10 / 2025

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"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 35 the line becomes part of Krones’ digital world – visible, connected, secure and remote-maintenance-enabled. The central Krones.world platform gives both the customer and Krones 24/7 access to relevant production data. The combination of digital tools, know-how and collaborative partnership makes it possible to reliably and securely achieve the agreed-upon performance in a joint effort. Compliance with legal requirements such as the Cyber Resilience Act, NIS2, and the EU Data Act is also ensured. Lifecycle Alliance The Lifecycle Alliance built into Ingeniq commits Krones to ensure that the agreed-upon level of line efficiency is reached through a joint effort. Krones says it will enable customers to increase output and production reliability, reduce operating costs and downtimes, and improve availability. Krones offers individually configurable service packages (modular service agreements) and personal consultations with their experts, to make its services optimally aligned and adaptable to meet each customer’s specific requirements. Markus Tischer, Member of the Executive Board of Krones AG responsible for International Operations and Services, describes the scope of the new concept: “We’re starting the new line concept of the future with a version that fills noncarbonated water into PET containers – but that is just the beginning. Additional container types and product categories will follow. With Ingeniq, Krones is transforming itself from a machine manufacturer into a comprehensive partner for successful production, working together with each customer.” www.krones.com"},{"@ID":16

"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 14 Material savings from neck to base by Alexander Büchler The injection moulding process requires a hot/liquid core as the plastic part cools in the mould until it solidifies completely. Otherwise, the material that has already been injected would shrink due to cooling and sink marks would be visible. The preform developer must therefore ensure that - starting from the injection point to the last point at the top of the neck - the flow paths become continuously thinner so that the preform can solidify backwards from the neck and the shrinkage is compensated via the hot core. Editour Interview with ReduPET // June 16, 2025 We met: Stefan Bock, CEO In the stretch blow moulding process, however, one doesn’t need this kind of material distribution, here an optimum (weight-saving) material distribution would be as follows: a stable neck area, thin walls and an even thinner preform base. If you were to inject the preform the other way round (from the neck area to the base), the material distribution in the preform would come pretty close to the requirements of stretch blow moulding. I have not yet seen a corresponding mould. With its preform compression moulding XTREME, SIPA is the only company to optimise material distribution in the preform for the stretch blow moulding process. This is not possible in conventional injection moulding due to the hot core required by the system as described above. ReduPET has taken up the challenge and continues to mould the floor area in the aftercooling station to the outside. This distributes the material better and makes the floor area much thinner. As the process takes place outside the mould, the technology has no influence on the cycle time. This is of course particularly impressive with 20L canisters (see PDG article on page 10) where 25% material could be saved from 485g to 370g. The owners of the patents ReduPET and CPS (Creative Packaging Solution) intervenes more in the preform geometry with their Neck-Lite technology. The initial consideration is the same: the preform needs its hot core right up to the tip. In addition to the unnecessary accumulation of material in the floor area, there is also an unnecessary accumulation of material on the neck between the shoulder and the neck ring. The wall thickness there is necessary to completely fill out the neck finish. The idea now is that the necessary wall thickness is only at least minimum five positions around the neck, sufficiently to have the hot core up to the tip and to remove material in between. Visually, the neck now looks as if it has bars. The stretch blow-moulding machine manufacturers have reservations as to whether the “bars” - which now lie exactly in the preform and bottle holders - will not interfere with the high-speed systems. Mohamad Rias from Oman is using the new geometry from SIPA and Krones systems for the first time. The new neck geometry could be driven at the same speed without changing the holders. The water preform’s weight could be reduced by 0.15 g per preform using Neck-Lite. That results in a savings of 75 t/a of PET for 500 million preforms. www.redupet.swiss Sponsors to date The picture clearly shows the bars in the Neck-Lite geometry on the preform neck. Neck and base of most bottles on supermarket shelves are still showing an obvious optimisation potential of up to 8%. Neck-Lite acts directly in the mould and has no influence on the system. An especially developed geometry below the transport ring allows thinnest wall sections while the thread is fully formed."},{"@ID":21

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 19 The carbon released can then be stored underground or used in, for example, Power2X plants, which convert electrons into another product of value. “The main ingredient is plastic waste that would otherwise have an unsustainable afterlife, and the synthesis we use, where the chemical transformation takes place, is gentler than other materials for CO2 capture because we can make the synthesis in ambient temperatures. It also has the advantage that the technology can be scaled up more easily,” Margarita Poderyte says. No conflict with recycling During the development process, the researchers encountered concerns that their technology could undermine efforts to recycle plastic, which has been heavily invested in. That is not the case: it is complementary to recycling, not a competitor. “In principle, we could use new plastic for our method, but our target is PET plastic that is difficult to recycle because of low quality, colouration or mixed sources – or that has decomposed to such a degree that it’s no longer suitable for recycling,” Margarita Poderyte says. Co-author and Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Jiwoong Lee, highlights the material’s flexibility. “One of the impressive things about this material is that it stays effective for a long time. And flexible. It works efficiently from normal room temperature up to about 150 degrees Celsius. With this kind of tolerance to high temperatures, the material can be used at the end of industrial plants where the exhausts are typically hot,” Jiwoong Lee says. From laboratory to innovation at the end of the chimney With a potentially revolutionary idea, a proven method and an effective finished product, the researchers are now ready for the next step. “We see great potential for this material, not just in the lab, but in reallife industrial carbon capture plants. The next big step is scaling up to produce the material in tonnes, and we’re already working to attract investments and make our invention a financially sustainable business venture,” Margarita Poderyte says. The technical challenges do not worry the researchers. Instead, the decisive challenge, they say, is to persuade decision-makers to make the necessary investments. If they succeed in that, the invention could ultimately lead to significant changes. Economic incentive to cleanse the oceans The PET plastic that has been accumulating in the oceans, damaging ecosystems and breaking down into microplastics, is very well suited for the technology. “If we can get our hands on the highly decomposed PET plastic floating in the world’s oceans, it will be a valuable resource for us as it’s so well suited for upcycling with our method,” Margarita Poderyte says. “We’re not talking about stand-alone issues, nor will the solutions be. Our material can create a very concrete economic incentive to cleanse the oceans of plastic,” Jiwoong Lee says. The research paper is published in Science Advances journal, which describes the chemical process behind the invention. The process is claimed to be gentle compared to existing technologies and, at the same time, well-suited for industrial scaling. https://chem.ku.dk/news/2025/ scientists-transform-plastic-wasteinto-effi cient-co2-capture-materials/ DNC boosters Turnkey all-in-one system • Compact powerhouse with a footprint of only 2.35 m² ‡  ,QLWLDO SUHVVXUH XS WR    EDU ² ÀQDO SUHVVXUH XS WR    EDU  • Plug and play: ready for immediate operation ‡  3UHPLXP HˣFLHQF\\  ,(  PRWRU GHOLYHUV LPSUHVVLYH SHUIRUPDQFH    DQG HQHUJ\\ VDYLQJV • Sigma Control 2 controller:   RSWLPXP HˣFLHQF\\ DQG QHWZRUN FDSDELOLW\\  ,QGXVWULH     www.kaeser.com"},{"@ID":9

"7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 rPlanet Earth shutdown – a wake-up call for US recycling policy, APR states The US Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) published a statement on the recent shutdown of Vernon-based PET recycler rPlanet Earth according to which the closure should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers in California and across the country. The organisation notes that rPlanet Earth represented around 4% of the nation’s rPET capacity, and that its vertically integrated operations supplied key product streams – including thermoform trays and PET bottle material – that are now under pressure. APR points out that, like many U.S. recyclers, rPlanet Earth faced weak demand for its products while competing with a surge of low-cost imported material and cheap, oversupplied vi rgin plast ic. According to the association, these market dynamics are driven by two factors: brands scaling back recycled content commitments in favour of virgin plastic, and brands sourcing imported rPET to meet U.S. recycled content requirements rather than purchasing from domestic recyclers. The association warns that this is pushing U.S. recyclers out of the market at a time when the country urgently needs more – not less – domestic capacity to support a circular economy. The Association of Plastic Recyclers warns that the recent closure reflects the broader chal lenges of plast ics recycling, drawing a comparison to Europe, where multiple plants have already shut down under similar conditions. The group cautions that without stronger policy measures, the U.S. risks facing the same trend, with consequences for jobs, investment, and recycling infrastructure. APR calls on policymakers to take decisive measures, including creating incentives for brands to use domestically sourced recycled content and requiring country-of-origin labelling. The Vernon, California, site of rPlanet Earth covered 300,000 square feet and included SQF-certified, food-grade packaging manufacturing as well as the company’s corporate headquarters. Conceived as the first fully integrated recycling and packaging operation of its kind, it was intended to close the loop for domestic recycling programs and streamline processing. www.plasticsrecycling.org CREATING FUTURE STANDARDS Japan’s leading Aseptic PET Filling System Provider. Our website Our solution high quality reliable technology safe & secure"},{"@ID":13

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 11 EDITOUR Sparkling wine and wine bottles made of PET: almost standard Compared to the innovations mentioned above, stretch blow moulding of champagne and wine bottles is almost standard. The PET bottle impresses with its stable shape and is equipped with barrier blockers to keep CO2 inside and oxygen out. A PET bottle weighs 560 g less than a glass bottle. The CO2 footprint has fallen by more than half to just under 1 kg of CO2 per bottle. In addition, lorries can now make full use of all pallet spaces with filled bottles - previously this was only possible for two thirds of the space due to the high weight of the glass. As many factual advantages as the PET bottle offers, the end consumer has so far been slow to accept it. “So far, the industry has been trying to convince traditional sparkling wine and wine buyers to switch to PET bottles,” says François Desfretier. “I think producers need to appeal to environmentally conscious target groups - with innovative marketing and perhaps also new products such as non-alcoholic variants or mixed drinks.” Innovation also outside the beverage sector It is not only in the beverage segment that PDG is showering the industry with material- and CO2-saving technologies. A new PET ketchup bottle will soon be launched on the market. It is 20% lighter than conventional polyolefin bottles and offers a 40 times better oxygen barrier. As a special highlight: the end consumer can see the product. www.pdg-plastiques.com For large containers, PDG is reducing the material thickness in the base area via MINT-TEC technology."},{"@ID":6

"PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 10/2025 EDITOUR CIRCULAR ECONOMY 10 Saving material on the floor is sustainable 12 Producing your own rPET is sustainable 14 Material savings from neck to base 16 Avient plans for sustainability MATERIALS / RECYCLING 18 Scientists transform plastic waste into efficient CO2 capture materials 20 Glass-like compact - Toly and Eastman introduce a cosmetics compact made from modified PET 21 Performance upgrade via magnesium - Additives for recycled plastics target consistency and quality improvements 22 PET recycling in India: Trends, challenges and opportunities - Technologies for B-to-B resin including chemical recycling & bio- chemical recycling PACKAGING / PALLETISING 26 Banderole instead of shrink film - Reduced engineering effort in PET packaging lines PREFORM PRODUCTION 27 Smart and flexible PET packaging systems - SIPA’s new XFORM 160 preform system & SFL Flex SBM machinery MARKET SURVEY 28 Suppliers of compressors MOULD MAKING 30 Preparation for 2030 PPWR regulation with rPET project - Plastisud develops thin-wall yogurt cup in bottle-grade rPET BOTTLE MAKING 31 Air recovery system supports sustainable process - SIAPI launches ARS 5.0 to halve air consumption in blow moulding EVENT REVIEW 32 drinktec 2025 review 33 Efficiency in plastic processing - Moretto processing solutions for both recycled and virgin materials 34 Compact, connected and automated - Krones launches Ingeniq complete line concept for PET bottling 36 Driving sustainability without compromising performance - Husky features 200 cavity HyPET 6e, PET caps and other new solutions 38 Lighter but stronger packaging via laser heating 40 More efficient material production - Piovan and Thermal Care present new solutions for high quality PET and rPET manufacturing 42 Advances in PET packaging promise lighter bottles and lower costs OUTER PLANET 54 Nordic Co-operation programme - Environment and climate evolving 2025–2030 BUYER’S GUIDE 48 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 44 Bottles for Home + Personal Care 45 Bottles for Beverage + Liquid Food 47 Patents MATERIALS Editour Page 10 Page 36 Page 42"},{"@ID":19

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 17 EDITOUR istry, will require innovation and also opens opportunities to grow with more sustainable solutions.” However, Europe’s recycling capabilities are a concern especially when it comes to the availability of food grade PCR outside of PET. Food grade PCR’s based on polyolefins and polystyrene are not widely available yet and it will mean a big effort for the industry in the next years to reach the mandatory PCR addition rates in 2030. “Complying with EU 2050 net-zero targets would mean switching significant volumes from virgin to recycled or bio-based plastics, which could increase costs and it also requires a transformation of the industry.” R&D to drive better products Adrian Carmichael, R&D Director, led the tour of the PET R&D Centre, which is engaged in several projects covering material efficiency and improved sustainability. “We are working on gas barrier performance, to improve content protection and reduce food spoilage, e.g. with our Avient Amosorb oxygen scavenging portfolio for PET packaging,” he said. Light barrier products include the familiar ColorMatrix Lactra and Ultimate which provide visible and UV light protection. “The aims include using less colour to achieve the desired effect and, in the case of multilayer PET bottles, delivering higher performance with less and making more use of recyclable materials.” Multilayer packaging is often difficult to deal with in the recycling stream, as it is often composed of different polymers and materials. The effort going into this research was evident in a lot of new equipment, including a multilayer PET preform production pilot line, as well as a range of analytical equipment that allows detailed analysis of rPET and new products coming from Avient’s innovation pipeline. This is especially of interest in order to identify nonintentionally added substances (NIAS) that are part of the current recycling streams or might be also created during further processing of PET along with different additives. With the tour concluded, we reconvened for an informal closing discussion and confirmation of technical matters, prior to going our separate ways – Mr Schaefer to Frankfurt, Germany, and our Editor-at-Large to Salisbury, England. www.avient.com abc-compressors.com Mixing vats on the production floor"},{"@ID":8

"PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net Natural Mineral Waters Europe and UNESDA launch DRS Playbook Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) and UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe launch the ‘DRS Playbook: Everything you need to know about developing, financing and operating Deposit Return Schemes’. This guide, commissioned by OLHC Consultants, is designed to support the implementation of effective Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) across Europe. With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recently approved and with more EU Member States in the process of considering, implementing or redesigning DRS, the Playbook is intended to provide a practical, experience-based guide to creating effective collection systems for the environment, consumers and the beverage industry. When designed and implemented well, DRS can significantly improve the quality and quantity of beverage packaging recycling. “There can be no one-size-fits-all for DRS. Every system will need to take into account the country’s specific context. But with this Playbook, we hope to provide the essential ingredients to build effective schemes. By working together and sharing key learnings and best practices, we can build solutions which will deliver circularity for beverage packaging across Europe”, said Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General of NMWE. Drawing on industry knowledge, real-world case studies and policy analysis, the DRS Playbook reflects years of engagement with DRS across Europe. Aligning closely with the PPWR, it provides detailed guidance on: ƒƒHow to design an efficient and consumer-friendly system. ƒƒHow to finance and ensure long-term sustainability. ƒƒHow to operate systems that guarantee high return rates and clean, closed-loop recycling. www.unesda.eu www.naturalmineralwaterseurope.org LNJ GreenPET and Sumitomo Corporation sign MoU for strategic collaboration in rPET sector LNJ GreenPET, a part of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation to establish a strategic collaboration in the rapidly growing rPET sector in India. The agreement outlines a multi-pronged framework for cooperation, encompassing commercial development, raw material procurement, marketing, and potential investment opportunities for the company’s upcoming rPET project in India. As part of the partnership, both companies intend to jointly conduct a comprehensive market study on the rPET landscape in India. The study will include market sizing, customer segmentation, technical assessments, supply chain benchmarking, and regulatory feasibility. These insights will serve as the foundation until LNJ GreenPET begins commercial production in 2026. To support the project during its pre-production phase, Sumitomo Corporation will facilitate interim sourcing of rPET flakes from Southeast Asia and other global regions. Additionally, the two companies will collaborate on pre-marketing activities, customer engagement, and the development of sales channels in both domestic and international markets. LNJ GreenPET, part of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, works in the plastics recycling sector with a focus on producing food-grade rPET. The company applies recycling technologies to support efforts in reducing plastic pollution and advancing circular economy practices in India. www.lnjbhilwara.com www.sumitomocorp.com TOMRA launches new eBook examining AI’s role in material recovery and sorting systems TOMRA Recycling has published its latest eBook, ‘AI in Recycling: Unlocking New Possibilities’. This comprehensive guide explores the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), in revolutionising the global recycling industry and driving material circularity. The free-to-download eBook aims to demystify deep learning, explaining its mechanisms and showcasing its practical applications in overcoming complex sorting challenges, such as enabling the separation of previously hard-to-classify materials through the training of vast datasets. The eBook details how the synergy achieved by combining deep learning with traditional sensors in optical sorters is unlocking new opportunities for the recovery of valuable resources, enhancing material purity and creating new revenue streams. Readers will gain insights into the tangible benefits of DL-based solutions, including enhanced flexibility, the creation of new high-value material streams, superior sorting accuracy, advanced plant automation and optimised processes. Furthermore, it examines the crucial role of AI in meeting the demands of evolving regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Looking ahead, the eBook presents a vision for the future where AI could drive fully transparent and self-optimised recycling plants. www.tomra.com"},{"@ID":51

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 34 Krones launches Ingeniq complete line concept for PET bottling Compact, connected and automated Krones chose drinktec 2025 for the global launch of Ingeniq, a data-based, fully automated line system for filling non-carbonated water into PET containers. Krones says that the system was designed and developed in response to feedback, customer response and market demand and that it couples low total cost of ownership with consistently high efficiency - and that non-carbonated water is only the beginning. The name is derived from a combination of ‘ingenuity’ and ‘IQ’ (intelligence quotient). The Ingeniq system consists of modular and standardised components that leverage robotics and artificial intelligence in a design that reduces the overall complexity of the line layout. It is made up of three components: the line itself, which is technologically advanced, modular and future-ready, according to Krones; digital access through Krones Connect and Secure, which affords digital visibility and remote operation; and Lifecycle Alliance, which is described as an “alliance with the customer” in which Krones assumes responsibility for output and life cycle costs in a modularised service agreement. The line itself The new digital automation architecture makes it possible to connect efficient individual machines within a line network and maximise automation, from in-house preform manufacture and high-speed filling of noncarbonated water on the ErgoBloc L, through to autonomous material supply logistics and sustainable packaging solutions. The Prefero preform system, which is at the heart of the line, is a hybrid machine with an electrical mould movement and features a current best-in-class lock-to-lock time of just 1.9 s with a 400 t load. A new, integrated, energy recovery system is claimed to use up to 20 per cent less energy overall than similar machines. The Prenexo conveyor and buffer system manages material flows between the Prefero injection moulder and the Contiform stretch blow-moulder. Prenexo enables the two machines to be directly bloc-synchronised, thus increasing the level of automation and making the production line more compact, efficient and flexible, Krones says. The ErgoBloc L wet-end bloc achieves outputs of up to 100,000 containers per hour, on a footprint that is up to 70 per cent smaller than that of a conventional line. Stretch blowmoulding, labelling, filling and capping are all faster and less complicated, thanks to AI-driven process optimisation and quality assurance and a direct connection to the autonomous material handling systems. One example of such an application within the Ingeniq line is the fully automatic reloading, preparing and splicing of label reels without any manual intervention on the operator’s part. End-of-line solutions The fully automatic Variopac Pro packer adapts to any packaging needs, whether pads, trays, or wraparound cartons, with or without film or “only” film-wrapped. The machine’s modular construction makes it flexible enough to handle a wide variety of packaging configurations. Depending on the task at hand, Modulpal Pro series robots’ individual modular palletising and depalletising components can be combined as needed: for example, to create high-speed palletising specialists, very gentle handling, highly flexible, or even all three at once. Digital access The key to digitally networking existing machines or complete lines is Ingeniq’s “Connect and Secure” package. With Connect hardware installed, Ingeniq, Krones’ “line concept of the future”"},{"@ID":12

"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 10 Saving material on the floor is sustainable Customer satisfaction is always the top priority for François Desfretier, Managing Director of PDG Plastiques. His customers don’t just come to PDG with standard enquiries - they also approach him with projects that other converters don’t really dare to tackle. PDG has built up a highly specialised machine park for this purpose. In addition to the 20 Netstal systems, there will also be one of the first Otto Systems units for preforms of large-volume containers with 16 cavities, a small 1Blow machine with two cavities for small batches with a new technology for moulding deep recessed grips in the containers. Also in use is a SIPA system for sparkling wine and wine bottles - to name just a few examples. But first things first: Editour Interview with PDG Plastiques // April 8, 2025 We met: François Desfretier, CEO PDG, Philippe Blonda, Business Development Material supply: complexity from the first step This is where the complexity of the process begins. Many preforms and bottles contain different proportions of rPET. This is mixed with new material in a mixing station (see image above) according to the desired proportion and then passed on to the dryer. François Desfretier, CEO of PDG, would like the industry to agree on fixed rPET percentages - for example 25%, 50% and 100% - and for the material to be supplied ready-mixed by the raw material manufacturer. In the long term, he sees chemical recycling as the solution, as it ensures less contamination and guarantees consistently high material quality. State-of-the-art logistics: round the clock versatility of AGVs Five AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) have been handling inhouse logistics since 2024. They move along fixed routes or with the help of modern navigation technologies such as laser scanners or SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping). The AGVs can change their batteries independently and are therefore ready for use around the clock. Weight saving with large containers For the large 20 L containers, PDG is now reducing the material thickness in the base area. The new preform weighs just 372 g instead of the previous 485 g, i.e. almost 25% less. This technology takes material out of the base of the preform. The idea comes from ReduPET and CPS (Creative Packaging Solution): with the help of mint technology, after the preform has left the mould, the injection point is reshaped again in the post-cooling station using a deep-drawing process (see image below). Sponsors to date The classic preform cavity can be clearly seen in the open mould as well as the lighter head area - on the mandrels of the post-cooling - which is formed by minting thermoforming. F.l.t.r.: François Desfretier, CEO PDG, next to Philippe Blonda, Business Development in front of the mixing plant for virgin and rPET material by Alexander Büchler"},{"@ID":55

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 44 PETbottles Home + Personal Care Disc-top for shampoo Under the Sante Naturkosmetik brand, Logocos Naturkosmetik GmbH & Co. KG sells a gentle shampoo specially formulated for curly or wavy hair. The vegan product is free from sulphates and silicones. It contains ceramides and banana extract to gently cleanse, protect and care for the hair and scalp. The bottle contains 250ml and is milky grey in colour. The shampoo is dispensed via a screw-on, opaque disc-top cap. A self-adhesive label explains the product and how to use it. www.sante.de Sustainable glass cleaner German start-up Nordesign, which has set itself the task of improving everyday products in terms of function, sustainability and design, sells, among other things, a glass cleaner in a minimalist, transparent 500ml bottle. The vegan product consists of 99% natural ingredients that are biodegradable. The product, which smells of pine and citrus bliss, contains no colourants or microplastics. In addition to windows, the cleaner is also suitable for mirrors and plastic surfaces. The product is sprayed on using an easy-to-use pump dispenser with a lock function. www.nordesign-store.com Save money with short wash cycles In the detergent sector in particular, a wide variety of efforts are being made to reduce resource and energy consumption. After concentrates and lighter packaging were introduced and the required washing temperatures were lowered, Unilever is now focusing on reducing washing machine cycle times for ‘clean’ laundry with its “Coral” brand and the addition of ‘Magic Wash’. According to the manufacturer, the new product is designed to clean laundry quickly and gently in a short wash cycle of 15 minutes. One capful of 40ml is sufficient for 2kg of laundry in a short wash cycle. The product is packaged in a 840ml transparent PET bottle with form labels on the front and back. The cap, which is also transparent, serves as a measuring cup. www.coral.de Odol now in PET Haleon, the owner of the Odol brand, recently replaced the iconic side-neck bottle used since the brand’s launch in 1892 with a newly designed 125ml plastic bottle. This has a rounded back that is slightly reminiscent of its predecessor, and the product is now dispensed through an upwardfacing opening. In addition, the coloured PET bottle has a flat indentation that can also be interpreted as a nod to the side-neck bottle. A white cap with a tamper-evident band and two self-adhesive labels round off the new packaging design. According to the manufacturer, the advantages of the new bottle include lower weight and no risk of breakage. www.odol-med3.de All-in-1 gel from Frosch When choosing dishwasher detergents, some consumers opt for gel-based products, which are said to offer advantages in terms of dosage, sustainability and handling. This makes it easier to adjust the amount of detergent to the level of soiling. Frosch, the pioneer in eco-friendly laundry and cleaning products, has closed the gap in its range with an All-in-1 dishwasher gel with lime. The product, designed for 40 wash cycles (650ml), is filled into a plastic bottle that is partially flattened on the sides. The product is dispensed into the machine by squeezing the bottle and using the hinged cap with integrated silicone valve. Before first use, a seal must be removed from the bottle opening. www.frosch.de"},{"@ID":57

