bags made of conventional LDPE virgin granulate would
have to be used at least 4 times more to achieve the same eco-balance value as an
ecoLoop carrier bag.
...Biodegradable plastic: Carrier bags made from biodegradable plastic must be
used at least 11 times more to achieve the same eco-balance value.
...Sugar Cane: I’m Green carrier bags made from biodegradable plastic must be
used at least 3 times more to achieve the same eco-balance value. If one looks
solely at the impact of all types of carrier bags on the greenhouse effect, I’m
Green is the best solution.
Papier-Mettler is Europe´s market leader for flexible packaging made from paper and plastic. For
more than 50 years the family owned business stands for innovation, continuity and trust. In the
field of green packaging solutions Papier-Mettler is seen as a pioneer in the industry.
www.papier-mettler.com
ecoLoop – the 5 steps of recycling
1. Collection
Plastic waste and used carrier bags are collected at a central location and
transported to one of Papier-Mettler’s recycling plants.
2. Processing
The foil is shredded and washed. After a subsequent drying process the material is
melted down and a filter removes any impurities.
3. Granulation
The melted material is granulated, cooled in cold water and finally dried.
4. Quality Assurance
After stringent quality control inspection, the high-quality materials are approved
and released for further processing.
5. Production
The granulate is then processed into new recycling film which is subsequently made
into carrier bags.
You can find more information on ecoLoop, the recycling process by
Papier-Mettler, in the Info Guide "Green Alternatives”.
Papier-Mettler is Europe´s market leader for flexible packaging made from paper and plastic. For
more than 50 years the family owned business stands for innovation, continuity and trust. In the
field of green packaging solutions Papier-Mettler is seen as a pioneer in the industry.
www.papier-mettler.com