Contaminant Migration Research Articles

Electrical Imaging Characterization of a Dumpsite on an Abandoned Quarry Site in Abeokuta, South West, Nigeria

A resistivity imaging technique was employed to delineate the degree of leachate plume accumulation and migration for possible groundwater pollution in the subsurface of Saje dumpsite on an abandoned quarry site within the Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of twenty-five 2D profiles were mapped, adopting Wenner configuration using Ohmega resistivity meter with electrode spacing ranging from 5-25 m and profile lengths of 100 m. The 2D and 3D inversions of the data were carried out by RES2DINV and RES3DINV software, respectively. The inversions revealed both the lateral and vertical extents of conductive zones, mostly in fractured zones that served as the contaminant pathways. The 3D volumetric visualizations of the subsurface were generated by Voxler 4. The 2D and 3D models depicted regions with low resistivity anomalies ranging from 1.33-70.70 and 4.70-13.20 Ωm to maximum penetrated depths of 13.4 and 21.9 m, respectively. This study identified zones of concentrated pollution to depths that could have reached the water aquifer and indicated contaminants migration pathways that could endanger the groundwater as the dumpsite ages.

A new analytical model for transport of multiple contaminants considering remediation of both NAPL source and downgradient contaminant plume in groundwater

The contamination of groundwater aquifers by chlorinated solvents is a water-resource issue of great importance worldwide. Such contaminants are difficult to treat because they are often released as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). Research shows that the application of remediation technologies to both the NAPL source and dissolved plume can lead to more efficient remediation, rather than to either alone. In these remediation efforts, analytical models that evaluate behavior and fate of contaminants do provide a better understanding of the performance of these remedial technologies. To the best of our knowledge, there exist no analytical model of simulating the plume migration of multiple contaminants with capabilities of accounting for both NAPL source and plume remediation simultaneously and different retardation for original chlorinated solvent contaminant and its degradation byproducts. In this study, we present a new analytical model for remediating both NAPL source and downgradient contaminant plume in groundwater at sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents and their degradation products with different retardation factors as well as considering both NAPL source and plume remediation simultaneously. A source model that accounts for the depletion of mass by the processes of dissolution or first-order decay reactions, corresponding with the removal or destruction of the source mass, is coupled to a plume reactive transport model. The source model is accounted for by relating source mass to the flux-averaged source discharge concentration through a power function. The developed analytical model considers 1-D advection, 3-D dispersion, first-order decay reactions and ingrowth as well as linear isothermal equilibrium sorption. The proposed analytical solution was derived through successive application of the Laplace transform in time and the double finite Fourier cosine transform regarding y and z. The correctness of the analytical model and its auxiliary FORTRAN computer program code are proved by showing excellent agreements between the simulated plume concentrations of all contaminants obtained from the derived analytical model and from a semi-analytical model available in the literature. Application of the proposed analytical solutions illustrates that the use of identical retardation factors for all contaminants may lead to underestimation or overestimation of the mobility of the contaminants, in cases when the retardation factors of the individual contaminants are greatly different from the identical retardation factor value adopted in all contaminants. From the experiments on six scenarios corresponding six remedial treatments, we found out that both the enhanced source decay and partial removal of source mass are main controlling factors at reducing the concentrations of all the contaminants, whereas plume decay leads to effective reduction in the concentrations of PCE, however, rather it causes unfavorable increases of the concentrations of the degradation byproducts.Ultimately, the developed model is used to better understand the impacts of various possible combinations of remedial efforts and management decisions on remediation of the subsurface contamination and quantify the benefit of a certain remediation decision.

Safety assessment of the process Petainer Lidköping, based on the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Petainer Lidköping (EU register number RECYC254), which uses the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in a ■■■■■ IR dryer (step 2) before being processed by the finisher (step 3). Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that step 2 and step 3 are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of this step are temperature, airflow and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.10 μg/kg food, derived from the exposure scenario for infants when such recycled PET is used at up to 100%. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process AR Packaging Flexibles, based on the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process AR Packaging Flexibles (EU register number RECYC256), which uses the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in a ■■■■■ IR dryer (step 2) before being processed by the finisher (step 3). Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that step 2 and step 3 are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of this step are temperature, airflow and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.10 and 0.15 μg/kg food, derived from the exposure scenario for infants and toddlers, respectively, when such recycled PET is used at up to 100%. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Amhil Europa, based on the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Amhil Europa (EU register number RECYC255), which uses the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in a ■■■■■ IR dryer (step 2) before being processed by the finisher (step 3). Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that step 2 and step 3 are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of this step are temperature, airflow and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.10 and 0.15 μg/kg food, derived from the exposure scenario for infants and toddlers, respectively, when such recycled PET is used at up to 100%. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Brunetti Packaging, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Brunetti Packaging (EU register number RECYC257), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallised in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallisation (step 2), extrusion and crystallisation (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, air flow and residence time for the drying and crystallisation step, and temperature, pressure and residence time for the extrusion and crystallisation step, as well as the SSP step. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Paccor Polska, based on the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Paccor Polska (EU register number RECYC253), which uses the Kreyenborg IR Clean+ technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in a ■■■■■ IR dryer (step 2) before being processed by the finisher (step 3). Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that step 2 and step 3 are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of this step are temperature, airflow and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.10 and 0.15 μg/kg food, derived from the exposure scenario for infants and toddlers, respectively, when such recycled PET is used at up to 100%. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Verdeco Recycling, based on PET direct iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Verdeco Recycling (EU register number RECYC241), which uses the Starlinger PET direct iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are extruded to pellets, which are then crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the three steps, extrusion, crystallisation and SSP, are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, gas flow, pressure and residence time. The challenge test demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave or conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Effects of micro- and nano-plastics on accumulation and toxicity of pyrene in water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk).

