Nestlé leverages Carbios’ enzymatic recycling tech for rPET Perrier water bottles

24 Jun 2021 --- Nestlé is unveiling prototypes for its Perrier water bottles based on Carbios’ novel recycling technology, which uses enzymes to convert PET into new, virgin-grade quality plastic. 

The bottles were produced as part of the Carbios global consortium, supporting the industrialization of an innovative technology for recycling plastic while maintaining properties “virtually equivalent” to virgin plastics. 

The consortium members include L’Oréal, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe and PepsiCo.

Using this novel technology, experts at Nestlé’s R&D center for waters in Vittel, France, produced the first Perrier 50 cl prototype bottles made from colored recycled PET (rPET) materials. 

The prototypes were thoroughly tested for safety, quality, and performance and specially adapted to withstand the pressure of carbonated water. The bottles also incorporate the iconic design and green color of the Perrier bottle.

Industrial-scale recycling
Nestlé says that while rPET bottles already exist in the marketplace, this new technology will help increase the amount of PET that can be recycled when developed at an industrial scale.

“It is very exciting to see the quality of the prototype bottles made from 100 percent colored rPET materials is virtually identical to clear virgin PET,” comments Jean-Francois Briois, head of packaging material science and environmental sustainability for Nestlé Waters global R&D.Carbios’ process enables the production of rPET from any type of PET plastic, regardless of color or complexity.

“Thanks to this partnership with Carbios, we are able to achieve the great challenge of combining quality, iconic design and sustainability.”

“When we reach industrial scale, this enzymatic recycling technology will enable us to produce high-quality rPET bottles and help Nestlé in its journey to reduce the use of virgin plastics.”

Carbios’ patented PET recycling
The Carbios technology uses enzymes from naturally occurring microorganisms to break down PET plastic into its constituent parts, which can then be converted back into new, virgin-grade like plastic.

The company explains PET plastics that would otherwise go to waste or be incinerated can now be brought back into a continuous circular recycling system.

Moreover, this can be achieved at high speed – breaking down 97 percent of the plastic in just 16 hours – 10,000 times more efficient than any biological plastic recycling trial to date, according to a peer-reviewed article in Nature journal.

The process is also unique as it enables the production of rPET from any type of PET plastic, regardless of color or complexity. This versatility allows the recycling of more types of PET, creating a fully closed loop for plastic recycling.

“In a world first, we have created food-grade clear bottles from enzymatically recycled colored and complex plastic with identical properties to virgin PET, and in partnership with the consortium, we have proved the viability of the technology with the world’s leading brands,” explains Carbios’ CEO, Jean Claude Lumaret.

“This is a truly transformational innovation that could finally fully close the loop on PET plastic supply globally so it never becomes waste.”Carbios’ consortium members include L’Oréal, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe and PepsiCo.

Leveraging Nestlé’s R&D expertise
Nestlé’s R&D expertise and infrastructure were also leveraged to create bottle preforms using the technology for other Carbios consortium members. Each member then further blew up the preforms into specific bottle shapes according to their needs.

The Carbios partnership and resulting innovations are part of Nestlé’s efforts to transition from virgin plastics to food-grade recycled plastics.

In January 2020, the FMCG giant announced a 2 billion Swiss francs investment (US$2.18 billion) to pioneer the shift from virgin plastics to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of innovative sustainable packaging solutions.

Nestlé recently unveiled two new packaging innovations for its Vittel natural mineral water bottles which are made with as little recycled plastic as possible.

The company also supports The US Plastics Pact, a consortium led by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact Network. The Pact recently announced a national roadmap to accelerate the packaging circular economy.

By Joshua Poole