"PACKAGING / PALLETISING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 26 Reduced engineering eff ort in PET packaging lines Banderole instead of shrink film based on an article by Hans-Joachim Müller, SEW-Eurodrive With its new Propac banderole system, the project Group bundles bottles with reduced material and energy use. Up to 16 axes are coordinated via SEW-Eurodrive’s Movi-C modular automation system, which supports the machine’s modular design and offers advantages in control cabinet design and engineering through preconfigured software modules. Project Automation & Consulting GmbH develops automation solutions for packaging, which are built and distributed by its sister company, Project Service & Produktion GmbH. A core competence is the production of Proband banderole machines, which replace shrink film with banderoles made from plastic or, increasingly, paper-based materials. In the Propac system, bottles are formed into stable multipacks, with an additional applicator adding handles to packs of two, four or six. For several years, the company has been offering banderole machines, initially designed as single-line systems. These first produce twin packs, which are then combined into four- or six-packs in a subsequent step. To achieve high throughput with frequent product changes, the company has now developed a system consisting of multiple banderole units, which attains a higher cycle rate thanks to optimised process technology. The new system, however, required a drive platform capable of coordinating and synchronising up to 16 axes per line. At the same time, the machine concept had to remain modular so that banderole stations could be added or omitted flexibly according to customer requirements. To this end, the plant was realised using SEW-Eurodrive’s latest Movi-C automation system. As a multi-axis solution, Movi-C requires only a single supply unit for up to 32 axes. This also means just one brake resistor, one contactor or one motor protection switch – rather than separate components for each axis as in conventional systems. According to the company, the installation workload is significantly reduced with Movi-C. The controller modules for the individual axes are simply connected to the supply unit via a rail system. This leads to further advantages such as a lower risk of wiring errors and a considerably smaller control cabinet footprint. In addition, braking energy within the multi-axis system can be fed directly into the DC link and reused by another axis, instead of being dissipated as heat in a brake resistor. Electronic cam profile as a standard software module Even more important for Project Automation were the functional advantages of the system, particularly where several gantries must operate in parallel. A gantry is a portal with a gripper: it picks up bottles or primary packs from an infeed conveyor, lifts them, moves them over the banderole station and sets them down. After banderoling, the bottles are not lifted out of the station but are instead quickly lowered by a lifting unit and pushed onto a conveyor by an ejector. All parallel axes are linked to a master axis and synchronised via an electronic cam function within the drive system. Instead of programming the function themselves, Project Automation & Consulting GmbH used SEWEurodrive’s standard Movikit software modules, which are part of the Movi-C automation platform. These cover a wide range of drive functions, from speed control with Movikit Velocity Drive to electronic camming with Movikit MultiMotion Camming, which enables user-defined cam profiles for synchronising complex multi-axis movements. Interfaces to higher-level controllers are also included. www.sew-eurodrive.de The bottles can be collated into multipacks of different sizes using banderoles. (Photo: Project) In this gantry, two twin packs are combined into a four-pack."},{"@ID":3

"No.10 2025 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 PETplanet is read in 162 countries Compressors MARKETsurvey M A G A Z I N E F O R B O T T L E R S A N D B O T T L E - M A K E R S I N T H E A M E R I C A S , A S I A , E U R O P E A N D A L L A R O U N D T H E P L A N E T 13 . 10 . 25 MATERIALS Page 28 EDITOUR Page 18 Page 10"},{"@ID":24

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 22 Technologies for B-to-B resin including chemical recycling & bio-chemical recycling PET recycling in India: Trends, challenges and opportunities by Rajesh Kumar Gera, Packaging & Recycling Consultant The Indian PET recycling industry had a turnover of ~ USD 560 million (~Rs 5K Cr) in 20-21, which had increased to ~USD 900 million (Rs 8 K Cr+) in 24-25. India is proud having one of the highest PET recycling rates with 92% and competing with the best globally. The Indian Recycling industry is consisting of both unorganised and organised recyclers. There are value-added recycled products made from rPET, and the Indian PET recycling industry is projected to grow 15-20% p.a. in the upcoming years. It is estimated that the Indian PET recycling industry will have a turnover of ~ USD 1.1 billion (Rs 10 K crore+) in the next 2-3 years’ time. In addition to the traditional mechanical recycling, there is a growing interest in chemical and bio-chemical (enzymatic) recycling for the ‘difficult to recycle PET packaging’ and other polyester materials like textiles. It is important to first understand the Indian PET industry and how it has grown. The PET resin consumption was 1.10m t/a in ‘20-21 and has been growing on average 12-14% p.a. The Indian PET resin consumption of 1.9m t/a in 24-25 consisted of bottles: 92%, sheet: 4%, strapping/monofilaments: 2% and others: 2%. The different applications are enclosed. Recycling industry in India The PET bottle usage was 1.9 MMT (‘24-25) and recycled PET usage was 1.75 MMT (92%). Today there are 200 plus collectioncum-baling centres in India with an upward trend. There is surely a shift for moving away from the unorganised informal set-up to organised formal recycling setups. It is primarily ‘mechanical recycling’ of PET packs in India. There are 50+ medium-to-large scale manufacturing units using washed flakes of recycled PET. Trends in usage of recycled PET resin in India The use of rPET is allowed by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) for packaging of non-food items in India. The rPET usage has been approved by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for use in the direct food contact end-uses in India. The major FMCG producers (both Food & Beverage and non-Food sectors) have started using rPET, and the initial target is 30% rPET in 25-26. Some of the major brandowners are already using B-to-B PET resin for packaging of water, CSD, liquor & other products in India. The consistent availability of high quality rPET resin is the key. PET is the first material of choice, due to its ease of recyclability and the established PET recycling systems. Challenges One of the major challenges is traceability. One of the key differentiators in recycling ecosystem is the assurance of ‘traceability’. The move is thus towards digitalisation and block-chain/AI driven SCM (Supply Chain management) of rPET bottles. The brand-owners and regulatory bodies are now paying far more attention in this regard, and it will further improve the quality of recycled chips. The other major challenge is the availability of consistent high quality rPET material. It is being addressed by improving different steps in mechanical recycling, including both the sorting & washing processes."},{"@ID":10

"8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net Growing beverage packaging market to hit $221.5 billion by 2032, report finds Global market research company Meticulous Research published a research report titled, ‘Beverage Packaging Market by Material Type (Plastic, Glass, Carton & Paperboard), Packaging Type (Bottles & Jars, Cans, Tetra Packs), Beverage Formulation, Beverage Type (Alcoholic Beverages and Non-alcoholic Beverages), and Geography – Global Forecast to 2032.’ According to this latest publication, the beverage packaging market is expected to reach $221.5 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025-2032. The growth momentum in beverage packaging is primarily propelled by the increasing consumption of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, the study finds, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic variants. These products cater to fast-paced lifestyles favouring convenience, portability, and singleserve formats such as cans, PET bottles, tetra packs, and pouches. The growth of diverse retail channels, rising demand for health-focused beverages, and advances in fill-finish processes are driving demand for customised, efficient packaging, supporting a projected CAGR of 4.9 % through 2032, according to the market research company. Sustainability is driving beverage packaging innovation, with companies shifting from conventional plastics to biodegradable alternatives; recycling and circular economy principles are reshaping design through monomaterials or refillable containers, and wider use of aluminium, paper, and recycled plastics. Regional leaders in the market through 2032 Asia-Pacific stands out as the dominant region in the beverage packaging market over the next decade, expected to capture more than 39% market share in 2025. This dominance is largely due to rapid urbanisation, populat ion growth, and evolving consumer lifestyles that prioritise convenience and premium beverage options. North America and Europe continue to be significant markets, driven by mature retail infrastructures and strong commitments to sustainability regulations. www.meticulousresearch.com Plastics Recyclers Europe warns of recycling plant shutdown The European plastics recycling industry is “facing imminent collapse” due to a surge in cheap imports, shrinking demand for EU-made recyclates, rising economic pressures, and excessive red tape, according to industry organisation Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE). In a recent warning, PRE said that by the end of 2025, Europe is expected to have lost nearly one million tonnes of recycling capacity compared with 2023. Between January and July 2025 alone, almost as much capacity disappeared as during the whole of 2024 – three times the level seen in 2023. The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been among the hardest-hit markets. The organisation described the trend as “proof of the damaging effects of the recession” on the sector, noting that for the first time in years, forecasts point to zero net growth. PRE warned this signals a critical slowdown in Europe’s transition toward a circular economy. To avoid further closures, the group is urging policymakers to act quickly by introducing trade and market defence mechanisms, ensuring consistent extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules across member states, and strictly enforcing certification and penalties for non-compliant materials. PRE also called for cheaper access to clean energy, streamlined permitting procedures, stronger customs controls, and investment incentives to restore competitiveness. According to PRE, without decisive action, Europe risks undoing a decade of environmental progress and jeopardising its climate targets. “The collapse of the European plastics recycling sector would cause irreversible damage to the environmental progress and innovation achieved over the past decade, jeopardising the achievement of the EU’s climate goals and its long-term competitiveness,” states the organisation. www.plasticsrecyclers.eu New IMARC report: Australia’s PET bottle market to reach USD487.8m by 2033 The Australian PET bottle market, valued at USD380 million in 2024, is projected to reach USD487.8 million by 2033, according to a new report from IMARC Group, ‘Australia PET Bottle Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Capacity, Colour, Technology, Distribution Channel, End Use, and Region, 2025-2033’. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 2.8% between 2025 and 2033. The report identifies rising demand for bottled water and functional beverages, supported by health-conscious consumers and tourism, as a major driver of PET bottle consumption. Sustainability is another central theme, with regulatory initiatives such as Australia’s Packaging Covenant and container deposit schemes pushing beverage and FMCG companies toward recyclable and recycled PET. Technological advances in lightweighting, barrier properties and bio-based PET are also contributing to market growth, as are investments in smart packaging features such as QR-coded bottles for traceability and consumer engagement. The study provides forecasts by capacity, colour, technology, distribution channel, and end use, and highlights regional trends across the country. www.imarcgroup.com"},{"@ID":29

"PREFORM PRODUCTION PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 27 SIPA’s new XFORM 160 preform system & SFL Flex SBM machinery Smart and flexible PET packaging systems At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, SIPA is using the stage to demonstrate two new PET packaging systems. The company debuts the XFORM 160 preform production system and the new SFL Flex stretch-blow moulding machine for complex bottle designs. XFORM 160: Smart and scalable preform production Expanding its renowned XFORM preform production range, SIPA introduces the XFORM 160. A compact, yet powerful system designed specifically for the mid-to-low productivity segment. This machine was designed for low to medium volume bottlers, specialist converters, and new market entrants who require performance without high complexity. Key to the XFORM 160’s appeal is its design for a dynamic market. Featuring plug-and-play installation and a compact layout, it’s suitable for companies looking to start small and expand their capacity over time. The machine is equipped to handle up to 60 cavities and delivering a production output of up to 28,000 pph. The XFORM 160 utilises a continuous rotation screw with productivity up to 550kg/h and is ready to run up to 100% rPET. Furthermore, its compatibility with third-party tools allows for the efficient use of existing resources, providing manufacturers with both performance and significant value. SFL Flex: Mastering complex personal care bottles For those focused on the demanding world of containers, especially in the personal care sector, SIPA is showcasing the SFL Flex. This machine is a compact solution for highly challenging and asymmetrical bottles, such as those used for premium shampoos, body washes, and lotions. SIPA says that the SFL Flex ensures precise cap-to-bottle matching and meets the highest design standards, even on small batch runs. At the K show, the SFL Flex will be producing the stylish “Aktiva” body wash bottle live. This container is a perfect example of the machine’s precision, featuring a particularly challenging closure alignment that highlights its adaptability and quality. (picture above) Available in 1- or 2-cavity formats with an output up to 4,000bph, the SFL Flex is built for maximum flexibility. Its compact footprint (8m2) and rapid mould changeovers (10min) make it fit for laboratories, pilot plants, and boutique product lines. With the ability to produce containers up to 3L and being compatible with PET, rPET, and other polymers, the SFL Flex is able to deliver top-tier packaging performance for even the most demanding bottle geometries. With the XFORM 160 and the SFL Flex SIPA’ provides a comprehensive and scalable manufacturing range for the global packaging industry. www.sipasolutions.com SIPA Hall 13 Booth B15"},{"@ID":1

"No.10 2025 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 PETplanet is read in 162 countries Compressors MARKETsurvey M A G A Z I N E F O R B O T T L E R S A N D B O T T L E - M A K E R S I N T H E A M E R I C A S , A S I A , E U R O P E A N D A L L A R O U N D T H E P L A N E T 13 . 10 . 25 MATERIALS Page 28 EDITOUR Page 18 Page 10"},{"@ID":35

