Bakcycle Recycling, a subsidiary of Bakioğlu Holding, has begun operations in Izmir, Türkiye, recycling post-consumer low-density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging waste into high-quality granules. The facility, operational since late 2023, leverages TOMRA’s sensor-based sorting technologies to meet stringent recycling demands and produce granules for flexible packaging manufacturers.
Occupying a 20,000 m² area, the facility processes approximately 8,000 tons of LDPE waste annually, with plans to double capacity within two years. The recycled granules primarily serve non-food flexible packaging applications, helping manufacturers meet recycled content targets.
Addressing Recycling Challenges in Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging, often made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), poses significant recycling challenges due to its multilayer composition and lightweight nature. These materials often require specialized processing, which many recycling facilities lack.
“Despite the rapid growth of flexible packaging, its recovery rates lag behind other materials like PET and HDPE,” said Övünç Dirik, General Manager of Bakcycle Recycling. “We aimed to address this gap by establishing Türkiye’s first facility integrating optical sorting, hot washing, extrusion with laser filtering, and odor removal. TOMRA’s systems enable precise pre-sorting and material classification.”
Advanced Sorting Technology Ensures Purity
The facility utilizes TOMRA’s AUTOSORT™ SPEEDAIR and AUTOSORT™ systems to achieve over 98% purity in recycled materials. The process involves separating transparent LDPE, lightweight flexible packaging, and mixed-color LDPE using advanced airflow and optical sensors. The TOMRA Insight platform further enhances operations by providing real-time data analysis to monitor material quality and losses.
Oral Çimsöken, Sales Manager Emerging Markets at TOMRA Recycling Sorting, emphasized the project’s importance: “This initiative demonstrates how advanced technology can increase recycled content in flexible packaging production while maintaining high-quality standards.”
Dirik added, “Using recycled materials in LDPE film production demands exceptional precision. TOMRA’s technology enhances output quality, ensuring the recycled granules meet market expectations and reduce reliance on virgin materials.”
By integrating advanced recycling technologies, Bakcycle Recycling aims to contribute significantly to Türkiye’s circular economy and the global push for sustainable packaging solutions.