Surventis Highlights Deinking and Delamination for Plastic Recycling

Written by Maílis Carrilho

•

Published Nov 16, 2026

6 min read

Updated Nov 15, 2026

Surventis Chemetall has highlighted how washing and wastewater treatment chemistry can improve mechanically recycled plastics, particularly by separating packaging layers and removing adhesives and printing inks.

Speaking at Plastics Recycling Show Asia in Shanghai, Bouwmeester outlined both the potential of specialized washing additives and the limitations that remain when processing complex packaging. His presentation emphasized that recycled plastic quality depends on several factors working together: feedstock composition, equipment, processing conditions, and washing chemistry.

For recyclers, the practical opportunity is to recover cleaner material that can meet more demanding customer specifications. For packaging producers, the discussion reinforces the importance of selecting structures, adhesives, and inks that are compatible with available recycling processes.

Specialized Additives Improve Layer Separation

According to the supplied account of the presentation, conventional caustic washing achieves around 40% delamination, while specialized additives can increase this to 85–90%, including adhesive removal.

Delamination separates the bonded layers within packaging. It can help expose and remove components that would otherwise remain attached to plastic flakes during reprocessing.

The reported percentages describe delamination performance. They should not be interpreted as the overall recycling yield or the proportion of incoming waste converted into saleable resin. Those outcomes also depend on sorting losses, contamination, separation efficiency, and subsequent processing.

Chemetall’s published recycling portfolio includes Gardoclean cleaning agents, Gardobond additives, and Gardo Pure water treatment products. The company describes applications across PET, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene, combining washing, separation, foam control, and wastewater management.

Why Multilayer Packaging Remains Difficult

Flexible packaging uses different layers to provide strength, sealability, and protection against moisture or oxygen. Those functions can become obstacles during recycling when the structure combines incompatible plastics or retains adhesives and inks.

However, multilayer packaging does not always contain several different polymer types. Packaging based predominantly on polyethylene or polypropylene can still contain adhesives and intermediate printing layers that affect recycled material quality.

Research published in Green Chemistry explains that even predominantly single-polymer laminates can produce dark, odorous recyclates when inks and adhesives remain in the material. This makes the removal of these components relevant beyond conventional multimaterial packaging.

Bouwmeester highlighted differences between Chinese and European packaging, noting that Chinese multilayer structures are often monomaterial. He argued that these can be easier to recycle mechanically than more complex European multimaterial laminates.

The practical distinction is the packaging structure itself. A predominantly single-polymer laminate may reduce compatibility problems during reprocessing, but inks, adhesives, and coatings can still require additional treatment.

Deinking Presents a Separate Challenge

While delamination separates layers, deinking removes printing inks. Successful layer separation can improve access to inks, but it does not guarantee their complete removal.

Bouwmeester identified inks that have migrated into the polymer as a particularly difficult problem. He referred to continuing research collaborations with Ghent University, Fraunhofer, and industry partners to address these challenges.

Printing enclosed between layers presents another obstacle because the washing solution must reach the printed surface before it can act effectively.

A technology assessment published by CEFLEX in June 2025 explains that intensified washing and deinking have limited effects on reverse-printed laminates while inks and adhesives remain trapped. Delamination can expose those components and improve the effectiveness of subsequent cleaning. The assessment also distinguishes printed films from plastics colored throughout their material, which do not benefit from deinking in the same way.

Matching Recycling Methods to the Material

Bouwmeester argued that mechanical recycling can offer a more cost-effective and flexible route for relatively simple laminates. Chemical recycling may be better suited to heavily contaminated materials or complex multilayer structures.

This makes accurate feedstock characterization essential. Recyclers need to understand the polymers, adhesives, inks, and contaminants entering their plants before selecting treatment conditions or investing in additional equipment.

Chemetall’s use of chemistry within mechanical recycling is an established approach. In June 2024, BASF described Chemetall technologies intended to remove inks and separate polyethylene and PET layers during mechanical recycling.

The presence of washing additives does not, by itself, mean the main plastic polymers are being converted into chemical feedstocks. Here, the objective is to clean and separate material for subsequent mechanical reprocessing.

Research Shows Progress and Practical Limits

The CIRCULAR FoodPack project illustrates why performance figures require context. Its industrial guidance reports more than 95% colorant removal at scale using well-defined laminate feedstock.

However, the project also found that water-based treatments could not delaminate and deink every common flexible packaging structure. Some effective conditions required caustic concentrations unsuitable for existing commercial equipment.

Researchers investigated removable primer layers, ways to prevent released colorants from staining plastic again, and measures to control film curling during treatment. These findings underline the importance of testing representative packaging rather than assuming that one successful trial applies across mixed waste streams.

Quality Gains Must Translate Into Commercial Value

Chemetall says its technologies can remain effective at 65°C and extend washing bath life by up to 30%. These are supplier-reported capabilities whose relevance depends on individual operating conditions.

For operators, evaluation should consider chemical dosage, water and energy consumption, wastewater treatment, material losses, and the quality of saleable output. Cleaner plastic has greater commercial value only when it meets a buyer’s requirements consistently.

Continuing research also points toward coordination across the packaging supply chain. The LoopCycling project, involving 21 companies and the Institute for Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University, is examining how washing conditions and packaging formulations can improve decontamination.

The implication for industry is practical: washing chemistry can improve material recovery, but packaging design and plant operation remain decisive. Achieving the purity needed for sensitive applications requires the entire process to work together.

Sources:

Written by:

Maílis Carrilho

Sustainability Research Analyst

Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.

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