INNOVATION | PET RECYCLING
Above: Coperion has introduced a new standard- ised PET recycling solution
recycling process is key to increasing the quality of recycled plastics and their consequent uptake in new products,” said Paolo Glerean, Chairman of RecyClass. “The enhancements made to this protocol enable a more precise and consistent evaluation of how labels and adhesives perform throughout the recycling process.”
Technology solutions Coperion has introduced a new standardised PET recycling solution which produces high-end recompounds across a wide range of throughput capacities from 500 kg/h to 10 t/h. The new solution focuses on delivering exceptional product quality at a competitive price-performance ratio and is tailored for both bottle-to-bottle and bottle-to-sheet recycling applications. When paired with a solid- state polycondensation (SSP) reactor, the resulting recompounds are certified for direct food contact by the FDA and EFSA, while recompounds pro- duced on systems in bottle-to-sheet design are approved without need for further treatment. Regardless of the throughput, Coperion suggests the solution consistently delivers high- quality end products and ensures minimal IV degradation, resulting in crystal-clear materials that retain their aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the company says the systems offer remarkable flexibility, allowing for rapid changes in recipes and colours thanks to the excellent self-cleaning capabilities of the twin screw extruder. As pre-dry- ing and crystallization processes can be eliminated, the systems are able to achieve significant energy and time savings. In the chemical recycling sector, Eastman is continuing to drive the commercial viability of its methanolysis facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, US, a site now capable of recycling up to 110,000 tonnes/yr. The company’s technology breaks down plastics to the molecular level to create materials that are indistinguishable from virgin plastics. In the first year and a half of operation it recycled more
22 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | April 2026
than 140m lbs of plastic waste. To expand the reach of its technology, Eastman is now collaborating with various partners like Rumpke Waste & Recy- cling in Ohio, US. “Producing recycled materials with this level of quality and sustainability coupled with the fact that we have proven plant reliability advances the conversation with customers,” said Brad Lich, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Eastman. Eastman and Lithuanian PET manufacturer Doloop unveiled a 100% rPET bottle made from Eastar Renew EN031 at Drinktec 2025 in Germany last September. The collaboration has the goal of offering a scalable, real-world solution for achieving 100% recycled content in bottles. “Collaboration is essential for plastic packaging to become circular,” said Eric Dehouck, Managing Director of Eastman’s circular economy platform. “The Doloop relation- ship illustrates how supplier partnerships play a key role in preparing a market to address not only existing regulations but also those on the horizon.”
India focus While European and North American PET markets have been subdued, Christoph Wöss, Director Global Sales at Erema, remains optimistic about expansion in other territories, noting that many countries in Latin America already have EPR schemes, recycling targets, and frameworks that enable the use of rPET. He says Erema has also experienced positive momentum in India, where it recently opened a subsidiary with Lindner Washtech. “The combination of regulatory tailwinds and
increasing quality requirements makes India a strategically important growth market,” he said. “Over the past two years, we have seen in bottle-to- bottle recycling how quickly implementation progresses once the regulatory framework is set. We’ve sold lots of bottle-to-bottle systems, such as Vacunite, to the Indian market. However, it appears that the market has reached a plateau [and] other
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: COPERION
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