RecyClass and EPBP unite to secure rPET supply chain as recyclability targets loom

27 Jan 2022 --- RecyClass and the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) are partnering to help value chain actors transition to PET bottle production that maximizes recyclability.

The partnership comes as recycled PET (rPET) prices skyrocket worldwide. Numerous industry players have pledged to increase their uptake of recycled plastics, after the EU announced a mandatory target of 25% recycled content in PET bottles by 2025, increasing to 30% from 2030.

Meanwhile, looming plastics taxes and demand from other industries are also driving up rPET demand.

“If we are to make plastics circular, the industry players need to speak with one voice,” says Paolo Glerean, RecyClass’ chairman. “We also need a clear and long-term objective, which requires the collaboration, know-how and endorsement of all the partners.”

Protective measures
In the past year, rPET prices soared over 100%, fuelled by a surge in demand from beverage packagers seeking to hit environmental sustainability targets, as well as reports of slow EU authorization for new recycling facilities.

Beverage packagers celebrate the EPBP-RecyClass partnership as a necessary protective measure to ensure circularity within the packaging industry. According to UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe (UNESDA), beverage bottlers currently produce at least 70% rPET on the EU market but receive as little as 30% in return.RecyClass and EPBP plan to combine expertise from recycling infrastructure and PET bottle design.

“Working together to safeguard food contact rPET with the highest quality in a bottle-to-bottle closed loop will be a key enabler for the industry toward its commitments,” reinforces Philippe Diercxsens, EPBP board member representing Natural Mineral Waters Europe.

Within the partnership, EPBP will be responsible for the governance development and update of the testing protocols, while RecyClass will be responsible for the execution and validation of the standard package analysis, based on EPBP guidelines and protocols.

This validation will include, among others, running standard testing while ensuring impartiality and high testing quality.

“We believe that this partnership will be very beneficial to support a sustainable PET business and foster solutions that help create a truly circular economy,” comments Antoon Spiessens, EPBP board member representing UNESDA.

Merging design with infrastructure
The partnership will also aim to bring expertise from recycling infrastructure and PET bottle design together.

The EU has set a mandatory target of 25% recycled content in PET bottles by 2025.EPBP has built a reputation supporting industry by developing PET bottle design guidelines for recycling, evaluating beverage PET bottle packaging solutions and technologies, and understanding the effects of new PET bottle innovations on recycling processes and the circular economy.

“The ultimate objective of this initiative is food safety and consumers’ related protection, while EPBP fully supports and is an ambassador toward the circular economy working with all stakeholders across Europe,” says the partnership.

RecyClass works with all the actors from the value chain on the development of standard Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and other scientific testing methods for innovative polymer materials for a variety of applications. For example, it approved the Samson HDPE tube with Colgate Total artwork as recyclable last year.

Design for Recycling Guidelines
Test results are incorporated into the Design for Recycling Guidelines and the free RecyClass Online Tool, including the plastic packaging certification delivered by third-party auditors. It supports the industry in redesigning plastic packaging to improve recycled plastic quality, aiming to harmonize the existing methodologies.

“EPBP and RecyClass are looking forward to giving a clear direction and one voice to the industry on topics surrounding the recyclability of PET with an overall goal of sustainably improving its production, collection and recycling in Europe,” they conclude.

By Louis Gore-Langton

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