Enval - Recyling Laminated Packaging

• University spin-out used £70,000 EEDA/EU grant funding to extend technology into new markets
• Enval can now process previously unrecyclable laminated packaging and recover reusable aluminium
• Pilot-plant now being optimised to demonstrate technology to potential partners
• Worldwide opportunity to reduce major landfill contribution

Enval, a spin-out from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, was set up in 2005 to exploit a process developed by founders Dr. Carlos Ludlow-Palafox and Professor Howard Chase to recycle drinks cartons in order to extract reusable plastic and aluminium. Although this process had great potential, the team wanted to extend their research into the recycling of other materials - laminated packaging in particular. This flexible packaging has become increasingly popular.  It is used in food and drink pouches, toothpaste tubes and many more applications, as it is cheap and offers important environmental benefits in processing and transportation.

Significantly less energy is required to manufacture and transport laminate pouches when compared to glass or plastic bottles; a lorry load of full pouches, for example, can represent 95 per cent product and only 5 per cent packaging where the equivalent load of full glass bottles would represent 40 per cent product and 60 per cent packaging. Despite these benefits, however, the lack of a viable recycling process for packaging of this type is a major drawback, and as a result, laminated packaging is now ultimately destined for landfill. The aim for Enval is to 'close the loop' and turn laminated packaging into a truly sustainable product.

With initial investment provided by the Cambridge Enterprise Seed fund, Carlos approached EEDA in 2006 to secure the funds required to expand the research into laminate recycling. A Grant for Research and Development of over £70,000 was awarded, with match funding provided again by a syndicate of private investors, allowing the team to expand as planned. This led directly to the construction of Enval's first pilot-plant in 2008, and the successful completion of an additional funding round in 2009.

'EEDA funding was extremely valuable for Enval,' says Carlos, 'because it enabled us to proceed with our technical research which, in turn, showed investors that we had more to offer. The money therefore played a very important part at a crucial stage in our company's growth. We also found EEDA very supportive throughout the application process, and felt that they really understood us as a business and were keen for us to do well.'

Enval has recently opened a new facility in Luton, which will be used to carry on developing the laminate recycling process, proving that this can be done continuously, in volume, and in a sustainable and economically viable way. 'Our potential market is huge, and global,' says Carlos. 'There are many players in the packaging sector, and our process is relevant to each one, from the manufacturer of raw materials, to waste management firms working on behalf of councils and local communities. In addition, packaging users are keen to use products that they can promote as being recyclable - it gives them competitive advantage - and so our process is just as relevant to them.'

With the Luton site just open for operations, Enval is still at the early stages of major development, but with more funding in the pipeline, and the confidence of investors remaining high, the company is set to solve a key sustainability issue, and in doing so, establish a company with real potential for significant growth.