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Method
Thermal Plasma
Thermopressing
20%
-
100%
-
Composite
LDPE/Al
77%
Total
86.25%
84.50%
The data for paper were obtained from Neves (1999); for aluminium from Neves (n.d.); for polyethylene from Quintiere
(2013) and for the composite in Agenda Sustentvel (n.d.).
The materials recovered in both processes have several industrial uses. The fibers recovered from carton can be used to
produce tissue paper, egg-carton, and line for corrugated cardboard (Zuben, 1996). In addition, the aluminium recovered has a
purity of 98,5% (Neves, n.d.) and can be used for different purposes such as automotive and light truck applications, cans,
bottles, transmission houses and pistons (The Aluminum Association, 2008).
Furthermore, the polyethylene is recovered as paraffin, which has also different applications such as cosmetics and lubricant
industries (Neves, n.d.). Finally, the composite of LDPE/Al can be used to produce the aforementioned roof tiles (Cerqueira,
2003).
Performing a simplified Material Flow Analysis (MFA), we have, for each method:
Input = Output , once there is neither generation of matter nor backlog. In this case, we will use a calculation basis of
1000 kg of packages
Plasma
1000 kg of Tetra Pak packages = 652.5 kg of carton fiber + 97.5 kg of carton residue + 200 kg of paraffin + 10 kg of
aluminium + 40 kg of aluminium residue (might be recovered as aluminium oxide)
Thermopressing
1000 kg of Tetra Pak packages = 652.5 kg of carton fiber + 97.5 kg of carton residue + 192.5 kg of LDPE/Al composite
+ 57.5 kg of non-usable LDPE/Al residue
Even though aluminium recovery rate in the thermal plasma is relatively low, 20%, the residual aluminium can be converted
to aluminium oxide (Al2O3) (Tetra Pak, n.d. (b)) , which can be used in various processes such as blasting and coating due to its
desirable properties like very high compressive strength, high hardness, high corrosion and wear resistance amongst others
(Ceramtec, n.d.). Although some material is lost due to technical restrictions in the processes, it can be incinerated so the energy
is recovered. According to Persson (2011) incineration is also a way of recycling. Also, it is important to emphasize the
downgrading of the materials, since polyethylene and aluminium are more valuable than aluminium oxide, paraffin, and the
composite LDPE/Al.
When it comes to analyze the market value of 1 tonne of recycled packages, the obtained results are shown in Table 2, with
data obtained respectively from CiFlorestas (2014), Indexmundi (2014), Alibaba (2014), and Mercado Livre (2014).
Table 2: Recovered value in US$ from 1 tonne of recycled Tetra Pak packages. Data from February of 2014.
Recovered
Material
Carton fiber
Aluminium
Paraffin
LDPE/Al
Total
It is important to notice that the plasma method has a higher energy use. This analysis, however, is not part of the scope of
this report but theme for further work.
Tetra Pak claims its aseptic beverage packages are 100% recyclable (Tetra Pak, n.d.(c)). We do not agree with this
affirmation. Although the two processes have recovery rates above 80%, both of them present losses. Carton, polyethylene and
aluminium are recyclable materials, but recycling methods have restrictions and do not recover 100% of them.
In conclusion, thermal plasma and thermopressing are comparable when it comes to material recovery, with plasma having a
slightly higher recovery rate and higher final value of by-products. However, when we take into consideration the amount of
energy needed to create an ionized atmosphere, as needed in this process, it may be costly economically as well as
environmentally. With satisfactory methods in hand, Tetra Pak needs now to make efforts to increase the amount of packages
recycled worldwide in order to close the material loop and to minimize its impact on the environment. As further work, it is also
recommended the research of methods that aim to decrease the amount of losses among the process.
References
Agenda Sustentvel. n.d. Programa de Reciclagem Tetra Pak. [report] Agenda Sustentvel.
Alibaba. 2014. Top Hot Sale Paraffin Candle Wax 58-60 - Buy Paraffin Candle Wax,Refined Paraffin Wax,Se-mi Paraffin Wax
Product on Alibaba.com. [online]
Available at: http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/top-hot-sale-paraffin-candle-wax_1548548218.html?s=p
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
CeramTec, n.d. Oxide Ceramics Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3). [online]
Available at: http://www.ceramtec.com/ceramic-materials/aluminum-oxide/.
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
Cerqueira, M. 2003. Placas e Telhas Produzidas a Partir de Polietileno/Alumnio Presentes nas Embalagens Tetra Pak. Coletnea
de Artigos Tcnicos. [report] Tetra Pak.
CiFlorestas. 2014. CIFlorestas>>Cotaes e Estatsticas>>Preo de Produtos - Celulose - Fibra Longa (Estados Unidos).
[online]
Available at: http://www.ciflorestas.com.br/dado.php?id=52
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
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Available at:
http://www.indexmundi.com/pt/pre%E7os-de-mercado/?mercadoria=alum%C3%ADnio&meses=120
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
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[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
Neves, F.L., n.d. New Developments for Recycling Aseptic Cartons. [report] Tetra Pak.
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Persson, P. (2011). Cleaner Production - Strategies & Technology for Environmental Protection. 1st ed. Stockholm: KTH Industrial Ecology.
Quintiere, M. 2013. As Embalagens Tetra Pak. [online]
Available at: http://blogdoquintiere.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/as-embalagens-tetra-pak/
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
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[Accessed: 25 Feb 2014]
Tetra Pak, n.d. (b). Recycling of used beverage cartons in Europe.
Available at: http://www.tetrapak.com/se/Documents/Recycling_booklet-Corrected%20version%20Sept%202005.pdf
[Accessed 27 Feb 2014]
Tetra Pak, n.d. (c). Recycling. [online]
Available at: http://www.tetrapak.com/my/environment/recycling.
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
Tetra Pak, 2013. Tetra Pak in figures. [online] (Updated January 2013)
Available at: http://www.tetrapak.com/about-tetra-pak/the-company/facts-and-figures.
[Accessed: 28 Jan 2014]
The Aluminum Association. 2008. Aluminum | Overview. [online]
Available at:
http://www.aluminum.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=The_Industry
[Accessed: 26 Feb 2014]
Zuben, F.V., 1996. Reciclagem de Embalagens LONGA VIDA - TETRA PAK [report] Tetra Pak.