ACES winner Enval gets backing for commercial-scale recycling plant

A consortium of multinational companies that use laminate materials incorporating aluminium to package food and drink products is to support the construction of a commercial scale facility based on recycling technology developed by Enval Ltd, winner of this year’s Science|Business Academic Enterprise (ACES) award in the Materials and Chemistry category.

Enval’s patented material recovery technology, based on research carried out at Cambridge University, provides a recycling route for flexible laminate packaging that has, to date, been unrecyclable. The technology separates the material into its constituent components, producing clean aluminium ready for introduction into the secondary aluminium supply chain and hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel or chemical feedstock.

After proving the pyrolytic process in a pilot plant in Luton, UK, Enval says the process is economically and environmentally viable and offers a better way of handling waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill or incinerated.

“Enval is delighted to announce the formation of the Enval Consortium,” said David

Boorman, Business Development Director at Enval. “By participating in this consortium, our partners are clearly demonstrating their commitment to tackling the environmental consequences arising from their own products’ end-of-life.”

Boorman added, “Their support and involvement are vital components of our business development strategy and pave the way for the rapid commercialisation of the Enval Technology.”

The Enval process will allow laminate packages incorporating aluminium, such as pouches for drinks and pet food, drink cartons and laminate tubes, to be completely recycled. The process is capable of handling material either as scrap from production and filling processes, or the waste left after products are consumed.

For the unnamed food and drink manufacturers that are part of the consortium, the ability to recycle this waste will enhance the green credentials of these types of packaging. At present the paper component of drinks cartons can be reclaimed, but there is no way of recycling the aluminium.

Enval suggested that users of laminate packaging share the cost of the first commercial recycling plant to showcase it to waste handlers. They won’t get an immediate return on investment, but could benefit in the future if the technology is taken further forward.

Enval, originally formed as a spin-out from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Cambridge University, is privately funded. In parallel to the development and commercialisation pyrolytic recycling processes, the company has developed a consultancy business specialising in life cycle analysis of packaging.