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 33 Moretto processing solutions for both recycled and virgin materials Efficiency in plastic processing Moretto used drinktec 2025 to showcase its range of machinery that is designed to enable PET manufacturers to process both fully virgin materials and supplies with a high percentage of recyclate. Its latest equipment also enhances traceability, the company says. Moretto says that its MPK Crystallizer, Hyper Cut grinder, XD 800 X series dryer and DGM Maxi Gravix series of gravimetric batch blenders have been developed to satisfy the growing demand for automated solutions that are capable of processing mixed raw materials, both virgin and recycled. The MPK Crystallizer system is designed to convert amorphous materials, such as PET regrind, into a crystallised state, ready for treatment. It is designed to produce rPET that meets the quality standards required for use alongside virgin plastic polymers in a number of production processes. Moretto claims that MPK is very user-friendly, across all functions. Its cone opening makes cleaning and production changes safe and fast. Maintenance is facilitated by removable blades, which can be adjusted according to material type. The patented, shockproof, stainless steel hopper finishing (SPYRO) isolates the mixer body from external agents and reduces heat loss, thus increasing its energy efficiency. The whole system can be managed through an advanced 10” colour touch screen. MPK can be equipped with Moretto’s Vortex filtration device, which captures dust up to 20 microns and increases the autonomy of the filter inside the dryer body. Its Purex condensate separator captures and removes post-process oily and/or resinous vapours, which are typically present in post-consumer materials. Hyper Cut, a high productivity grinder with a capacity of up to 1,200 kg/h, is specifically designed for grinding waste pieces, preforms and blown parts, for subsequent injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, and thermoforming. Moretto says that its flexible rotor design allows the cutting elements to be set to process any type of waste pieces and to deliver high levels of productivity, regrind quality and reduced noise. The company also claims that it completely eliminates dust. The XD 800 X series dryer is aimed at large-scale production operations. Its technology automatically adapts to production needs and ensures the correct supply of air to the material to be treated, preserving the polymer from thermal stress and viscosity variations. Its turbo compressor system, in combination with the energy recovery system from the regeneration process, is claimed to offer high levels of energy efficiency. It does not require compressed air or cooling water to operate. Configuration and control are managed by a touch view control with a simple, intuitive interface. Program settings require only two parameters: material type and throughput. The machine then manages all process variables itself. The correct balance between speed and precision in component mixing is essential to ensure an optimal result, from both a technical and aesthetic point of view, while simultaneously minimising production waste. Moretto says that its DGM Maxi Gravix series of gravimetric batch blenders have been designed to offer highly flexible, modular solutions for larger throughput applications for production up to 12,000 kg/h, within a single machine that can treat up to 12 components. Exclusive to the DGM Gravix are its dosing lids, which ensure a high dosing standard and a fast reaction time, of only 40ms. The double-effect mixer guarantees a homogeneous mix. Visitors to the Moretto stand at drinktec 2025 were able to witness in action a 900 series model, which is specifically designed for processing flakes and chips. www.moretto.com XD 800 X touch control MPK Crystallizer DGM Maxi Gravix"},{"@ID":22

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 20 Toly and Eastman introduce a cosmetics compact made from modifi ed PET Glass-like compact Toly and Eastman have developed Gemini, a cosmetics compact produced with a new co-polyester from Eastman. The material combines recycled content with compatibility in existing PET recycling streams, offering a sustainable option for thick-wall compact packaging. Gemini is the first compact to be manufactured with the co-polyester Cristal One Renew IM812. The resin is claimed to provide the transparency and gloss required for premium designs while incorporating certified recycled content through molecular recycling. According to Toly, the use of Eastman’s new material enables brands to meet increasingly strict sustainability requirements while maintaining the aesthetics and tactile qualities expected in the cosmetics sector. Olaf Zahra, chief technical and sustainability officer at Toly, described the project as part of a broader effort to reconcile design and environmental responsibility. “Our partnership with Eastman on the Gemini compact represents a shared vision for the future of beauty packaging, one that balances luxury with responsibility,” he said. “By utilising Cristal One Renew IM812, we are able to offer our clients packaging solutions that empower brands to meet stringent sustainability goals while delivering the high-end aesthetics and tactile experience consumers expect.” Cristal One Renew IM812 has been developed to offer glass-like clarity for thick-wall PET cases, allowing for transparent and glossy surfaces without the need for alternative plastics. The resin can contain up to 100 per cent certified recycled content, allocated through the ISCC mass balance system, and is claimed to be fully compatible with established PET recycling streams. Certifications from EPBP, APR and RecyClass confirm its recyclability within existing infrastructures. For Eastman, the collaboration with Toly represents the first application of Cristal One Renew IM812 in compact packaging. Tara Cary, global cosmetics market manager at Eastman, said the development illustrates how materials innovation can support regulatory preparedness in the industry. “This innovative solution ensures that packaging not only meets today’s standards but is also ready for the legislative demands of tomorrow,” she noted. The Gemini compact was presented by Toly and Eastman at the Luxe Pack Monaco trade show. www.toly.com www.eastman.com MATERIALS"},{"@ID":25

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 23 Applications The different end-uses of rPET in India include fibre fill, non-woven, POY, PSF, monofilament, bottles for food and non-food applications, sheets, strap, injection moulding, masterbatches, among others. It has more applications in non-bottle enduses, especially the fibre industry. The polyester fibre is used as a filling material for cushions, pillows and converted to fabrics for use in clothing, upholstery. These products include T-shirts, caps, jackets, scarfs, carry bags etc. Just for instance, the Indian cricket team’s apparel is made from recycled PET bottles. Some of the other applications in India are for nonwoven (for automobile, carpets, boot liner, headliner), synthetic leather, fibre filling, spun yarn and textiles. It is encouraging to note that companies like Adidas, Nike and many others make athletic merchandise from recycled polyester in India. This makes their brand ‘greener’ (circular) and it helps command a premium over their regular products. In the non-bottle area, rPET sheet usages include blister packaging of toothbrushes, battery cells, toiletries etc. both for the domestic as well as for the export markets by major brand-owners. It has been enabled by collaboration between all the stake holders including the major Indian PET raw material manufacturers, sheet suppliers, thermoformers/FFS (Form Fill Seal) companies along with the brand-owners and machinery suppliers. Machinery As the quality of recycled chips depends on all process steps, there is a clear shift in the Indian mindset towards high-end recycling machines for new recycling projects in India, to get further improved quality of recycled PET chips. Technical alliances both at the Indian and global level for recycling machinery are in the offing, and many machines are being made in India through foreign collaboration. Ishitva Robotic Systems Pvt. Ltd. have made some significant inroads in sorting machines for handling the mixed plastic waste including PET. Promotion There has been quite a spurt in installation of reverse vending machines (RVM) in the last one decade due to the concerted efforts of machinery suppliers and PET resin manufacturers. There are 1,000+ RVM machines installed all over India. The objective has been to sensitise both the public and decision makers on the need for recycling and to create awareness among decision makers about the vast recycling ecosystem existing for PET recycling in India. Regulations In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) frames standards for different packaging materials and enduses including recycled resins. For e.g., IS 14534: 2023 covers guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastic waste and IS 14535: 1998 is the BIS for using recycled plastics for the manufacturing of different products focusing on non-food sectors. The use of rPET in food and beverages end-uses was not allowed till recently in India. FSSAI had come out with “draft food safety and standards packaging (amendment) regulations” for use of recycled plastics in 2022 as food contact materials based on PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) rules 2021. They have now come out with guidelines for acceptance of “recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as food contact material (FCM rPET)”. The scope of this guideline pertains only to the recycling process and operation of transforming post-consumer PET used for food applications into rPET as food contact material (FCM rPET) resins suitable for making food contact materials. It covers the acceptance criteria for using (FCM rPET) resin in food contact materials. It applies only to the recycling technology approved by FSSAI. It does not apply to production of resins for nonfood grade consumer applications. Thus, approved guidelines and acceptance criteria for use of recycled post-consumer PET for the food contact applications are also being made effective for implementation. The draft amendment regulations are in process of approval by BIS and its notification soon. The India’s regulatory landscape is evolving to support technologies for production of food contact grade rPET resins. Under the amended Plastic Waste Management rules, producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) are mandated to include a minimum percentage of recycled plastic content in their packaging. For rigid plastic packaging, which includes PET bottles and containers, recycled content requirement is 30% for FY 2025–26 and increasing up to 60% by 2028–29. This regulatory push aligns with the capabilities of different technologies and creates a robust market demand for high-quality recycled PET for foodgrade applications. B-to-B PET resin in India There are increasing demands on the quality of rPET recyclate. Brand owners have specific requirements for AA, benzene, and BPA contents, and there are guidelines regarding material, source, and collection systems. The capacity of recycling lines varies from 2 to 8 TPH, and the delta IV increase achieved in SSP ranges from 0.16 to 0.22 dl/g. There are a couple of manufacturers of B-to-B PET resin on a pan-India basis and many more new lines are getting commissioned in ’25 and beyond for the rPET resin suitable for direct food-contact packaging. There is a limited availability of food grade rPET resin and there is a premium for the B-to-B PET resin vs. the virgin PET resin made by the fossil route. The total installed capacity of B-to-B PET resin is expected to reach 1.1m MT by 2030, with an estimated investment of USD 840 million (over Rs 7,500 crore) in recycling systems to produce B-to-B PET resin in India. Technologies for rPET for food-contact packaging (B-to-B resin): 1) Mechanical recycling (super-clean process) 2) Melt-in recycling 3) Paste-in recycling 4) Chemical recycling 5) Bio-chemical recycling (enzymatic recycling) Mechanical recycling (superclean process) The mechanical recycling process for rPET for non-bottle uses involves sorting and washing. In B-to-B resin production, flakes further go through"},{"@ID":18

"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 16 Avient plans for sustainability Our Editor-at-Large, Ruari McCallion, visited Avient’s facility in Knowsley, Liverpool, England, where he met with Marco Schaefer, Senior Marketing Manager; Adam Parsons, Site Manager; and Adrian Carmichael, R&D Director, and had a tour of the site. Editour Interview with Avient // June 11, 2025 We met: Marco Schaefer, Senior Marketing Manager; Adam Parsons, Site Manager; and Adrian Carmichael, R&D Director Avient Corporation, based in Avon Lake, Ohio, USA, operates over 100 production sites across 35 countries and employs approximately 9,400 people. The company provides advanced material solutions to a wide range of industries, including packaging, healthcare, transportation, construction, consumer goods, and telecommunications. One of Avient’s key facilities is located in Knowsley, near Liverpool, England. This site serves as the company’s primary production hub for colour and additive solutions tailored to the PET bottle industry and also houses Avient’s global R&D centre for PET packaging. The facility spans four buildings within an industrial estate, strategically positioned near major transport routes and Liverpool docks. “Avient has over 35,000 solutions in its portfolio, due to a high number of custom colour formulations but it also includes a wide variety of additives for various industries. These products could be based on a liquid or a solid carrier system. Plastic packaging is one of the most important markets for us,” said Marco Schaefer, Senior Marketing Manager. As a supplier to the packaging industry, Avient is also an enabler of recycling and circularity “Avient’s solutions aim to contribute to sustainability through lightweighting, reducing energy consumption and cutting VOCs (volatile organic compounds). We offer solutions for virgin plastics as well as post-consumer recyclate (PCR).” State of the art production facility for liquid masterbatches Adam Parsons, Site Manager, took the lead for a tour of the production lines. “The mixing process is a lot like making a cake. You have your wet ingredients and your dry ingredients and the trick is to blend them properly,” Adam Parsons said. “Maintaining a vortex during mixing is very important. We fill units in volumes from 15 to 1,100 kilograms.” “The base production line handles small batch production, of up to 250 kilos. Small batches are mixed in a way quite like a paint mixing machine,” he said. Inspection is ongoing. “Any deviation from customer specifications is fixed, in-house, before despatch to customers. We retain small samples for three years.” Filled drums are handled by machinery designed to reduce the need for manual handling, which pretty much eliminates strain-related workplace injuries. Sustainability After the tour of the production floor, the group reconvened in the conference room and covered Avient’s drive to deliver sustainability. Avient is rated with a Silver Medal by EcoVadis, a score that puts it in the top 15% of companies, and has a CDP Climate Score of A minus. Its annual Sustainability Report, which runs to 67 pages and reports via the GRI, TCFD and SASB frameworks, goes into detail about the action it is taking across all its operations. “We are committed to reduce our greenhouse gases (GHG) by 55% by 2030; and we reached a 52% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024 already,” said Mr Schaefer. “We are permanently working on internal sustainability projects, focused on waste reduction and energy efficiency and include energy-efficient motors, air compressors, forklifts and lighting.” On-site solar power and/or wind installations; purchasing sustainable energy; and investing in virtual power agreements have increased renewable electricity levels to over 50%. It is committed to reduce waste to landfill by three per cent a year, which may not sound much but is a tough target, as Avient doesn’t send much to landfill in the first place. Its efforts extend to the supply chain, also. “We assess our suppliers using the EcoVadis platform. Our goal is to assess 90% of our suppliers by 2030; we reached 75% in 2024,” he continued. Avient recovers heat from its closed-loop water cooling for reuse used in building heating. New extrusion lines are equipped with nextgeneration motors and heating lines optimised to reduce energy use. Manufacturing software dynamically measures process data, which is used to improve efficiencies. Avient is also an active member of PETCORE, RecyClass, and APR and is driving circularity by improving the mechanical recycling process through additive and colour innovation. Regulatory challenges “EU regulations impose an extra burden on companies doing business in Europe but, if the rules are applied equally to companies producing in Europe and those importing into Europe, it would create a level playing field,” Mr Schaefer said. “Stricter regulations, such as PPWR, including limitations on using non-PFAS chem- Sponsors to date by Ruari McCallion"},{"@ID":43

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 41 real-time VOC monitoring. Consistent process performance and precise moisture control throughout every cycle are achieved with an integrated dew point stabiliser; maximum uptime and sustained system performance are enabled by SmartForesight predictive maintenance. The company emphasises that manufacturing operations can see a substantial cut in changeover times, leading to productivity gains and fast ROI. The system’s modular design enables seamless integration into existing production lines, whether installed on mezzanines or integrated into complete processing bays. Advanced PLC control architecture ensures compatibility with auxiliary equipment while providing comprehensive process consistency and traceability. Thermal Care and Piovan say that, by enhancing energy efficiency, improving product quality and reducing operational costs, these technologies offer a clear path forward for manufacturers seeking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. www.piovan.com AryaDew"},{"@ID":4

