saperatec launches a new facility in Dessau focusing on secondary aluminium production from composite packaging waste

The Germany-based recycling solution provider saperatec has officially inaugurated its facility in Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt, a strategic location for the production of secondary plastic and aluminium from composite packaging waste. The opening ceremony was attended by Sven Schulze, the Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, along with numerous partners and guests.

About the facility

At this new facility, industrial-scale recycling of plastic/aluminium composite films from beverage cartons and other composite packaging waste will occur. Beverage cartons are primarily composed of fibre, plastic, and aluminium layers. The fibre component from beverage cartons collected in Germany has been recovered and used to produce cardboard packaging or hygiene paper for decades.

Dr Sebastian Kernbaum, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of saperatec, stated, "as a start-up company, saperatec has systematically developed the mechanical-physical recycling process for delaminating multilayered composite materials from laboratory scale to large-scale implementation over 10 years. Water-based, reusable washing fluids are used to optimise the sustainability of recycling. In addition to separating plastic from metal and paper layers, the separation of glass composites is also the subject of further development work."

saperatec's innovative process

saperatec's innovative process not only separates and cleans the plastic and aluminium into pure streams but also significantly reduces waste. This involves a novel washing process developed by saperatec. Utilising state-of-the-art recycling technology, the waste plastic is purified to the point where polyethylene granules can be produced, which is then used to manufacture new plastic films and other products. Packaging manufacturers can utilise this secondary raw material to produce new film packaging, thereby closing the material cycle and contributing to a more sustainable future.

“the development and industrialisation of the novel process would not have been possible without the consistent support of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the European Union, and our venture capital investors such as Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and eCAPITAL,” explained Thorsten Hornung, CEO of the company.

Dr Robert Reck, Mayor of Dessau-Roßlau, added, “As a traditionally innovative economic location and at the same time the headquarters of the Federal Environment Agency, the establishment of saperatec GmbH with its innovative, resource-saving recycling process perfectly complements the diverse industry portfolio and corporate landscape in Dessau-Roßlau. We are very pleased with the extensive investment in the location and the additional jobs created in our twin city, as well as with this successful combination of a new and environmentally friendly production and circular economy process here in Dessau-Roßlau.”