Odor optimization for sustainable plastics

Sustainability and the circular economy are increasingly shaping the plastics industry. The use of high-quality recycled materials is becoming more and more important—but unpleasant odors from post-consumer or post-industrial waste make reuse difficult.

RESCOFIL^®, developed by HPF The Mineral Engineers, is an innovative high-performance mineral filler that addresses precisely this issue: it significantly reduces unpleasant odors in recycled materials, thereby improving their acceptance and processing quality—without compromising their mechanical properties.

Odor problems in plastic recyclates

Recycled plastics produce odors due to organic residues, additives, or thermal stress during the recycling process. These not only impair the quality of the material, but also lead to complaints—especially in applications with high sensory requirements, such as automotive interiors, packaging, or consumer goods.

With increasing legal requirements (e.g., EU recycling quota, packaging law) and growing pressure for sustainability, odor control is becoming a decisive quality criterion and success factor.

Advantages of RESCOFIL^®

RESCOFIL^® is an effective, mineral-based odor absorber that can be easily processed in common plastic systems.

Your advantages at a glance:

Significant odor reduction below the VDA 270 threshold value (≤ 3)
Improved material quality without loss of mechanical properties
Compatible with existing recycling and compounding processes
Easy dosing (e.g., 5% by weight) in twin-screw extruders
Proven effectiveness through olfactometric testing

chemical properties

RESCOFIL^® is based on specially modified mineral components with a high surface area and defined pore volume. This structure enables the targeted adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for unpleasant odors. Thanks to its chemical stability, the additive remains temperature- and process-stable during processing and use.

Use of RESCOFIL^®

RESCOFIL^® can be used in a wide range of plastic recyclates and is particularly suitable for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Thanks to its mineral structure and high process stability, RESCOFIL^® can be used in both post-consumer and post-industrial recyclates.

The additive is typically incorporated during the compounding process and can be easily integrated into existing production processes. Thanks to its good dispersibility, RESCOFIL^® distributes evenly throughout the material and enables the production of odor-optimized regranulates that can be used in demanding end applications.

Typical applications:

Automotive industry: interior parts, housings, covers
Packaging: Plastic packaging containing recycled material
Consumer goods: Everyday products containing recycled materials

Production

RESCOFIL^® is manufactured under controlled conditions with consistent quality at HPF The Mineral Engineers' European production site in Frechen, Germany.

Take advantage of the technical advice provided by our application specialists.

A plus for resource conservation and environmental balance

With RESCOFIL^®, manufacturers make a tangible contribution to the circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable material use. Effective odor optimization means that even heavily contaminated recyclates can be returned to high-quality applications instead of ending up in low-value recycling channels or being used for energy recovery. This increases the proportion of truly recyclable plastics and enhances the economic attractiveness of recycled materials.

In addition, RESCOFIL^® helps companies comply more easily with legal requirements, such as the provisions of the German Packaging Act, which promotes the use of recyclable and recycled materials, or the increasingly stringent EU directives on minimum recycling quotas. Companies thus benefit twice over: they improve the material quality of their recyclates while also meeting important regulatory and sustainability targets.

FAQ

What exactly is RESCOFIL^® ?

RESCOFIL^® is a high-performance mineral filler that reduces unpleasant odors in recycled plastics.

How does RESCOFIL^® combat unpleasant odors?

The mineral structure adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for odors.

In which plastics can RESCOFIL^® be used?

Primarily in polypropylene and polyethylene recyclates, but also in other thermoplastic compounds.

Does RESCOFIL^® affect the mechanical properties of the plastic?

No—tests showed no deterioration in mechanical performance.

Has the effectiveness of RESCOFIL^® been scientifically tested?

Yes. The effectiveness has been proven and documented olfactometrically in accordance with VDA 270.

Would you like to learn more about RESCOFIL^®?

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please get in touch—we will get back to you as soon as possible.