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 40 Piovan and Thermal Care present new solutions for high quality PET and rPET manufacturing More efficient material production Thermal Care and Piovan introduced at drinktec a number of new technologies that are intended to enhance energy efficiency, improve product quality, and reduce operational costs. AryaDew dehumidification solution Thermal Care’s AryaDew closedloop cooling cycle technology is claimed to deliver up to 70% energy savings, compared to conventional solutions, and to ensure constant dew point control and to deliver optimal production environments. The company says that ROI (return on investment - payback period) in under two years make what it asserts is a compelling business case and delivers users an immediate competitive advantage. It is designed for PET preform production, high-speed injection moulding, blow moulding, and injection blow moulding. The system prevents mould condensation while optimising production cycles. Smart Adaptive Fans (SAF) technology maintains performance through variable-speed, high-pressure ventilation, while Industry 4.0 compatibility enables seamless integration into existing production systems without water pre-cooling requirements. Simplified installation is claimed to reduce operational costs, while minimal maintenance helps to maximise uptime. In-line VOC monitoring for rPET and recycled resin processing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in rPET and recycled materials create operational problems that traditional monitoring systems often fail to detect in real-time. Piovan’s VOC Minder inline monitoring technology has been specifically designed for industrial resin treatment processes. Its high-resolution detection capabilities provide reliable quality control, comprehensive equipment protection and systematic process optimisation. Piovan says that its patented technology ensures VOC level monitoring in real time, thus allowing operators to make informed decisions that can help to reduce maintenance costs while improving final product conformity. GN³ PET/rPET drying technology Piovan took the opportunity to use drinktec as the platform for the global launch of GN³, a PET and rPET drying technology that uses threestage temperature progression and air management technology. The hopper configuration operates at progressive temperatures, delivering gentle yet deeply effective heat energy transfer to the pellet core, the company says, and goes on to assert that this approach preserves optimal material integrity while maximising moisture removal, delivering high performance even with high-moisture materials and in challenging tropical climates. GN³ offers complete drying cycles in five hours while maintaining high quality standards, says Piovan. Resin changeovers can be completed within 2.5 h, which is a 68% improvement over conventional 8 h procedures. In the case of recycled PET processing, where maintaining premium material integrity is critical, GN³ has demonstrated excellent final product performance, according to the company. Key features of GN³ include fast changeovers and optimised production scheduling through Production Lots Fast Changeover Scheduling Software, an advanced batch management system. It offers reduced energy consumption while maintaining high air flow thanks to high-efficiency blowers and assured product quality and regulatory compliance through Piovan Group Hall 10 Booth C20"},{"@ID":11

"9 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net"},{"@ID":56

"OUTER PLANET 54 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net OUTER PLANET Environment and climate evolving 2025–2030 Nordic Co-operation programme The co-operation programme builds on the mission of the Nordic Council of Ministers to realise the vision of a Nordic Region that is the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The Co-operation Programme for 2025–2030 is also guided by what the UN has referred to as the triple crisis. By focusing on climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, plus focusing on circular economy, the programme seeks to strengthen Nordic co-operation in areas where the region can achieve the greatest benefits. The Co-operation Programme for 2025–2030 highlights both the challenges and the opportunities that can help address them. To facilitate a shift towards greater sustainability in the Nordics, the study: “LCA on reuse of packaging in the Nordics - A case of comparing reusable alternatives to current disposable packaging” provides an in-depth analysis of the environmental impacts associated with different types of packaging. Emphasis is placed on reusable packaging, investigating its lifecycle impacts from production to disposal and contrasting it with conventional, single-use packaging. Results comparative LCA – takeaway containers The study presents a comprehensive comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of takeaway packaging options. The results of the study established that in terms of environmental impacts, reusable containers are generally less impactful than single-use containers across 11 out of 13 impact categories. Raw materials and manufacturing stages were key contributors to the environmental impacts of single-use packaging. For reusable containers, the impacts were more evenly distributed across life cycle stages, from raw material acquisition to the manufacture and use phase. Results from sensitivity analysis tests also supported the base case - reusable containers consistently showed a lower environmental impact than single-use options in most tested categories. Factors like container weight, consumer behaviour (such as avoiding pre-washing during the use phase or avoiding energy-intensive transportation methods), and various end-of-life modelling parameters all demonstrated the relative environmental advantage of reusable containers. Tests of different parameters influenced by consumer behaviour revealed that reuse rates are crucial for reusable containers; reaching the environmentally preferred break-even point requires a minimum of six uses. However, for the environmental benefits of the reusable containers in all impact categories, 14 repeated uses are necessary. Furthermore, environmental impact can be minimised by choosing low/no emission transportation methods and avoiding unnecessary cleaning. The study highlights the significance of the number of reuses in a reusable container system to reach the potential environmental benefits. Thus, for successful implementation, strategic design and planning of the reusable container system are vital. Guidelines and incentives should be established to influence consumer behaviour positively. Encouragement to adopt behaviours like swift container return and avoiding redundant washing can improve the relative benefit of reusable systems. This approach could ultimately lead to the optimal use of the system and bring about its environmental benefits. In conclusion, this study affirms the environmental preference for reusable takeaway containers in Nordic countries – demonstrating high robustness. From this study, a number of conclusions and recommendations have emerged supporting transitioning from single-use to reusable packaging. In designing reusable packaging, factors such as durability, low weight, recyclability, and use of recycled materials are essential to consider. Also, establishing efficient reuse systems and incentivising consumers to choose reusable packaging and return the packaging, is crucial. Looking towards a European setting for the upstream stages, it became clear that local supply chains and less energy-intensive transportation can also play a role in reducing environmental impacts. Lastly, the study highlighted the importance of proper waste segregation and treatment at the end of a product’s life, supporting a more circular economy. In conclusion, it’s evident that these factors make it a complex equation to achieve the lowest environmental impact. Yet, this study affirms the potential and value of embracing reusable packaging in Nordic countries with the correct set-up and incentives, leading to a more sustainable future. Have a look at the whole study: wwww.norden.org/en/publication/ lca-reuse-packaging-nordics www.pub.norden.org/ politiknord2024-725/index.html"},{"@ID":58

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 18 Scientists transform plastic waste into efficient CO2 capture materials The researcher team at the University of Copenhagen has developed a method in which decomposed PET plastic becomes the main ingredient in efficient and sustainable CO2 capture. It turns “one man’s trash into another man’s treasure”, they say, and go on to claim that their solution simultaneously addresses two of the world’s biggest challenges – plastic pollution and the climate crisis. These key global problems are often interconnected and, typically, the solution to one problem creates another one while the clock keeps ticking. PET plastic is one of the most widely used types of plastic in the world but, when it has served its purpose, it becomes a pressing global environmental issue. In many parts of the world it ends up in landfills, where it breaks down into polluting microplastics that spread to the air, soil and groundwater and a large proportion also end up in the oceans. “By turning waste into a raw material that can actively reduce greenhouse gases, we make an environmental issue part of the solution to the climate crisis,” says Margarita Poderyte from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, lead author of the research paper disclosing the invention. The solution is a potential winwin on a global scale, where plastic waste not only does not end up in nature but also becomes an active player in climate mitigation. BAETA: development and deployment The new chemical technology enables PET plastic waste to be transformed into a primary resource, a new form of CO2 sorbent they have developed. The process ‘upcycles’ the waste to a new material named BAETA, which can absorb CO2 out of the atmosphere so efficiently that it easily compares with existing carbon capture technologies. Over 60 per cent of PET (by weight) is carbon, which has an inherent chemical and physical ability to maintain the structure. This ability is enhanced by transforming the plastic by adding a quantity of ethylenediamine, a compound known for its ability to bind CO2. The newly-developed Copenhagen University process breaks down the plastic from polymer to a monomer, giving the material, which the team has named BAETA, a chemical composition that is claimed to be effective in pulling CO2 out of the air and binding it. The BAETA material has a powdery structure that can be pelletised, and a chemically ‘upgraded’ surface, which enables it to effectively bind and chemically capture CO2. Once saturated, CO2 can be released through a heating process allowing the CO2 to be concentrated, collected and stored or converted into a sustainable resource. Sustainable, flexible and scalable In industrial plants, exhaust gases can be transmitted through BAETA units, which will cleanse them of CO2. When the BAETA material is saturated, its efficiency decreases; however, CO2 can be released from the plastic through a heating process, restoring its efficiency. MATERIALS Fig. 1: Margarita Poderyte Margarita Poderyte, lead author of the research paper (photo: Max Emil Madsen)"},{"@ID":5

"imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Hubweg 15 74939 Zuzenhausen, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 [email protected] EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Miriam Trotter Anthony Withers Editorial & WikiPETia. info [email protected] MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann [email protected] Johann Lange-Brock [email protected] phone: +49 6221-65108-0 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur Matthias Gaumann www.exprim.de READER SERVICES [email protected] PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | www.petpla.net PETplanet Insider ISSN 1438-9459 is published 10 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (1-year subscription 149 EUR, 2-year subscription 289 EUR, Young professionals’ subscription 99 EUR. Magazines will be dispatched to you by airmail). Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. Note: The fact that product names may not be identified as trademarks is not an indication that such names are not registered trademarks. 3 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net Drinktec has regained its position as the leading trade fair for the beverage industry. After a rather weak start following Covid in 2022, around 10% more exhibitors showed visitors their innovations. The number of visitors rose by 20% to just under 60,000. The raw material situation in the PET market was a key topic. The high price of recycled PET (rPET) compared to virgin PET is causing considerable uncertainty. Many bottlers now only use the prescribed minimum amount of rPET, as a voluntarily higher proportion make little commercial sense. It has also been reported that rPET plants have already been partially shut down. This development is seen as a backward step for the circular economy and raises questions about investment security in the recycling sector. The trade disputes and high tariffs imposed by the USA are also weighing on the industry. In particular, the punitive tariffs under the Trump administration are leading to noticeable uncertainty and a shift in the markets, as international supply chains and sales markets are losing stability. China appears to be benefiting from the uncertainty. This applies both to Chinese suppliers of machinery and systems, who are looking for replacement markets for the USA, and to Western system manufacturers, who see great potential in China. On our 2026 Editour through China, we will take a look at the market on site. Yours, Alexander Büchler Dear readers, Snapshots from drinktec 2025 - the PETplanet booth in action"},{"@ID":30

"MARKET SURVEY 28 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 10/2025 MARKETsurvey Compressors Producing PET bottles requires vast amounts of compressed air – and compressors deliver it under extreme conditions of pressure, heat and constant operation. The success of every blowing process depends on their ability to supply a clean, stable flow of air at precisely the right pressure. In this market survey, we feature leading compressor manufacturers and their product ranges: AF Compressors, Siad Macchine Impianti, ABC Compressors, Kaeser Kompressoren, Atlas Copco and Adekom Asia Pacific Limited. Although the publishers have made every eff ort to ensure that the information in this survey are up to date, no claims are made regarding completeness or accuracy.  Resins & additives  Cap manufacturer & cap inspection  Cap systems & cap moulds  Preform production & inspection  Preform systems & moulds  Two stage SBM machinery  Filling equipment  Compressors  Shrinkfilm & palletising machinery  Recycling machinery Company name AF Compressors, Ateliers François S.A. Siad Macchine Impianti ABC Compressors Kaeser Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number E-Mail Ateliers François, Rue Côte d'Or 274, Liège 4000, Belgium +32 4 229 70 10 www.afcompressors.com Mr Pascal Heyden Marketing Manager +352 26 95 66 28 [email protected] Via Canovine, 2/4 24126 Bergamo, Italy +39 035 327611 www.siadmi.com Mr Matteo Piazzalunga Food & Beverage Key Account and Marketing Manager +39 3290139212 [email protected] Azitaingo Industrialdea, 6, 20600 Eibar, Gipuzkoa, Spain +34 943 820 400 www.abc-compressors.com Carl-Kaeser-Str. 26, 96450 Coburg, Germany +49 9561 640-0 www.kaeser.com Mr Henry Beyer Product Manager +49 9561 640-5017 [email protected] 1. Machine designation / model number CE & L (high pressure) OPC (low pressure) BS Line Vito Next Horizon Synchro | Horizon Synchro LP | X-PET Sigma PETAir 2. Number of models in range 30 (high pressure), 22 (low pressure) 19 32 30+ models 25 3. Output in m³/hour 150 - 3,300 (high pressure); 432 - 3,480 (low pressure) 1,000 - 6,000 100 - 6,000 200 - 6,600 336 - 2,772 4. Compressor type High pressure blowing air (up to 40bar) Oil-free reciprocating piston compressor \"all-in-one\" skid Low pressure air 7-10bar, possibilities from 3-15bar (2 stages) Low pressure screw Low pressure oil-free piston compressor Screw type High pressure blowing air (up to 40 bar) 20-40bar, possibilities down to 15bar (3 stages) High pressure piston (booster) Piston High pressure oil-free piston compressor (atmospheric up to 40bar) Piston type Integrated system All in one system, high & low pressure simultaneously Atmospheric compressor including VSD with largest regulation range from 18% to 100% of the capacity 5. Lubricated or oil-free Oil-free 100% oil-free compressor class 0 Low pressure compressor Oil-free 6-15bar Oil-free 100% oil-free compressor class 0 Lubricated Booster compressor Oil-free 0-40bar Oil-free Not needed, it's atmospheric HP compressor Lubricated Integrated system Yes Yes Atmospheric 100% oil-free compressor class 0 6. Machine layout L shape V V and H (horizontal) Horizontal opposed cylinders, forces balanced and virtually no vibrations V (2 cylinder), W (3 cylinder) 7. Number of compressor stages 3 stages, 3 cylinders for HP 2 stages, 2 cylinders for LP 2 screw + 2 booster = 4 total 3 2 for LP and 3-4 for HP 1+1 8. Are special foundations required? No No No No, virtually no vibrations No 9. Cooling system Evaporative or radiator system Water Water Water cooled (closed cooling tower or aerocooler) Air (water option) 10. Belt or direct drive V-belt transmission Belt drive Direct drive Low pressure compressor V-belt transmission Direct drive Direct drive Direct Booster compressor 0-40bar, V-belt transmission Belt drive Not needed, atmoshperic HP direct drive Belt Integrated system Direct drive"},{"@ID":53

