All articles

ALPLA’s new ultra-thin rPET yogurt cups combine high performance with recyclability, aligning with future EU packaging standards and circular goals.

Phase 2 of the “PET Thermoform Recycling Costs & Material Flow Project” examined the technical, economic, and logistical challenges of recycling PET thermoforms and proposed actionable solutions to address these barriers.

Recycling PET bottles has set a standard for other industries, but PET thermoforms are still gaining momentum. This industry segment is paving the way for a new landscape in PET recycling.

Each batch of recycled plastic is different, so testing and analysis are critical for processing and quality.

NetImpact, Hillenbrand and Coca-Cola partnered to organize a Circular Plastics Challenge designed to boost the supply of recycled PET (rPET). At NPE they named the winner as a team from Boise State University in Idaho, whose Strong Bottle concept proposes a bottle design that will not crush so flat in recycling facilities, enabling more PET resin to be reclaimed.

Swiss packaging machinery manufacturer PackSys Global and California’s Origin Materials have jointly developed a PET bottle cap that they say can help enable easier recycling by offering a mono-material solution to PET bottle makers.

Packamama’s eco-conscious, lightweight, flat-pack, recycled PET (rPET) wine bottles save space, reduce supply-chain emissions, and are virtually unbreakable.

On the journey towards sustainability, car manufacturers have faced a significant challenge in reducing the carbon footprint associated with the use of animal leather in vehicle upholstery and interiors.  Some have chosen to rigorously trace the supply chain of animal leather, while others have partnered with innovative emerging companies. A few have embarked on designing their own leather using recycled materials.

New regulations for food contact materials are getting stricter, especially for food-grade rPET. In the case of functional barriers from recycled material without prior decontamination, they could be affected and probably discontinued.

Advanced machinery that can effectively decontaminate post-consumer plastics is the key to producing rPET with exceptionally high purity. This quality is essential for FDA-approved food-grade packaging.