Zentek and Teufelberger expand their partnership

Plastic strapping are indispensable in transport and logistics – but what happens after they’ve been used? Zentek and Teufelberger have found a joint answer: In an innovative cooperation project, the two companies are joining forces to integrate used polypropylene (PP) and PET strapping bands into a closed-loop recycling system. Materials that were previously unused or even disruptive are now being transformed into high-quality packaging material. The programs clozed loop™ (Zentek) and better.collect (Teufelberger) share a common goal: turning old into new – efficiently, resource-consciously, and circularly.

At the heart of the collaboration is the return of used strapping bands. Through an established take-back system, these are collected by specialized waste management partners, compacted into bales, and delivered to Teufelberger. There, they are processed into high-quality regrind in a quality-assured process – a secondary raw material that is directly used in the production of new strapping bands. This creates a closed material cycle that conserves resources and reduces environmental impact.

Several hundred tons of material have already been recycled as part of the collaboration. From 1,000 kilograms of compressed strapping material, approximately 920 kilograms of secondary raw material can be recovered, which can be directly used to produce new strapping bands. This impressive recovery rate makes a significant contribution to resource conservation and significantly reduces the need for virgin plastics.

“Our shared goal is to make meaningful use of used materials and consistently increase the recycling content in production. Both steps – collection and processing – are equally crucial to success. This collaboration demonstrates how circular economy can work across industries,” the partners jointly state.

With their partnership, Zentek and Teufelberger are sending a strong signal for responsible action, resource-efficient processes, and circular material use along the entire value chain.

More details regarding Clozed Loop available on our partner website: 
Zentek GmbH & Co. KG
Ettore-Bugatti-Straße 6–14
51149 Köln
Telefon: +49 2203 8987-0
E-Mail: info@zentek.de
Web: www.zentek.de/en/clozed-loop-en/