BASF’s Ccycled material powers Pescafacil’s seafood transport

In BASF’s Ccycled production process, fossil feedstocks are replaced at the very beginning of the value chain with pyrolysis oil derived from post-consumer plastic waste through chemical recycling

Sea products supplier Pescafácil, a specialist in seafood distribution, has begun transporting its fish and seafood products using Celoops boxes developed by Knauf Industries. These innovative boxes are produced with Styropor Ccycled expandable polystyrene (EPS) from BASF, marking a significant step toward circular plastic use in food packaging and logistics.

In BASF’s Ccycled production process, fossil feedstocks are replaced at the very beginning of the value chain with pyrolysis oil derived from post-consumer plastic waste through chemical recycling. This sustainable raw material is attributed to the EPS using a mass balance approach, allowing for a substantial reduction in the use of virgin fossil resources while maintaining identical performance and safety standards.

EPS has long been the material of choice for fish boxes due to its outstanding isothermal properties, shock resistance, stacking stability, and lightweight structure, all of which are crucial for maintaining the cold chain during transport. It is also 100 per cent recyclable, making it ideal for circular economy applications.

To retain these proven advantages while enhancing sustainability, Knauf Industries developed Celoops in collaboration with BASF. “Celoops offers the same high standards of hygiene and food contact safety as traditional EPS, while conserving fossil resources and supporting the circular economy,” said Víctor Borrás, COO at Knauf Industries Spain. “It represents a sustainable, high-performance alternative to conventional EPS.”

By switching to Celoops boxes, Pescafácil reinforces its dedication to food safety and environmental responsibility. “Food quality and safety are our top priorities, and securing the cold chain is essential to guarantee both,” said Mara Prieto, Purchasing Department representative and member of the Sustainability Committee at Pescafácil. “The new Celoops  boxes from Knauf Industries, made with BASF’s Ccycled material, not only provide the thermal insulation and durability we rely on but also demonstrate our commitment to circular economy principles.”

BASF’s Styropor Ccycled plays a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of packaging materials. “We are dedicated to continuously improving our products with a focus on sustainability,” explained Jesús Ocaña Corral, Product Management EPS at BASF. “Chemical recycling technologies are essential to meet recycled content targets defined by legislation such as the Plastic Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which supports technology-neutral, high-quality recycling. Additionally, national frameworks such as Spain’s plastic tax explicitly recognize chemical recycling as a valid pathway.”

At the end of their lifecycle, Celoops boxes can be fully recycled using existing EPS recycling technologies or through the Knauf Circular system, ensuring that the materials remain in the production loop.