"MARKET SURVEY 29 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net Company name Atlas Copco Adekom (Asia Pacific) Limited Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number E-Mail Boomsesteenweg 957, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium www.atlascopco.com Mr Kris Vermeulen Global Product Manager PET +32 3 870 2111 [email protected] Suite 2311, 23/F., BEATower Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Rd, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong +852 2177 0757 www.adekom.com.hk Mr Raymond Chan Director, Global Business Devel. +852 977 80 500 [email protected] 1. Machine designation / model number ZP, ZP VSD ZD FF, ZD VSD FF ZD Xtend ZD Flex ZGH - booster KSP-OF8/40PM (Screw+Piston tandem oil-free high pressure compressor 2. Number of models in range 3 18 56 2,500 5 11 standard models 3. Output in m³/hour 170 - 835 902 - 4,195 500 - 7,500 400 - 10,000 1,000 - 3,600 360 - 1-800 4. Compressor type 55 - 132 820 - 4,100 90 - 900 / 85 - 315 55 - 2,500 / 55 - 315 100 - 200 VSD+ Skid mounted screw+piston booster tandem design Low pressure air Separate unit needed, full range available Separate unit needed, full range available Included; fi xed 10bar Included; to choose 6-10bar Included; To choose: 6-10bar Oil-free screw compressor High pressure blowing air (up to 40 bar) 3-stage piston 2-stage screw + adsorption dryer + 2-stage piston 2-stage screw + adsorption dryer + 2-stage piston 2-stage screw or 3-stage turbo + adsorption dryer + 1- or 2-stage piston Up to 30bar with 3-stage screw technology Oil-free piston booster Integrated system Fixed speed & VSD range, both in pack or full feature Fixed speed & VSD range Fixed speed & VSD range Fixed speed & VSD range VSD+ range with IE5 PM-drive Yes, complete package in one skid with centralised control 5. Lubricated or oil-free Oil-free Oil-free, Class 0 Oil-free, Class 0 Oil free, Class 0 Oil free, Class 0 Low pressure compressor Piston 2-stage screw + adsorption dryer 2-stage screw + adsorption dryer 2-stage screw or 3-stage turbo + adsorption dryer 2-stage screw or 3-stage turbo + adsorption dryer Oil-free Booster compressor Piston 2-stage piston 2-stage piston 1- or 2-stage piston 1-stage high pressure screw Oil-free Integrated system Air cooled Adiabatic water cooling available Adiabatic water cooling available Adiabatic water cooling available Adiabatic water cooling available Yes, complete package in one skid with centralised control 6. Machine layout Balance opposite piston Oil-free screw balance opposite piston Oil-free screw balance opposite piston Oil-free screw or Centrifugal Balance opposite piston Oil -free screw See below 7. Number of compressor stages 3 4 4 3 or 4 or 5 3 or 4 1+2, fi rst stage: oil-free screw compressor block + second stage oil-free piston booster (complete package in one skid 8. Are special foundations required? Industrial fl oor, no need for thick concrete or anchoring Industrial fl oor, no need for thick concrete or anchoring Industrial fl oor, no need for thick concrete or anchoring Industrial fl oor, no need for thick concrete or anchoring Industrial fl oor, no need for thick concrete, no need for anchoring No, just simple level ground 9. Cooling system Not needed (integrated) Seperate water system: Dry fan, adiabatic or evaportive type Seperate water system: Dry fan, adiabatic or evaportive type Seperate water system: Dry fan, adiabatic or evaportive type Seperate water system: Dry fan, adiabatic or evaportive type Water cooled as standard, air cooled as option 10. Belt or direct drive Low pressure compressor Belt Gearbox Gearbox Gearbox, direct drive Gearbox, direct drive Direct drive Booster compressor Belt Belt Belt Belt Gearbox, direct drive Direct drive Integrated system Yes, refrigerant dryer Yes, energy-free adsorption dryer Yes, energy-free adsorption dryer Yes, energy-free adsorption dryer Yes, energy-free adsorption dryer Yes, complete package in one skid with centralised control )睨%睤睥"},{"@ID":47

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 45 BOTTLES Exploring the Future of Advanced Recycling The key event on advanced recycling technologies and renewable chemicals, building blocks, monomers and polymers based on recycling. ADVANCED RECYCLING Conference 2025 19–20 November Cologne (Germany) Hybrid Event advanced-recycling.eu Topics of the Conference • Markets, Investments & Policy • Circular Economy & Ecology of Plastics • Physical Recycling • Chemical Recycling • Thermochemical Recycling • Other Advanced Recycling Technologies • Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) • Upgrading, Pre- and Post-treatment Technologies Organiser Bronze Sponsors Gold Sponsor Textile Recycling Digital Solutions Biochemical Recycling Automotive Recycling New Focus Areas The f inal program is online. Register now! PETbottles Beverage + Liquid Food PET siphon bottle In Italy, Urban Seltz sells 1.5 L bottles of seltzer water under its own brand name in a PET dispenser bottle. The highly carbonated water is used to make cocktails in bars and at home. The pressurised bottle is equipped with a special dispenser cap that dispenses the water through a dispensing channel. Before the first use, a safety device must be removed to make the cap functional. www.urbanseltz.it Triumph for concentrate A few years ago, small bottles of syrup concentrate for quick and easy drink preparation were hard to find in supermarkets. Today, these products are marketed in impulse zones and offered by many manufacturers. The packaging consists of small 65ml PET bottles with sleeve labels that are pulled over the cap to prevent unauthorised opening. There are small openings under the hinged lid to make dosing easier. The products are calorie-free and sugar-free. The picture shows products from syrup manufacturer Foodvibez in collaboration with confectionery manufacturer Trolli and from More, a brand of Quality First GmbH. www.foodvibez.com"},{"@ID":32

"MOULD MAKING PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 0/24 www.petpla.net 30 Plastisud develops thin-wall yogurt cup in bottle-grade rPET Preparation for 2030 PPWR regulation with rPET project French mould manufacturer Plastisud is focusing on sustainability and innovation as it prepares for upcoming regulatory changes such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The company plans to present a live demonstration at K show 2025, showcasing its latest work with rPET in thin-wall packaging. Alongside the trade show project, Plastisud is carrying out studies on PET and rPET injection and exploring how its technologies can support customers in meeting recycled-content requirements. Plastisud, active for more than 60 years in mould making, has made sustainability a central part of its development strategy. “Today, the importance of maintaining an environmentally friendly approach while offering high-precision solutions is at the heart of our strategy,” said President Laurent Buzzo. The company’s design office and R&D team test new technologies on pilot moulds before transferring them into production moulds used for closures, medical applications, and thinwall packaging. According to Plastisud, internal studies have focused on the processing of PET and rPET, materials that are attracting growing attention among its customers due to their recyclability. For K show 2025, the company plans to demonstrate the production of a yogurt cup made from bottle-grade rPET. The format, common in the United States, combines a 0.38mm wall thickness with the processing challenges of PET resin. The cup will be produced with injection/compression technology at 1,250 bar in a 6+6 stack mould, which according to Plastisud, is designed for capacities of up to 8,300 parts per hour. The demonstration will take place at the ENGEL booth in Hall 15. Managing director Xavier Vircondelet emphasised that balancing technological performance with environmental responsibility is key for future developments. He added that the company’s equipment and production tools are set up for international deployments, with manufacturing carried out in-house. Plastisud will also present further projects and information on its technologies at its own booth in Hall 1, C24 at K 2025. www.plastisud.com Plastisud 6+6-cavity mould with injection/ compression technology demonstrates a production capacity of 8,300 cups/h at the K 2025, with only 1,250 bars injection pressure. (Photos: Plastisud) 100% recyclable Yogurt cup in rPET, ready for PPWR 2030 Now featuring Virtual Navigator – achieve sustainability in every cycle XVLQJ VPDUW \t HɝFLHQW SURFHVV FRQWURO Process Pilot+® Agr’s Process Pilot+ system delivers an automated, predictive response tailored to your unique bottle design and blowmolder characteristics ensuring optimization, consistency and repeatability. Start producing your best product today as we push to change global packaging technology one solution at a time. | www.agrintl.com | +1.724.482.2163 ™ Plastisud Hall 1 Booth C24"},{"@ID":14

"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 12 Producing your own rPET is sustainable SGT is one of the few preform manufacturers that produce their own rPET. Around 1 billion bottles produce 30,000 t of rPET. Over 40% of all preforms at SGT leave the factory with rPET content. The in-house production of rPET means that transport routes are very short. Lorries are not required. Interview with SGT // April 10, 2025 We met: Romain Claerebout, Plant Manager SGT Group, manufacturer of PET preforms and food-grade rPET based in Rezé, Loire-Atlantique, France, initially started in 1981 with PVC packaging. Today, SGT France operates with modern laboratories and 27 injection moulding presses at the 27,000m² plant in Rezé as well as an additional 29 injection moulding machines at four locations in Algeria. The company produces around 7 billion PET preforms in France and Algeria every year, as well as caps in Algeria. Turnover in 2024 was 400 million euros. The SGT Group acquired Axium Packaging at the beginning of this year. Axium produces injection- and blow moulding bottles, jars, and caps. With six entities and 385 employees, the company achieved a turnover of €76 million in 2024. Axium serves primarily cosmetics, health and wellness markets. The recycling division is called SGR (Société Générale de Recyclage). 30,000t of recycled PET (rPET) are produced under the SGR umbrella, 14,000t of which at a plant in Chalonsur-Saône, France, in 2018 and 16,000t at the headquarters since last year. In Chalon-sur-Saône, an SSP decontamination line from Bühler Polymetrix is used for food-grade rPET with underwater machining. For the new plant in Rezé, SGT did not opt for the solid (SSP) process, but ventured in the direction of the liquid process (LSP). (Fig. 2) In SSP - Solid State Polycondensation - the PET is treated after melt polymerisation as pellets under vacuum or inert gas (nitrogen) at high temperatures (180-220 °C). This increases the IV (intrinsic viscosity). Very high IV values can be achieved with this process and you have good control over the final viscosity. In LSP - Liquid State Polycondensation - polycondensation takes place directly in the melt (before granulation), often inline in the reactor stream. The process achieves target IV without a separate solid phase process. The process is more energy-efficient as no second heating step is necessary, production times are significantly shorter and it has a smaller footprint. On the other hand, the IV can only be increased to a limited extent and the process control requirements are higher. NGR’s LSP plant in Rezé started production in 2024. To guarantee the high quality of the rPET, all flakes Sponsors to date Plant Manager Romain Claerebout shows us the clean rPET granulate Editour"},{"@ID":23

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 21 product development caps & closures design high cavitation moulds multi-component moulds closure production systems after sales service +43 5572 7272-0 | [email protected] | www.z-moulds.com z NEXT SHOWS K-SHOW Dusseldorf Oct 8-15 | Booth H10-G32 GULFOOD MANUFACT. Dubai Nov 4-6 | Booth S2-A10 INSPIRING PARTNER FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PET CAP REVOLUTION DURING THE UPCOMING SHOWS Additives for recycled plastics target consistency and quality improvements Performance upgrade via magnesium Kisuma Chemicals, a supplier of magnesium-based additives, has introduced a range of solutions for compounders and converters of recycled plastics. These include individual additives and synergistic blends designed to enhance product performance and consistency. Reported benefits include odour reduction, melt flow index retention, colour and yellowing index retention, and gel reduction. “As part of a major initiative to expand our portfolio, we are working closely with our customers to help them unlock the full potential of recycled plastics,” says Zachary Hoffman, Business Development Lead Europe, Middle East & Africa for Kisuma. “Beyond a diversified suite of magnesium-based additives already available for this market, we are actively developing the next generation of these unique products, including tailor made solutions with functionalities engineered to boost the performance, efficiency and sustainability of recycled plastics or retain virgin-like properties. By enhancing colour, reducing odour, improving melt flow and minimising gels, we can achieve consistent, high-quality outcomes together and accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable plastics value chain.” Kisuma’s magnesium-based additives for recycled plastics are designed to align with the European Union’s ambitious directives for increasing the recycled content in many industries, such as packaging (PPWR), automotive (ELV), and building & construction. With a focus on carbon neutrality and supported by the non-toxic HSE profile of these products, the company aims to help customers reduce their carbon footprint and phase out additives that risk future regulation worldwide. Visitors to K show 2025 can explore Kisuma’s magnesium-based additive solutions at the company’s booth H31 in Hall 8B. www.kisuma.com MATERIALS Kisuma Chemicals presents a suite of magnesium-based additive solutions for compounders and converters of recycled plastics. The products are aimed at improving colour stability, reducing odour, maintaining melt flow, and minimising gels. (Photo: Kisuma Chemicals)"},{"@ID":34

