Record levels in PET to PET mid-year report: 18,403 tons of PET bottles recycled
After a slight decline in recycling volumes last year (with 31,354t of PET material), PET to PET Recycling Österreich GmbH reports a new record high for the first half of 2025. A total of 18,403 t of PET beverage bottles were successfully kept in circulation – a 14.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024 (16,071t).
A key factor behind this growth is the introduction of deposit return systems in Austria and several neighboring European countries. These systems improve material quality by ensuring that only beverage packaging is collected, while contaminants such as other types of plastic packaging and incorrect waste are largely excluded. As a result, more PET beverage bottles are gathered, the quality of recycled material is higher, and the circular use of PET is strengthened.
Christian Strasser, Managing Director of PET to PET, cautioned, however, that market conditions remain challenging, as secondary raw materials continue to be significantly more expensive than virgin materials, which undermines the development of a well-functioning circular economy.
His colleague, Managing Director Thomas Billes, added that the company is facing growing competition from abroad, particularly from operators in countries where environmental and labor standards do not meet EU requirements. This, he said, also distorts the market.
Quality adjustments in preparation for deposit system
In the course of preparing for the deposit return system, PET to PET adapted and optimised its recycling plant in the first half of the year to meet the expected new quality standards. A particular focus was placed on detecting and removing metallic contaminants from beverage cans. The inspection and sorting of foreign materials remains a key safety measure in the processing of incoming PET.
Expansion of storage capacity and modernisation of facilities
For the second half of the year, PET to PET plans to build an additional 140m³ silo to create more weather-protected storage space for PET recyclate. Part of the existing storage area will also be covered, enabling a future expansion of the company’s photovoltaic system, which currently has a capacity of 1.2 MWp, by an additional 250 kWp.
Photo f.l.t.r.: Managinf Directors Thomas Billes and Christian Strasser (photo: Andi Bruckner)