A new international industry group, the Global Antioxidant and Light Stabilizer Association (GALA), has been established by 20 founding member companies. The alliance aims to promote the safe, reliable, and sustainable use of additives, specifically antioxidants and light stabilisers, which are critical to extending the lifespan of plastics and other polymer products.
These additives play a vital role in the circular economy. Without stabilisers, polymers degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, oxygen, and ultraviolet light during their initial use and subsequent mechanical recycling processes. As regulatory bodies in the UK and the European Union tighten rules around chemical safety and food-contact materials, the scientific justification and advocacy for these essential additives have become increasingly critical for the plastics supply chain.
For UK packaging converters and Turkish recyclers, the work of GALA is highly relevant. Turkish recyclers exporting high-value post-consumer resins (PCR) to the UK and EU must ensure their pellets meet strict chemical safety standards, particularly for food-contact applications like rPET or food-grade rHDPE and rPP. Stabilisers are necessary to maintain material properties over multiple recycling loops, but their chemical safety profiles are under constant regulatory review. A coordinated global voice advocating for these substances helps prevent sudden, disruptive bans or restrictions that could compromise the viability of recycled resins. Furthermore, UK converters relying on imported recycled content need assurance that these additives comply with domestic UK REACH regulations.
The practical takeaway for recyclers and converters is to closely monitor GALA’s upcoming technical publications and regulatory filings. Businesses should audit their current additive formulations, ensuring that any antioxidants or light stabilisers used in their recycling processes are fully aligned with evolving UK and EU safety assessments to avoid future compliance bottlenecks.
