Circularity with in-house rPET production
As the global packaging industry intensifies its focus on sustainability, Chemco Group has taken a step forward by becoming one of the few converters in Asia to manufacture its own rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) with its new Starlinger recoSTAR PET art line. This strategic move represents a firm commitment to building a truly circular packaging ecosystem.
Creating value through circularity
For over three decades, Chemco has produced PET packaging, supplying rigid and flexible packaging solutions to most trusted beverage and FMCG brands. The company has now extended its expertise into the recycling domain by integrating post-consumer PET recovery and conversion within its own manufacturing process.
By closing the loop internally, Chemco eliminates long transport routes, reduces its carbon footprint, and ensures complete traceability from collection to conversion. This vertical integration strengthens both supply security and sustainability performance – essential pillars in today’s packaging landscape.
From bottle-to-bottle
Chemco’s rPET operation begins with the sourcing of used PET bottles through approved collection networks. These bottles are AI-sorted, washed and processed into high-purity PET flakes. Chemco says that the flakes are transformed into food-grade rPET pellets through an advanced polycondensation process, designed to deliver consistent intrinsic viscosity (IV) and mechanical strength comparable to virgin PET.
The process is energy-efficient and resource-conscious, removing contaminants and non-PET elements using decontamination systems. The resulting rPET resin meets international standards such as EFSA and US FDA approvals for direct food-contact use, enabling Chemco to supply its customers with high-performance sustainable packaging materials, states the company.
Innovation at the core
Chemco’s transition to in-house rPET production reflects its philosophy – combining technology with environmental responsibility. Chemco will be operating one of the region’s most advanced infrastructures for PET processing, backed by automated inspection, energy recovery and process-control systems. The new recycling line integrates state-of-the-art washing line and solid-state polymerisation. The result is a closed-loop system capable of transforming discarded PET waste into high-value, brand-ready products.
Quality and compliance
In-house rPET production offers Chemco a quality advantage. Every batch of recycled resin undergoes strict laboratory analysis for intrinsic viscosity (IV), colour, clarity, acetaldehyde levels and melt flow properties. The company’s blending systems allow precise control over the ratio of virgin and recycled PET to meet specific customer requirements.
By producing rPET internally, Chemco reduces supply volatility and helps its partners achieve their recycled-content, carbon-reduction and EPR goals. This positions the company as a trusted long-term partner for global brands pursuing genuine sustainability.
Sustainable packaging
Chemco’s investment in rPET technology is aligned with India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Plastic Waste Management frameworks. By reclaiming and re-utilising PET at scale, the company is contributing to national and international objectives on waste reduction and circular manufacturing. The business impact is equally significant. As demand for recycled content continues to rise, Chemco is expanding capacity and exploring partnerships to further improve recovery efficiency and material performance.
A vision for the future
Chemco states that its approach to sustainability goes beyond regulatory compliance. As one of the few packaging converters producing its own rPET, the company implements processes that reuse post-consumer plastic, contributing to more sustainable packaging.