Chemical PET recycling has become a necessity
Chemical PET recycling has become a necessityChristian-Yves Crépet (Photo: Petcore)Coca-Cola has always been upfront and proactive concerning recycling. It has participated financially in investing for mechanical recycling in European countries such as in France and the UK. Now, among other stakeholders in the industry and brand owners, Coca-Cola is going ahead in backing the European chemical recycling project ?Demeto? (www.demeto.eu) ? see Plasteurope.com of 03.07.2018. As chemical recycling is inscribed in our strategy, we welcome it alongside with mechanical recycling, which will remain the main solution for PET bottles.
In addition to our objectives of 90% PET recycling for 2030, it is clear that to achieve Petcore Europe's commitment in collaboration with the European Commission, aiming for more than 65% recycling by 2030, chemical recycling has become a necessity and is on its way to becoming a reality, along with many other firms such as Carbios, L?Oréal, Indorama and Procter & Gamble. They are involved, well advanced and working actively on the subject with great results.
Now, as regards the best way to increase circularity, the answers are in eco-design, and much higher PET collection in different well-sorted PET streams. In effect, the EU collection rate is around 60% and the mechanical European capacities are, in 2018, in excess of 300,000 t/y ? this endangers the recyclers that do not work at full capacity.
In addition, as we have seen that chemical recycling is well on its way, and in order to meet the new recycling objectives in the European strategy for plastics, it has become important to prepare ourselves for the increasing well-separated collection of ?difficult to recycle PET? such as opaque products.
To conclude, if different PET qualities and streams are well separated, that is to say between clear bottles, trays and opaques, we, at Petcore Europe, are extremely optimistic about the future and to remain ?best in class? for recycled polymers. The PET industry has been very active in recycling since 1993 and is more motivated than ever to continue our success story with mechanical and chemical recycling for the 2025 and 2030 objectives.
Christian-Yves Crépet
Executive director at Petcore Europe03.07.2018 Plasteurope.com [240097-0]
In addition to our objectives of 90% PET recycling for 2030, it is clear that to achieve Petcore Europe's commitment in collaboration with the European Commission, aiming for more than 65% recycling by 2030, chemical recycling has become a necessity and is on its way to becoming a reality, along with many other firms such as Carbios, L?Oréal, Indorama and Procter & Gamble. They are involved, well advanced and working actively on the subject with great results.
Now, as regards the best way to increase circularity, the answers are in eco-design, and much higher PET collection in different well-sorted PET streams. In effect, the EU collection rate is around 60% and the mechanical European capacities are, in 2018, in excess of 300,000 t/y ? this endangers the recyclers that do not work at full capacity.
In addition, as we have seen that chemical recycling is well on its way, and in order to meet the new recycling objectives in the European strategy for plastics, it has become important to prepare ourselves for the increasing well-separated collection of ?difficult to recycle PET? such as opaque products.
To conclude, if different PET qualities and streams are well separated, that is to say between clear bottles, trays and opaques, we, at Petcore Europe, are extremely optimistic about the future and to remain ?best in class? for recycled polymers. The PET industry has been very active in recycling since 1993 and is more motivated than ever to continue our success story with mechanical and chemical recycling for the 2025 and 2030 objectives.
Christian-Yves Crépet
Executive director at Petcore Europe03.07.2018 Plasteurope.com [240097-0]
» Publication Date: 03/07/2018