Nextek and Coveris take top recycling honour at UK Packaging Awards
Nextek and Coveris have won Packaging Recycling Project of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards 2026 for COtooCLEAN, a supercritical CO₂ purification process for post-consumer polyolefin films.
COtooCLEAN has been named Packaging Recycling Project of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards 2026. The award recognises the CO₂-based purification technology developed by Nextek and its progression to industrial-scale recycling of polyolefin films through a partnership with packaging company Coveris. The project addresses the removal of contaminants from post-consumer flexible packaging, with the aim of enabling the recovered plastic to be used again in food-contact applications, subject to regulatory approval.
The process uses supercritical CO₂ to remove contaminants embedded in post-consumer polyolefin films. Nextek and Coveris are demonstrating the technology at industrial scale for flexible plastic packaging applications. It is designed to produce high-quality recycled material suitable for food-contact packaging and to increase circularity for flexible plastics.
Demonstration plant generates approval data
A fully operational demonstration plant at Coveris' manufacturing site in Louth, Lincolnshire, is generating the operational data required to support regulatory approvals. The facility is also being used to demonstrate the scalability and commercial potential of the process for flexible packaging applications.
Supported by funding from the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the plant builds on Coveris' existing recycling capabilities. The partners regard it as a step towards increasing the availability of food-grade recycled content for flexible packaging. The project combines Nextek's purification technology with Coveris' recycling and packaging expertise.
COtooCLEAN plant
Partners comment on the award
Edward Kosior, founder and CEO of Nextek, said: "We are delighted that the COtooCLEAN demonstration plant has been named Packaging Recycling Project of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards. Flexible film is one of the hardest waste streams to recycle back into food-grade material, and this recognition from the industry shows how much it matters. It is a credit to our team and to our partners at Coveris and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, whose support has helped us take COtooCLEAN from the lab to an operational demonstration plant. With four further award nominations still to come, the momentum behind this technology is really building."
Christian Kolarik, CEO of Coveris, added: "We are proud to see COtooCLEAN recognised with this award. The project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to advancing circularity for flexible plastics. Working alongside Nextek, we have helped take this technology from development into a fully operational demonstration plant, bringing us closer to enabling food-grade recycling for post-consumer flexible packaging. This recognition reflects the progress made in transforming an ambitious concept into a practical solution for the industry."
The UK Packaging Awards, which recognise achievements across the packaging value chain, took place in London on Wednesday, 7 October.
PolyFlex Thermoform also shortlisted
Coveris was also shortlisted in the Best New Concept category at the UK Packaging Awards 2026 for PolyFlex Thermoform. The high-barrier thermoforming solution made its bakery market debut during the summer with Signature Flatbreads and Al'Fez.
PolyFlex Thermoform was developed as a recycle-ready, nylon-free polyolefin structure. According to Coveris, it supports the UK's transition towards kerbside collection of flexible plastic packaging under Simpler Recycling.