rPET - Recycled polyethylene terephthalate
rPet or recycled polyethylene terephthalate are all plastics that are made from recycled or waste plastic. You probably already know that recycled products are the more sustainable choice. Nevertheless, our bioplastic products cannot be made of 100% rPET. Find out why.
How is rPET made?
The recycling process of any used PET packaging or bottle begins at the sorting point. This is where all parts from different collection systems come together in bundles. Before they are sent for recycling, however, they are unbundled and sorted according to material composition. Depending on the recycling company, there are very different mechanical and chemical processes for recycling PET and producing high-quality rPET from it.
After bundling, the PET material is freed from external dirt and shredded into flakes. These flakes are then cleaned thoroughly and, in the best case, in a water-saving manner. They are then processed into granulate. Depending on the degree of purity, this granulate can then be used to make a wide variety of products.
Post-consumer and post-industrial PET
Basically, a distinction is made between two different types of base products in rPET production: post-industrial PET and post-consumer PET. Post-industrial PET is PET that is left over during the manufacture of PET products and is then processed into rPET through a recycling process. Post-consumer PET is used plastic that is created by us as end consumers. This includes, for example, beverage bottles and packaging.
The use of post-consumer PET for the production of rPET with food contact is currently still problematic. Due to the various impurities, such as printing ink, banderoles and other remnants, rPET can usually only be used for the layer of a packaging or bottle that is not in direct contact with the food. This is also the reason why food packaging is usually only partly made of post-consumer PET. Post-industrial PET-based rPET, on the other hand, can completely replace conventional PET.
Special properties of rPET
- 100% recyclable
- High stability
- Resistant to oils, fats & alcohols
- Water resistant
- Reduced emissions
Why is rPET sustainable?
Compared to conventional PET, rPET is much more sustainable and resource-efficient in production. This is mainly due to the fact that much less oil has to be processed into polymers. In addition, rPET can be recycled without loss of raw materials and also causes fewer emissions in the recycling process.
What rPET products can you find in our shop?
In our online shop you will find rPET lids that are compatible with our cardboard trays or reusable trays. They are ideal for salad counters where transparent lids come in handy. If you are looking for a shatterproof alternative to glass bottles, rPET filling bottles are the right choice. These come in different sizes, made from up to 50% recycled rPET.
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