Origin Materials unveils monomaterial PET bottle caps to boost recycling rates

09 Aug 2023 --- Origin Materials has created PET bottle caps to allow manufacturers to develop monomaterial packaging that can be recycled without separation. The caps can be produced with any PET, from recycled PET (rPET) to Origin’s 100% bio-based, carbon-negative virgin PET.

The patent-pending innovation is expected to begin to address an approximately US$65 billion global caps and closures market, anticipated to grow to US$96 billion by 2030, Origin details.

“We identified a global [environmental] sustainability challenge and an opportunity to solve it,” says John Bissell, co-founder and co-CEO of Origin Materials. “An all-PET bottle and cap and closure system is an obvious, necessary next step in beverage packaging and recycling.” 

“With our process, we can make caps from 100% rPET or 100% bio-based PET, unlocking important sustainability and potentially performance benefits for our customers.”

Tethering PET caps 
The EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive mandates that caps and lids on beverage containers up to three liters must remain attached to bottles to incentivize the recoverability and recyclability of bottles. Notable tethered cap innovations by Bericap, Tetra Pak, Sidel and SACMI have been seen in the industry.

“While traditional caps must be separated from PET bottles during recycling, Origin’s PET caps would not need to be separated from their tethered containers and could thus be recycled simply and easily,” details the company. 

The all-PET caps allow for the development of single-material products, thus improving post-consumer recycling. 

“This is what happens when you bring together some of the best materials and polymer scientists and engineers in the world under one roof,” says Bissell. 

“We saw an obvious need for a monomaterial solution, and the creativity of our team rose to the challenge. I am proud that our team’s expertise in PET led to this tremendous advancement for recycling.”

Edited by Radhika Sikaria