Germany-based, APK is a plastic recycling company which produces high-quality low-density polyethylene (LPDE) granulates with properties similar to virgin plastics from complex (e.g. mixed plastic & multi-layer packaging) waste streams. The startup developed a proprietary “Newcycling” process, which works as follows: i) post-consumer & industrial plastics are delivered to its plant, ii) they’re shredded, iii) washed, with density separation of plastic flakes, iv) the flakes are immersed into a solvent bath (core technology) where plastic is selectively dissolved, v) from which a multi-stage process ensues, to separate the liquid & solid components, purify the polymer & remove the solvent, vi) the recovered solvent gets re-used. This process has several advantages vs a) chemical recycling: with APKs tech, the plastic is “retained” & does not have to be repolymerized (avoiding energy & cost-intensive processes); b) mechanical recycling: which usually produces granulate quality that is suitable only for downcycling, APK granulates are high quality/ suitable for upcycling. APK’s “Mersalem” & “Mersamid” granulates are suitable for – injection molding, flexible packaging, labels/ stickers as well as films/ laminates & it’s “Mersalen” granulate is suitable for both extrusion & injection molding applications – pallets, gras paves, construction foil, pipes. The company was founded in 2008 by Wolfgang Lindner, Björn Lindner, Ingo Lindner & is now led by Susanne Kueppers (CFO & interim CEO). The firm employs almost 220 people, around 200 of which work at the Merseburg plant. Since June 2022, APK also operates a technical center – under the leadership of David Blum (MD) – at its Frankfurt Hoechst site, through its subsidiary APK Newcycling Competence Center Gmbh (APK NCC). APK will use the recent funds to build two new factories. <Source: packagingeurope.com, siliconcanals.com>
