SPEX and Minéraux set out to create a new material for plastic food and cosmetics packaging. Fully recycled plastic by dissolution – free of color, odor, plasticizers, and other contaminants – combined with a safe, TiO2-free white pigment is Xafe.

Xafe will become the leading alternative of choice for a growing group of ESG-minded brand owners and producers of food products and cosmetics. Discarded plastic packaging can become better then new. Cleaner, safer and with a lower environmental impact. A true alternative that combines the advantages of plastic packaging, such as a prolonged shelf life and reduced spillage without having to rely on virgin plastic resins. By eliminating titanium dioxide, Xafe will be white and opaque without containing a widely used chemical colorant that is considered both carcinogenic, reprotoxic and genotoxic.

Xafe combines the unique knowledge and technologies of two Dutch companies that are true pioneers in their own right.

SPEX Technologies has a unique solution for recycling plastics (PE & PP) that selectively extracts PE and PP by dissolution from a plastics-rich waste stream. SPEX cleans the plastic to near-virgin quality. Afterwards, it can be used within new, high-standard applications, such as plastic packaging.

Minéraux has developed RAUX®, a mineral alternative to titanium dioxide that is just as white and just as opaque. Its white pigment is non-hazardous and has a significantly reduced CO2-footprint. This white pigment is uniquely suitable for application such as food and cosmetics packaging, toys and baby products, where the non-toxic and environmentally friendlier characteristics make it a must-use alternative.

The ’X’ in Xafe symbolizes the shared strengths of SPEX and RAUX®. It’s a testament to what the new product does not contain, like contaminants, carcinogens, new plastics from refineries, or a high CO2-footprint. X stands for extraction; X marks the spot.

The development of Xafe by SPEX and Minéraux is facilitated by a grant received from the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland.

MINÉRAUX BV The Hague, the Netherlands | www.mineraux.nl | info@mineraux.nl

SPEX BV Rotterdam, the Netherlands. | www.obbotec.com/spex-technologie | info@jjjj