Avantium plant-based polymer granted PET stream compatibility
(All image credits: Avantium).
Avantium’s PET/PEF multilayer bottle is fully compatible with PET recycling streams. The finding follows a RecyClass evaluation, the European non-profit initiative dedicated to advancing plastics circularity.
Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate), branded as Releaf, can be used in fully plant-based monolayer PEF bottles and in combination with PET.
PEF can be used in multilayer PET bottles as a barrier material when a single layer of PET cannot guarantee the required shelf life. Currently, conventional multilayer PET bottles include nylon as a barrier, which is known to cause issues when recycled within the PET recycling stream.
The PEF/PET multilayer bottle is recyclable in conventional PET streams.Avantium says that a PEF layer is a suitable alternative due to its barrier properties and resemblance to PET.
Ingrid Goumans, director for Public Affairs at Avantium, comments: “This recognition by RecyClass demonstrates that PEF can be successfully integrated into the PET recycling stream.”
“By offering a 100% high-barrier polyester solution, the PEF/PET multilayer bottle opens new possibilities for sustainable packaging. It gives brand owners and converters the confidence to adopt PEF as a functional barrier layer in their PET applications.”
Adopting PEF in PET solutions
The RecyClass PET Technical Committee evaluated Avantium’s PET/PEF multilayer bottle — containing 10% PEF Releaf RP90N — through lab tests by PTI-Europe and Plastics Forming Enterprises.
Avantium says that the test results confirmed full compatibility with PET recycling streams under the conditions outlined in the RecyClass Approval Letter. RecyClass collaborates with the US-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) to harmonize recyclability recommendations and testing procedures.
Avantium’s PEF received APR Critical Guidance Recognition in 2023. With these approvals, Avantium says brand owners can confidently adopt PEF as a recyclable barrier layer.
Additionally, RecyClass validation supports favorable acceptance by national producer responsibility organizations, which oversee compliance with EPR regulations and determine packaging-related EPR fees.
