MATCO PLASTICS  has developed a unique process to separate aluminum laminated polystyrene thermoforming waste.

Polystyrene in sheet form is typically used for thermoforming applications like single-portion yogurt or coffee cream cups. These formed sheets, with yogurt or coffee cream cup cavities, are filled with product and sealed with an aluminum lidding film. 

Finally, the cups are punched from the sheet leaving cutting waste that was used to connect the individual cups but now covered with an aluminum layer.

This combination of polymer and aluminum (so-called PolyAl) is classified as  Post-Industrial waste . Being contaminated with aluminum, it cannot be used again to produce yogurt or milk cream packaging.

MATCO PLASTICS  developed a unique process to recover the polymer and aluminum resulting in high-quality polystyrene and aluminum that can be used again to produce more sustainable products.  

Mechanically recycled polystyrene cannot be used again for the production of sheets for food packaging as this is not allowed by legislation. It can however be used for non-food applications making it a more sustainable alternative to virgin polystyrene.

The Post-Industrial recycled polystyrene (PIR) grades are sold under the EURASTIR  brand .

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