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in terrestrial ecosystems are attracting increasing attentions. However, the studies of MNPs on the accumulation and migration of organic contaminants in edible plants are relatively scarce. Here, we investigated the impacts and mechanisms of MNPs of different concentrations and sizes on the uptake and toxicity of pyrene in water spinach. The results showed that MNPs had a promotion effect on the uptake of pyrene in various parts of water spinach, leading to the continuous accumulation of pyrene. The promotion effect of high concentration microplastics (MPs, 10μm) is stronger than that of nanoplastics (NPs, 100nm). The co-exposure of MNPs and pyrene increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in water spinach and aggravated the damage of lipid peroxidation. The co-exposure of MNPs and pyrene induced the increase of photosynthetic pigment contents and enhanced chloroplast activity. In addition, the co-exposure stimulated the overexpression of psbA and rbcL genes related to photosynthetic pigments, resulting in genotoxicity of water spinach. This study emphasized that the co-exposure of MNPs and pyrene caused harmful effects and high concentration of MPs caused greater toxicity to water spinach than NPs.

Enhanced semi-volatile DNAPL accessibility at sub-boiling temperature during electrical resistance heating in heterogeneous porous media

Successful remediation of semi-volatile contaminants using electrical resistance heating (ERH) coupled technologies requires a deep understanding of contaminant migration and accessibility, especially with stratigraphic heterogeneity and dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) occurrence. Here, we chose nitrobenzene (NB) as a model contaminant of semi-volatile DNAPL and uniquely demonstrated that temperature variation during ERH could induce NB DNAPL migration out of the low permeability zone (LPZ) even below water boiling temperature. When heating the system using alternating current (AC) of 140 V to a temperature range of 50–79 °C, obvious DNAPL migration was visually observed. The upward migration of DNAPL would considerably increase the mass of accessible contaminant by other remediation measures. The downstream cumulative NB mass of 1092 mg in 140 V system raised 56-folds compared to that of 19 mg in the control experiment with only groundwater flow. This migration was mainly attributed to a complex natural convection caused by temperature gradient. Comparing with traditional AC heating, ERH powered by pulsed direct current (PDC-ERH) showed a higher and more uneven heating pattern, resulting in a stronger convection at the same voltage that enhanced the DNAPL migration out of LPZ. These results revealed the importance of natural convection in the ERH process, which could be further optimized to improve the energy efficiency of remediation.

Transfer of xenobiotics from contaminated beeswax into different bee matrices under field conditions and the related exposure probability

Beeswax is known to have a high capacity to accumulate different contaminants due to its fat-soluble properties. Many surveys in Europe and the USA have shown high levels of contamination in beeswax especially with acaricides used for varroa treatment. In this study, we investigated the transfer pathways of various active substances from beeswax into different matrices under field conditions. Honey, bee bread, larvae, and pupae samples were collected 6–8 weeks after building the experimental colonies on different charges of wax foundations. Identification and quantification of the target substances were performed with an established and validated multi-residue method using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS systems. Nine out of 19 active substances in wax could be detected in the analyzed matrices. Our results confirm the migration of different contaminants from wax into different bee matrices including honey, bee bread, and bee brood. The concentration of detected residues in the different matrices was significantly increased by increasing residue concentration in wax. Therefore, the maximum detected residues in the matrices were almost in wax containing high residual concentrations. Bee bread can be considered as the most important matrix due to relatively high detected concentrations and transfer ratios of the most contaminants. A significant effect of the lipophilicity of active substances on the transfer ratio into bee bread was found, which means that increasing the Log P values has positive effects on the transfer ratio. In conclusion, our results provide the first detailed information regarding the migration of active substances from wax into various matrices under realistic field conditions and are fundamentally important for assessing potential exposure and risks for honey bees.