"32 EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net EVENTreview drinktec 2025 records participants from 164 countries drinktec, the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry, closed its 2025 edition with 58,281 visitors (2022: 50,000 visitors). From September 15 – 19, Munich once again served as the international meeting point for exchange, innovation, and futureoriented projects. Attendees came from 164 countries, with 70 per cent travelling from international markets. Roughly 30 per cent of participants were from Germany, around 40 per cent from the rest of Europe, and the remaining 30 per cent from other regions worldwide. According to the organisers, decision-makers from the world’s top 20 beverage companies attended, alongside many medium-sized producers, reflecting the fair’s role in industry investment decisions. This year’s event featured 1,117 exhibitors from 68 countries, showcasing solutions along the entire value chain of beverage and liquid food production across 74,000m2 of net exhibition space. The figure marks an increase from 2022 (1,002 exhibitors). Key themes included modernisation projects, process optimisation, digitalisation, and the development of new beverage concepts based on novel ingredients, formulations, and production methods. Many exhibitors used the platform to launch new products, supported by the “Innovation Guide,” which helped visitors navigate innovation highlights. The guide is available online at drinktec.com. A new addition in 2025 was the “Liquidrome,” an interactive networking and discussion space that hosted expert talks, panel discussions, and keynote lectures on future industry topics. The area also featured a “Health Bar,” where visitors could sample new health-focused product concepts, which generated strong interest. Complementing this was an expanded startup area with 20 domestic and international startups, highlighting the sector’s dynamism and openness to innovation. The next edition of drinktec is scheduled for September 11–15, 2028. www.drinktec.com End-to-end solutions for the beverage industry Omnia Technologies attended drinktec as an end-to-end partner for beverage and life sciences. The company supports clients across the entire value chain, from design to the delivery of complete lines, through to after-sales services and digital support. At the heart of the showcase was ACMI, a global leader in complete bottling lines and packaging systems, offering integrated solutions from raw material reception to end-of-line packaging. As a result of Group synergies, ACMI operates as a comprehensive One-Stop-Shop platform. Spanning over 1,000 m2, the Omnia stand reimagined an Italian “piazza” concept, incorporating a digital twist. Visitors were guided by a maxi LED wall and interactive content through processing, bottling and packaging, and end-of-line areas, with multimedia demos, live sessions, and on-demand touchpoints available for deeper engagement. Omnia Technologies unveiled its new compact line, integrating all phases into a reduced footprint with intelligent management. Alongside this development, the company presented its end-toend solutions: from ingredient preparation with syrup rooms and water treatment systems, to bottling and packaging with quadribloc and smart labelling, through to end-of-line with energy-recovery palletisers. Each day featured technical sessions and immersive demonstrations dedicated to customer service excellence. www.omniatechnologiesgroup.com"},{"@ID":39

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 37 vice. “Advantage+Enterprise delivers exactly that, providing manufacturers with powerful enterprise-wide insights through targeted dashboards designed for operations, maintenance, and executive teams.” The objective is to help customers to drive efficiency, quality, performance, and resilience in personnel management, integration of rPET, improving OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) and enabling producers “to make faster, smarter decisions that protect both their bottom line and the planet”. www.husky.co .PSF UIBO KVTU 7*4*0/ */41&$5*0/ Advantage+Elite platform, which has been deployed in more than 1,500 customer contracts worldwide since its introduction in 2021. Husky says that customers connecting entire factories to Advantage+Elite realise even steeper gains, according to data collected during operations. These insights directly informed the development of Advantage+Enterprise, which expands monitoring to the enterprise level, across single factories or multisite networks and leads to improved decision-making for labour allocation, rPET integration and predictive maintenance. It also offers improved resilience and efficiency, thus helping producers to better manage variability and to reduce waste. Husky says that Advantage+ Enterprise was developed in response to market needs for visibility beyond single system-level predictive monitoring and proactive alerts. “Our customers need visibility across entire plants and even multi-factory, multi-country networks,” said Tony Black, Husky’s President of SerThe HyPET 6e platform with a 200 cavity system"},{"@ID":44

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 42 Advances in PET packaging promise lighter bottles and lower costs KHS featured various new developments related to PET at drinktec 2025: The company presented the premium LITE PET bottle with Husky, the InnoPET FreshSafe QuadBlock monobloc line and low-labour AutoReel label storage. InnoPET FreshSafe QuadBlock monobloc line The InnoPET FreshSafe QuadBlock monobloc production line is claimed to offer improved energy efficiency, a smaller production footprint, lower maintenance costs and improved recyclability and sustainability. The FreshSafe QuadBlock integrates several core manufacturing processes into a single, monobloc machine that combines stretch blow moulding, labelling, filling, and barrier coating and thus streamlines the production process and boosts overall efficiency, as well as reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The machine incorporates InnoPET Plasmax barrier technology, which applies a thin glass layer inside the PET bottles, protecting the contents from oxygen ingress and carbon dioxide loss. This barrier coating extends the shelf life of carbonated beverages, which is particularly helpful for products that require long-term storage. The coated bottles remain fully recyclable, so they can be reprocessed and reused, which is an increasingly important factor in today’s environmentally conscious market. No blower unit The system labels the bottles when they are dry, which eliminates the need for a blower unit and consequently cuts energy consumption. This design also reduces the number of conveyor drives by 60%, which helps to improve sustainability and availability. The streamlined container conveying segments and end-to-end neck handling further boost efficiency and space-saving capabilities, making it an attractive option for production environments with spatial constraints. The system’s modules operate in common mode, which enables simplified handling and less human labour. Although the FreshSafe QuadBlock is a single unit, its modular design and construction enables the modules to be serviced independently, which means that parallel maintenance can be undertaken without halting production. The FreshSafe QuadBlock delivers finished PET bottles that are coated, labelled, filled and capped, ready for packing and palletizing. The system’s ability to produce lightweight PET bottles with optimum stability allows for material savings and thus reducing the overall cost of production. The seamless integration with downstream packers and palletisers is designed to ensure a smooth, efficient, end-to-end production chain. Ultra light rPET bottle The Premium LITE bottle, developed in collaboration with Husky By blocking four machines, the InnoPET FreshSafe QuadBlock takes up less space. The streamlined container conveying segments are designed to boost line availability. (Photo: Rüdiger Sternal) The Innoket AutoReel is suitable for all standard types of roll-fed label and can be flexibly integrated into existing lines featuring KHS Innoket Neo RF labelling machines or KHS InnoPET TriBlocks. (Photo: Jan Schwerdtfeger)"},{"@ID":27

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 25 The process enables the enzymatic recycling of PET, producing monomers of new-grade quality. These are characterised by high purity and consistent rPET quality, meaning they can be used directly for contact with food. This technology has already progressed from the demonstration plant to industrial scale and is set to be introduced into commercial plants soon. The various steps of enzymatic recycling are pre-treatment (including sorting, washing, etc.), surface preparation, enzymatic depolymerisation (from polymer to monomers), filtration steps, separation of TA (terephthalic acid) and MEG (monoethylene glycol), followed by purification of TA and MEG. The result is monomers of newlike quality. These can then be repolymerised into PET of a quality equivalent to that of new PET obtained from fossil raw materials. Indian PET recycling: Way forward! Design for recycling is the new key to product launches in India and worldwide. Regulatory support from FSSAI and BIS will further expand the scope of rPET in India, including hardto-recycle rPET items (for both packaging and textiles). This will help open up new avenues for everyone in the recycling ecosystem value chain. The sustainable mantra of ‘reduce and reuse’ and technologies for mechanical, B-to-B PET resin, and chemical recycling will help establish a robust ecosystem for ‘recycling and sustainability’ for all. For the 2025-26 financial year, there is a mandatory recycling rate of 30% for rigid plastics, and all these technologies must work hand in hand to achieve this. A similar trend can be observed worldwide. Investments by major players in mechanical recycling and depolymerisation technologies are imminent. ‘Design for sustainability’ and ‘easy recycling’ are currently trending. Many countries have benefited from the ‘circular economy for plastics’ for better waste management, and India will do the same. Versatility, affordability, convenience and recyclability will continue to contribute to the growth of the Indian rPET industry! For more information please contact: Mr RK Gera, Chairman of the Environment Committee of IPI, a Master Trainer & based in Mumbai India, EX-AVP of Reliance-PET Division, [email protected]"},{"@ID":7


"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 38 EvoBLOW Laser system delivers precision heating with up to 36 zones, instant restarts and improved lightweighting capabilities Lighter but stronger packaging via laser heating At drinktec, Sidel presented the EvoBLOW Laser, described by the company as the first industrialised laser-powered solution for PET bottle blowing. The system is designed to improve line efficiency and expand possibilities for lightweight packaging. The company positions the development as a response to growing demand for higher performance and more sustainable packaging solutions. Halogen technology has long been the standard for PET bottle production, with continuous improvements and widespread success but without a widely adopted alternative. Sidel presents the EvoBLOW Laser as a new approach intended to address some of the limitations of halogen-based heating. The introduction comes at a time when producers face increasing pressure to lower costs, improve sustainability, and operate with greater flexibility. According to Sidel, the new system is designed to support these objectives. Lighter but stronger packaging One feature of laser-based heating is its higher level of precision compared with conventional halogen systems. In traditional solutions, preforms are heated in eight broad zones, whereas the EvoBLOW Laser uses up to 36 heating lines. This allows more detailed control of material distribution along the container. According to Sidel, this control enables further lightweighting, including for premium bottles. The process creates small, thicker “power rings” in specific areas of the bottle wall. These reinforcements, which are not visible to consumers, are intended to increase strength while reducing overall material use. Unlike conventional geometrical ribs, they also allow more flexibility in bottle design. Lightweighting can also be applied in areas that have been difficult to optimise previously, such as just beneath the bottle neck. Process stability with laser heating Halogen-based systems can be sensitive to environmental conditions and often require frequent adjustments to maintain consistent results. These adaptations take time and rely on operator expertise, which can affect production time. Sidel reports that the laser-based system is less influenced by ambient conditions. Each heating line requires only a single process setting for intensity, which is intended to provide a stable thermal profile for every preform throughout production. The company states that this consistency helps ensure uniform results independent of temperature fluctuations in the production environment. Line efficiency features According to Sidel, the EvoBLOW Laser contributes to line efficiency through its cold start capability. Unlike halogen systems, which require warm-up and cool-down periods, the laser-based oven can be restarted without stand-by heating, reducing downtime during stops and starts. Efficiency is also supported by live speed modulation, which allows the blower to automatically adjust its speed in real time to adapt to changing line conditions. In addition, the system is designed to handle a wider range of bottle formats and shapes from the same preform, which Sidel states can simplify logistics. Knowing that the EvoBLOW Laser can restart instantly with consistent quality reduces the stress of unplanned stops. The cold oven technology also allows fast access to the oven without waiting for cooling, with zero risk of burns."},{"@ID":50

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 39 EVENT REVIEW 39 When adjustments or changes are needed, an intuitive ‘touch and shape’ interface supports simple and quick settings. Maintenance is also claimed to be easier due to the absence of ventilation fans and filters, and the longevity of laser diodes. Sustainability and rPET use The company states that the solution supports increased use of rPET, as the system is less sensitive to material variations than conventional heating technologies. Adjustments to accommodate different rPET properties can be made immediately. The development is claimed to enable faster heating and a higher achievable preform temperature which supports optimal stretching. Sidel also states that the technology reduces preform waste compared with its halogen-based solutions and operates with a smaller oven footprint. The company quantifies the reduction in preform waste at around 50 per cent. Field testing with Refresco The EvoBLOW Laser has been tested in cooperation with Refresco, which Sidel describes as the world’s largest independent beverage solutions provider. Coert Michielsen, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Refresco, said the company sees laser oven technology as a significant change in PET packaging production and expects it to play an important role in the future. www.sidel.com ƼRH SYX QSVI WEGQM GSQ CCM64MD Born to perform 1.35 minimum mechanical cycle time sec FEEDBACK-POWERED TUNING kWh/kg -15% up to SPECIFIC CONSUMPTION compared to previous model caps/hour 171k WITH 64 CAVITIES ONLY productivity +50% ON 53 m2 OF FLOORSPACE"},{"@ID":26

"MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 24 decontamination, SSP (Solid State polycondensation) and granulation for use in bottles for direct food contact applications. The ‘super-clean’ rPET process is the conventional recycling process, which has been enhanced with an integrated decontamination step (as specified by FSSAI or any other regulatory body) to remove absorbed contaminants through a combination of surface treatment, high heat, and/or high vacuum in a controlled environment so that the output can be used for direct food contact applications. It has multiple levels of decontamination: Pre-drying, plasticising, filtration, pelletising, crystallising, cooling, bagging. The decontamination process happens in the extruder and in SSP. The SSP process is conducted in an inert gas atmosphere. Melt-in recycling Virgin PET (vPET) production operation enhanced with the ability of incorporating PET flakes in the molten form. It is decontaminated through a combination of high heat and high vacuum Paste-in recycling Virgin PET production operation enhanced with the ability of incorporating PET flakes in the paste form, via partial glycolysis. It is equipped with an integrated system of removing absorbed contaminants via chemical distillation, vacuum degassing etc. Chemical recycling or advanced recycling In the long term, demand for rPET resin cannot be met by mechanical recycling alone. Interest in nonmechanical PET recycling is growing worldwide, including in India. This also includes chemical recycling. This is a chemical reaction process in which PET flakes are completely depolymerised into purified ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid (or dimethyl terephthalate) or bis(2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate). According to the guidelines of ISO 15270, the purified, depolymerised monomer can be used to produce virginquality polymers. The manufacturer of FCM-rPET, which uses chemical recycling processes, submits an application and the relevant documentation to the food authority (in accordance with Form 1 of the FSSAI in its guidelines for the approval of recycled PET as a food contact material FCMrPET). Enzymatic recycling Enzymatic recycling is a rapidly emerging technology worldwide with great futuristic potential in India. It enables the recycling of polyester waste, most of which has not been recycled to date. All this waste could be recycled on a large scale tomorrow, so the potential of these waste materials in India is enormous. It offers the opportunity to use far more economical raw materials, as this process can utilise all types of polyester textile waste as well as those PET bottles (like coloured or multi-layered bottles), which are difficult to recycle. The development of bio-recycling technologies to redesign the life cycle of PET plastics and polyester textiles faces the challenge of transitioning from end-of-life to end-of-cycle models. First, it is important to understand the basic principle of enzymatic recycling. Depolymerisation technologies break down plastics such as PET into monomers (PTA and MEG) so that they can be reprocessed into new plastics (PET resin). This process breaks down molecular chains and decomposes plastics into monomers, which can be used to produce new high-quality plastics (PET) after purification. The enzymatic depolymerisation process is promising because it uses enzymes as catalysts to break down polymers. One of the technology providers has successfully established a link between polymer science and enzymology. The process enables the enzymatic recycling of PET and produces monomers similar to those found in virgin material. It will have a high purity and consistent rPET quality, allowing direct contact with food. Process Enzymes are currently used in many everyday applications (detergents, biofuels, food, textiles and paper), but their use for degradation and thus enabling the recycling of plastics and textiles for industrial purposes has not been considered in the past. These enzymes have been developed to optimise polymer degradation activity. Their activity, including their thermostability, is necessary for efficient and competitive use in industrial recycling processes. These optimised enzymes are used in enzymatic recycling (for both PET packaging and textiles) and increase the composting efficiency of biodegradable plastics (PLA)."},{"@ID":48

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 46 PETbottles Beverage + Liquid Food Children’s drinks in PET The German company acáo GmbH, based in Wiesbaden, sells several drinks under the brand name ‘Fruchtmeute’ that are specially designed for children. The drinks are certified organic, consist of organic fruit juices and water, and are free from added sugar. Each 500ml drink is packaged in a transparent PET bottle with a resealable cap and tamper-evident seal. A fun-designed wraparound label provides all the necessary information. www.acao.de Sports drinks from a cult brand Under the name Sinconade, Deutsche Sinalco GmbH Markengetränke & Co. KG from Duisburg launched a new variant of the isotonic sports drink in the summer of 2025. The low-calorie drink tastes of mango and passion fruit, contains 6% fruit juice and is enriched with magnesium and vitamins. The stable, slim bottle made from 100% recycled material contains 500ml and is decorated almost entirely with a sleeve label. The large drinking opening is sealed with an orange screw cap with tamper-evident closure. www.sinalco.de"},{"@ID":15

"PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 13 Editour first go through a sieving process in which large flakes and fine particles are sorted out. This is followed by metal detection for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It follows in the third quarter. The second step is the removal of coloured and opaque flakes. In the final step, Unisensor uses laser spectroscopy to remove PVC, PC and other non-PET elements. The PET flakes are then thermally melted and pumped through a special vacuum process with continuous deep condensation. This significantly increases the intrinsic viscosity (IV) - around 0.01 dl/g per minute - which enables continuous process control. During this melting process, impurities (including NIAS, bisphenol A, and spin oils) are efficiently removed - at a level that complies with the strict EFSA and FDA approvals. This is followed by pellet crystallisation and final cleaning (acetaldehyde removal). The material is then stored and, if necessary, mixed with new material in a mixing plant. (Fig. 3) www.sgt-pet.com Fig.2: View into the material cooler of the new LSP system for rPET Fig. 3: The mixing system for vPET and rPET is at least as complex as the LSP system"},{"@ID":45

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 10/24 www.petpla.net 43 Technologies, is claimed to offer significant material savings but without compromising quality or bottle integrity. The 250ml bottle weighs just 6.2 g, is made from 100% rPET and is designed for high-speed production lines. It offers cost savings and sustainability without compromising quality. Despite their reduced weight, the bottles maintain high stability and product safety, making them suitable for various shapes and sizes. The use of rPET in the production of the Premium LITE bottle helps to reduce the demand for virgin plastic and promotes the recycling of existing plastic materials, in alignment with the principles of a circular economy. The collaboration between KHS and Husky Technologies has achieved savings of 1-2 g material per bottle, offering substantial cost savings without compromising functionality or aesthetics. KHS says that its InnoPET Blomax Series V stretch blow moulder is specifically designed to deliver maximum bottle quality at low energy consumption in high-speed systems. The technology provides precise control over the bottle’s wall thickness, which is essential for process stability with large batches of ultralight PET bottles and is key to maintaining structural integrity and meeting the demands of filling lines, logistics, and end consumers. Low labour label store Also presented at drinktec 2025 was KHS’ Innoket AutoReel, which addresses the challenges of frequent label reel changes that can require manual intervention and restocking as often as every 15 minutes in high speed beverage and liquid food packaging operations. The compact label reel storage system designed to provide up to eight hours of roll-fed labelling, without operator intervention. Its ergonomically-designed drawer system allows individual reel refills during ongoing operations, without interrupting production. The active drawer remains locked, for safety. It is suitable for all standard roll-fed labels and can be flexibly integrated into existing KHS Innoket Neo RF or InnoPET TriBlock lines. Its compact design makes it suitable for space-limited production environments. KHS asserts that the developments and new technologies integrated into the FreshSafe QuadBlock, Premium Lite PET bottle and InnoPET Blomax Series V stretch blow moulder, and the low-intervention Innoket AutoReel, offer improvements in efficiency, sustainability and product quality to the PET bottle manufacturing industry. www.khs.com Weighing just 6.2g, KHS Premium LITE is also designed to meet the requirements for high-speed filling. The compact KHS Innoket AutoReel label reel storage system enables up to 8h of roll-fed labelling without operator intervention. (Photo: Jan Schwerdtfeger)"},{"@ID":38

"EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 36 Husky features 200 cavity HyPET 6e, PET caps and other new solutions Driving sustainability without compromising performance Husky Technologies was showcasing its latest breakthroughs in sustainable beverage packaging production at drinktec, amongst them the global debut of the HyPET 6e 200 cavity platform, the HyCAP SecuRE PET closure technology and the global monitoring solution Advantage+Enterprise. Bradley Selleck, Husky’s CEO, told visitors to the company’s stand at drinktec 2025 that the company firmly believes that sustainability should never mean compromise. “The industry has moved beyond the old trade-offs between recyclability, performance, quality, or speed. PET is uniquely positioned as the most circular packaging material and at drinktec 2025, we’re proud to showcase how Husky is enabling beverage packaging producers to build a truly circular future while continuing to grow their businesses.” Husky’s stand at drinktec hosted four product launches, led by the world premiere of the company’s next-generation HyPET 6e platform. It features a 200 cavity system and new, advanced vacuum drying technology that Husky says advances rPET processing with superior energy efficiency, precise control, material protection, and higher uptime. The platform enables producers to process higher levels of rPET while maintaining consistent part quality and lowering overall part costs, the company claims. Another version of the system, launched at the same time, was HyPET NX6, which is described as a ‘next generation mid-volume PET system’. It is designed to deliver high production efficiency and preform quality, at an affordable entry point. Closure forming solution The third global launch was presented by Michael White, Director Business Development - Closures. He focused on the HyCAP SecuRE+, a novel closure forming technology that enables both bottles and closures to be made entirely of PET, thus creating a fully circular, mono-material package. The technology features a new tamper-evident design that helps to boost consumer security and improved capping performance, which contributes to greater line efficiency. It is compatible with industry-standard CETIE neck finishes and with complex closure geometries, such as tethered caps. It offers lightweighting opportunities at the dispensing system level, leading to cost savings and improved sustainability. Husky says that the combination of its established advanced closure development expertise and HyCAP SecuRE+ enables producers to align with global circular economy goals while delivering high levels of package performance. “With HyPET 6e, producers can achieve unparalleled scale and efficiency while processing higher levels of rPET with confidence and consistency. SecuRE+ complements this by enabling a true complete mono-material PET package, bottle and closure together, delivering new levels of consumer security and recyclability,” said Robert Domodossola, Husky’s President of Systems and Tooling. Global monitoring platform Drinktec 2025 also saw the official launch of Advantage+Enterprise, a new global monitoring solution that builds on the company’s proven Global monitoring solution Advantage+Enterprise Various aspects of recycling were highlighted in the rPET Experience Center HyCAP SecuRE+"},{"@ID":49

"PATENTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net 47 Container with selective information Intern. Patent No. WO 2024 / 195578 A1 Applicant: Suntory Holdings Ltd, Osaka (JP) Application date: 8.3.2024 A container with customised contents is fitted with a cap with data storage. The data cannot be viewed by everyone - there is particularly secure information that can only be read by authorised persons. Packaging unit Europ. Patent No. EP 4458720 A2 Applicant: Krones AG, Neutraubling (DE) Application date: 6.10.2021 The European patent publication describes a packaging unit consisting of several individual bottles and the process for manufacturing the packaging unit. Packaging unit Disclosure no. DE 102023120529 A1 Applicant: Krones AG, Neutraubling (DE) Application date: 2.8.2023 Conception of a packaging unit consisting of several individual containers. Cutting and device for assembling the unit are disclosed. Floor for pressure equalisation Intern. Patent No. WO 2025 / 052324 A1 Applicant: Cru Inc., Mississauga (US) Application date: 6.9.2024 A PET bottle is equipped with a base that can absorb any pressure differences that may occur through elastic deformation. Flexible bottle Intern. Patent No. WO 2025 / 063289 A1 Applicant: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Tokushima (JP) Application date: 20.9.2024 A flexible bottle has an oval shape in the centre and is equipped with kink protection features. Thin-walled bottle Europ. Patent No. EP 3774558 B1 Applicant: Société Anonyme des Eaux Minérales d`Evian S.A.E.M.E, Evian-les-Bains (FR) Application date: 2.4.2019 The European patent grant of March 26, 2025 describes a lightweight bottle that is inserted into a supporting casing and is deformed by pressing the base in such a way that it fixes itself in the casing. PETpatents"},{"@ID":33

"BOTTLE MAKING 31 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 10/25 www.petpla.net SIAPI launches ARS 5.0 to halve air consumption in blow moulding Air recovery system supports sustainable process In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial manufacturing, energy efficiency and sustainability have become key considerations. SIAPI, a manufacturer of blow moulding technology, has developed its Air Recovery System (ARS) 5.0. This system is designed to reduce air consumption by up to 50% during the blow moulding process, particularly for large-format bottles. Through a recent research and development initiative, SIAPI has introduced a new blow moulding system that prioritises flexibility and energy conservation. The ARS 5.0 system incorporates three recovery phases, with two specifically dedicated to blow air recovery. This system allows the complete recycling of the blowing air in both the primary and intermediate phases of the blow moulding process. The benefits of the ARS 5.0 extend beyond the reduction in blowing air volume required, says the company: Data collected from their customers’ machines with this system installed demonstrate a recovery rate of 50%. This not only translates to energy savings but also contributes to a more sustainable production process. Ultimately, reducing blowing air consumption leads to lower energy costs, reduced high-pressure system installation costs, and decreased maintenance expenses. Precision and repeatability The ARS system’s layout, meticulously designed and developed by SIAPI, is reported to ensure freedom and simplicity in adjusting all blow moulding parameters. The pressure and flow of primary, intermediate, and secondary air are precisely managed by a PLC. These settings are stored in recipes, guaranteeing repeatability of the blow moulding process without any manual intervention from operators. SIAPI’s ARS 5.0 is presented as an advancement in blow moulding technology, offering substantial energy savings and enhanced process control. www.siapi.it BEYOND THE HORIZON PROCESS SOLUTIONS FOR POLYMER RECYCLING AND SOLID STATE POLYMER UPGRADING Polymetrix, a Sanlian Buhler Company, provides process technology including EPCM services for the polymer recycling and manufacturing industry. Leading supplier of rPET systems and integrated rPET plants for single line capacities up to 70’000 tons per year. www.polymetrix.com www.slhpcn.com"}]}}