mPCR or marketing? Differences that matter – and regulations that require it

of Dr. Magdalena Laabs April 14, 2025

In a world where more and more companies declare eco-friendly action, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate authenticity from PR. Especially when it comes to plastics recycling. Because who wouldn’t want to buy a film that looks like virgin resin – but is made from recycling?

Except... that’s physically impossible. And every company that honestly uses PCR in the mPCR (mechanical post-consumer recycling) process knows that regranulate from post-consumer waste will never look like petrochemical virgin resin.

This is what real regranulate from mPCR looks like – PE, PP, PCR, polymers

Below is a photo of PE and PP regranulate that we received from film producers who apply mPCR in practice:

Photo PCR LDPE Regranulates: Dr Magdalena Laabs (Rolbatch Laabs Academy)

As you can see – this is not “snow-white granulate.” It is a mix of shades: grey, milky white, sometimes with a yellow tint. It is impossible to produce crystal-clear stretch film from such regranulate – unless someone adds optical brighteners or hides it in a multilayer structure.

We support those who do it honestly – mPCR and real plastics recycling

At Rolbatch Laabs Academy, we want to speak out clearly in support of companies that really use PCR in their processes – even if that means a milkier or slightly greyish shade of film, visible optical differences, or more difficult machine settings.

These are companies that do not pretend that “recycling changes nothing,” but instead educate customers, show reality, and take sustainable development seriously.

And – importantly – the European Union is heading in exactly that direction.

What do EU regulations say? – recycling, PCR, mPCR, plastics, packaging

🇪🇺 SUP Directive (Single Use Plastics Directive 2019/904)

Requires that by 2025, every PET bottle contains at least 25% recycled content,
And by 2030 – at least 30%,
This is the first formal step towards requiring PCR in consumer-facing plastic products.

🇪🇺 Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) – draft 2022/0095(COD)

Introduces mandatory minimum recycled content in many plastics products,
Including: packaging, films, and containers made from PE, PP, and PET,
Also introduces digital product passports, where producers must declare:
- the source of the raw material,
- the share of PCR,
- the processing method.

🇪🇺 PPWR – Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (draft 2022)

From 2030, plastic packaging must include a mandatory share of recycled content,
Exceptions for food-contact use will be possible – but only with full justification,
The aim is to reduce virgin plastic use and grow the market for PCR, including mPCR.

mPCR vs. cPCR – and why mPCR has real value in plastics and polymers

Many think: “mechanical recycling is the weaker option.” In reality:

mPCR is a real, operational technology – already running in hundreds of plants in Europe,
cPCR (chemical) is much more expensive, energy-consuming, and still niche (mainly PET and PA),
PE and PP in cPCR are still in the pilot phase, and the recovery of good quality material is technically difficult.

That’s why most companies that truly implement PCR into PE and PP films rely on mPCR – and that is absolutely fine. The condition: honest communication and transparency toward the client.

Let’s educate – not sugarcoat reality: PCR, polymers, recycling awareness

Instead of pretending that “film with regranulate looks exactly like virgin,” it’s better to show the client what is really happening:

Where the raw material comes from,
Why the film looks different,
Why this is a good choice – also for the environment.

🎓 Want to know more about mPCR, PCR and plastics recycling?

At Rolbatch Laabs Academy, we train companies on:

implementing regranulates into production,
communicating with customers in the age of “eco-declarations”,
recycling technologies and the real limitations of mPCR.

👉 www.rolbatch.eu – online training available 24/7 in German, English, Polish and many other languages.