Numerical case studies on long-term effectiveness of metallic iron based permeable reactive barriers: Importance of porosity heterogeneity of the barrier

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3-D) numerical groundwater flow and transport model of a metallic iron based permeable reactive barrier (Fe0-PRB) to assess how porosity heterogeneity of the barrier medium may affect groundwater flow over time and influence the long-term effectiveness of a Fe0-PRB. A 3-D high resolution aquifer outcrop analogue was utilized to implement aquifer heterogeneity. To evaluate the treatment performance of the PRB, the contaminant plume migration and groundwater residence time were investigated. The findings demonstrate that heterogeneity of porosity reduction of the barrier medium is an important factor in estimating the long-term performance of a continuous-wall Fe0-PRB. Ignoring the porosity heterogeneity of the barrier medium leads to an underestimation of the by-passing flow by 30%-41% in ten-years simulation, and of contaminant plume spread over time. Groundwater residence time simulations shows no evident residence time reduction during the operation of the Fe0-PRB. Installation of a pea gravel equalization zone can effectively reduce the heterogeneity of the barrier medium, and minimize the by-passing flow.

Safety assessment of the process Extremadura TorrePet, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Extremadura TorrePet (EU register number RECYC247), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallised in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallisation (step 2), extrusion and crystallisation (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, air flow and residence time for the drying and crystallisation step, and temperature, pressure and residence time for the extrusion and crystallisation step as well as the SSP step. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Circularpet IV80, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Circularpet IV80 (EU register number RECYC250), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallised in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallisation (step 2), extrusion and crystallisation (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, air flow and residence time for the drying and crystallisation step, and temperature, pressure and residence time for the extrusion and crystallisation step as well as the SSP step. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Ganesha ecosphere, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Ganesha Ecosphere (EU register number RECYC248), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallised in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallisation (step 2), extrusion and crystallisation (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, air flow and residence time for the drying and crystallisation step, and temperature, pressure and residence time for the extrusion and crystallisation step as well as the SSP step. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Greenpet, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Greenpet (EU register number RECYC249), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallised in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallisation (step 2), extrusion and crystallisation (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, air flow and residence time for the drying and crystallisation step, and temperature, pressure and residence time for the extrusion and crystallisation step as well as the SSP step. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Treatment of faecal sludge and sewage effluent by pinewood biochar to reduce wastewater bacteria and inorganic contaminants leaching

Biochar is a valuable treatment option for faecal sludge management (FSM). However, the sanitation application rates of biochar in FSM are not well established. There is also a gap in knowledge about the effect of actual raw sewage effluent and sludge on organic and inorganic contaminants migration of biochar treated soil. This study investigated the concentration and migration rates of N, P, E. coli and faecal coliform bacteria through different soil-bed biochar column treatments leached with raw faecal sludge and sewage effluent. Forty-four soil-bed leaching columns with pinewood biochar rates at 5, 10 and 20 t/ha were set at the Bloemspruit wastewater plant, South Africa. The pinewood biochar used had a pH of 10.21, total C composition of 92%, surface area of 517 m²/g, and a pore size of 1.7 nm. It was found that the 20 t biochar per ha treatment with faecal sludge increased water retention (flows of 33 mm/h. at 0 t/ha compared to 0.8 mm/h. at 20 t/ha) and leachates purification. High detections were observed for faecal coliforms and E.coli above 4331 CFU/100 mL from the effluent and faecal sludge in soils without biochar. Detection of E.coli at 20 t/ha decreased to 1 CFU/100 mL while the faecal coliforms still had counts above 10 CFU/ 100 mL. The results showed a decreasing rate of nitrates, phosphates, zinc and copper with an increasing biochar application rate. Pinewood biochar showed significant removal efficiencies of bacteria (between 89 and 98%) and nitrates and phosphates (between 68 and 98%). Significant differences were seen at P < 0.05 between the means of the treatments with and without biochar. The results from the study show that pinewood biochar applied at rates between 5 and 20 t/ha has a high organic and inorganic contaminants reduction potential for FSM.

Safety assessment of the process EREMA, based on EREMA MPR + DS technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process EREMA (EU register number RECYC205), which uses the EREMA MPR + DS technology. The input material is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in a ■■■■■ reactor under vacuum before being extruded. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the ■■■■■ reactor (step 2) and the extruder (step 3) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency. The operating parameters to control the performance of these steps are temperature, pressure and residence time. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food, derived from the exposure scenario for infants when such recycled PET is used at up to 100%. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not considered to be of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Greiner Packaging, based on Starlinger deCON technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Greiner Packaging (EU register number RECYC243), which uses the Starlinger deCON technology. The input material is hot washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, e.g. bottles, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are preheated before being submitted to solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) in a ■■■■■ reactor at high temperature under vacuum and ■■■■■ Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the preheating (step 2) and the decontamination in the SSP reactor (step 3) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, pressure, residence time and ■■■■■ It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not considered to be of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave or conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.

Safety assessment of the process Kalex Films, based on Starlinger deCON technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Kalex Films (EU register number RECYC244), which uses the Starlinger deCON technology. The input material is hot washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, e.g. bottles, including no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are preheated before being submitted to solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) in a ■■■■■ reactor at high temperature under vacuum and ■■■■■ Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the preheating (step 2) and the decontamination in the SSP reactor (step 3) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, pressure, residence time and ■■■■■ It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not considered to be of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave or conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.