PETpla.net Insider 06 / 2025

No.06 2025 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 PETplanet is read in 159 countries Suppliers of preform systems & preform moulds 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 30 . 06 . 25 Page 39 Page 27 EDITOUR Page 11 EDITOUR Page 12 PREFORMS Page 30

UNL IMI TED L I FE T IME ! MAINTENANCE COSTS REDUCED BY 50% ENERGY COSTS REDUCED BY 1 5% AF COMPRESSORS ALSO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE AND LONG LIFE 8 & 10 BAR OIL FREE AIR Drinktec September 15 - 19 Munich HALL C5 - BOOTH 401 Meet us at AF COMPRESSORS ENERGY SOBRIETY The world leader of PET oil free piston compressors WWW.AFCOMPRESSORS .COM SALES@AFCOMPRESSORS .COM

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. 06/25 www.petpla.net Trade fairs are important, not so much for sending out orders, but more for making and maintaining contacts, learning about new technologies and getting ideas. The upcoming drinktec in Munich will certainly provide an opportunity to do just this. Once again, the entire beverage industry meets here. Miriam Trotter was at the pre-press conference for us (see page 44) and Gabriele Kosmehl spoke to Markus Kosak, Executive Director drinktec Cluster (see page 42). My personal experience with innovative technology at trade fairs was my visit to Brau Beviale in Nuremberg last year. We wanted to open a beer garden and were looking for a carbonation device for drinks. Well, that won’t be so difficult, I thought, and was almost overwhelmed by offers for carbonisation devices for water. But we also wanted to produce our sparkling wine from wine on site using a carbonator. And there was nothing. The appliances for water are not suitable for wine for hygienic reasons. Until we became aware of a small stand of the Carbotek Systems company. Here, the prototype of a device was presented in which a flow of liquid (all types of beverages) could be carbonated inline to an adjustable target value and, hey presto, you have fine sparkling wine. The appliance can be kept completely hygienic as, unlike water appliances, it has no cavities. What sounds so simple requires a lot of pumps, sensors and electronics. We bought the device. Carbotek developed it from a demonstration unit into a system for continuous use and now you can enjoy the delicious sparkling wine in our beer garden in Heidelberg (www.art5.gg). From the world’s first tap carbonator for gastronomy. I’m looking forward to seeing what exciting news we’ll encounter at drinktec - alongside Carbotek (stand C4-500). Yours, Alexander Büchler Dear readers,

PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 06/2025 EDITOUR MIDDLE EAST 11 Two factories, one holding company - Aseel Water and Oryx develop together EDITOUR CIRCULAR ECONOMY 12 Deposit return schemes Europe, an overview 16 Sustainability is the optimal way to preserve beverages - New Beverage Technology Centre Hochschule Geisenheim University 18 Sustainability can be long-term TOP TALK 20 Will the turnaround start now? - Interview with Christoph Wöss, Director Global Sales at Erema GmbH BOTTLING / FILLING 22 Reducing CO2 emissions with latest aseptic filling innovation - DNP launches environmentally friendly aseptic filling system for PET bottles BOTTLE MAKING 24 Smartweight water bottle launch - Zelda bottle made from recycled BioPET with no-label option in selected markets 26 A robust lightweight - KHS and Husky develop one of the lightest PET bottles MARKET SURVEY 27 Suppliers of preform system & preform moulds PREFORM PRODUCTION 30 Latest generation preform monitoring 32 Launch of roll-on pilfer proof preform range - FlexBlow announces pharma-grade ROPP 28 preforms for Pharma and other specialist markets 33 Precision drives preform production - Retal invests in new equipment to enhance preform quality 34 Developments in rPET preform production - A technological overview of a new beverage packaging plant 36 Full automation in preform production - Automation technologies reshape injection moulding operations by improving efficiency, traceability, and integration CAPS & CLOSURES 37 Fastened for the future - Q Pet expands South Africa facility for tethered closure production PACKAGING / PALLETISING 38 Redefining wine on tap EVENT PREVIEW 39 drinktec 2025 preview, part 1 42 “Sustainability remains a central focus worldwide” 44 drinktec 2025 - Global innovation hub for the beverage and liquid food industry OUTER PLANET 54 Okra and fenugreek polymers extract remove most microplastics from water BUYER’S GUIDE 48 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 46 On site 47 Patents PREFORMS Page 16 Page 24 Page 11 EDITOUR Editour

OUR INJEC TION MOULDS FOR PET, PAC AND MED FEATURE KEEN, SOLID SWISS CRAFTSMANSHIP. OT TO-HOFSTET TER.SWISS A FAMILY OWNED SWISS COMPANY. T OTA LLY SW I S S. O F P R E C I S I O N 70 YEARS yellow.agency

PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net Alpek will cease operations at its PET facility in North Carolina Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V. announced the strategic decision to cease operations at its Cedar Creek facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina by July 31, 2025. The site, acquired by Alpek in 2001, has an installed capacity of 170,000 t of PET resin and approximately 35,000 t of rPET flake production. This decision is aligned with Alpek’s long-term strategy to optimise its global footprint and focus on its more competitive and scalable assets. The company aims to reallocate its production to continue serving its customers with high quality products and sustainable solutions by leveraging its regional and global network. Through this step, which is part of Alpek’s Cost Reduction Strategic Initiatives, the company will be able to generate approximately U.S. $20 million in annualised savings on a run-rate basis, effective by 2026. The decision is intended to reinforce Alpek’s long-term vision to solidify its core business and strengthen its financial position. www.alpek.com EUROPEN launches an interactive PPWR Guidebook EUROPEN has released a new interactive guidebook designed to help businesses navigate the evolving requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Whether companies are starting to review the Regulation or already adapting to the upcoming changes, this practical tool intends to provide a structured overview of the regulatory landscape and its implications for the packaging value chain. “Navigating the requirements of the PPWR can be a complex task. With the PPWR Guidebook, we aim to help companies gain a clear understanding of their obligations - tailored to their specific sector and products,” states Francesca Stevens, the Secretary General of EUROPEN. The guide offers a concise summary of the PPWR and its links to other key EU legislation, an interactive questionnaire to help users assess how the regulation applies to their business, as well as a glossary of legal terms for quick reference. Direct access to the PPWR text and related documentation are also included. To support users in getting started, EUROPEN has also published a short explainer video. The video walks users through the key features of the tool and demonstrates how to complete the questionnaire step by step. www.europen-packaging.eu Chemco and Kandoi form JV to launch rPET-based FIBC bag manufacturing facilities in India In a landmark collaboration aimed at redefining sustainable packaging in India, Chemco Group, one of the India’s largest PET converters, and Kandoi Group of Industries, a leader in technical textiles, have announced a strategic joint venture (JV) to build two fully integrated greenfield manufacturing facilities in Vapi and Dahej, Gujarat. With a total investment of U.S. $52.7 million (₹450 crore), the initiative will focus on producing FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) bags entirely from rPET. The upcoming facilities will offer a closed-loop system from PET bottle collection and washing, to tape extrusion, weaving, and final bag fabrication ensuring full traceability, consistent quality, and reduced environmental impact. Designed to recycle over 10 million PET bottles per day (approximately 3.6 billion annually), the plants will operate entirely on renewable energy and offer a high-strength, low-carbon alternative to traditional polypropylene and polyethylene packaging. Beyond its environmental goals, the JV is claimed to be built on a strong foundation of social equity. It is expected to generate over 2,500 direct and indirect jobs across collection, processing, logistics, and manufacturing. By partnering with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and municipal corporations, the initiative aims to formalise India’s informal waste collector network offering steady livelihoods, improved working conditions, and integration into a more transparent and efficient waste ecosystem. The rPET-based FIBC bags are fully aligned with India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and global ESG expectations. Commercial production is expected to begin by the end of 2025. www.chemcogroup.com ABC Compressors to become part of Atlas Copco Group Arizaga Bastarrica y Compañia S.A. (“ABC Compressors”), a Spanish compressor manufacturer, will become part of Atlas Copco Group and will be assigned to the air and gas applications division within the Compressor Technique Business Area. ABC Compressors was founded in 1943 and is located in Eibar, Spain. The company also has an assembly unit in Suzhou, China and sales offices in India, USA and Mexico. In total 319 employees will join Atlas Copco Group as part of the acquisition. ABC produces reciprocating compressors for gas and air compression, used in several customer segments and applications. In 2024 the company had revenues of approximately 84 MEUR (961 MSEK). The purchase price is not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter 2025. www.atlascopco.com

7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net PROVE IT GO TO ULTRA.MAGUIRE.COM Maguire delivers real data, real savings, real results. See how ULTRA Dryers can: Slash energy consumption Boost production 6(&21'6 2) <285 7,0( Ɣ <56 ƕ USA Toll Free +1 888 459 2412 l Canada +1 905 879 1100 l Europe +44 1827 338 280 l Asia +65 6848 7117 l Taiwan +886 4 2658 1535 [email protected] www.maguire.com ASK ABOUT OUR FREE TRIAL! Reduce maintenance Shrink your carbon footprint MADE IN THE USA

PETnews 8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net International Bottled Water Association: Bottled water gro th rate outperforms all other packaged drinks, by volume America’s favourite packaged drink, bottled water, had the highest volume growth rate of all other beverages in 2024, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) reports, according to new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC). Nearly all other drinks had negative growth in 2024, reaffirming that bottled water’s robust performance is the result of consumers making the wise switch from less healthy packaged drinks to bottled water. For the ninth consecutive year, bottled water is the number one beverage, by volume, in the United States. Bottled water’s total consumption volume in 2024 was 16.4 billion gallons, with a growth rate of 2.9%. Carbonated soft drinks (11.9 billion gallons) grew by a mere 0.2% and energy drinks by 1.6%, while sports drinks fell by -2.7%, ready to drink coffee by -2.3%, fruit beverages by -2.5%, and both value-added water and ready to drink tea fell by -1.3%. Bottled water retail sales reached $50.6 billion, up 3.7% from 2023. “Though sometimes regarded as competing with tap water, bottled water achieved its position as the biggest beverage category by enticing consumers away from other packaged beverages. Some consumers may have transitioned away from regular, full-calorie sodas in favour of their diet (or ‘zero-sugar’) iterations, but many others opted for bottled water instead. And as some consumers grew leery of artificial sweeteners, they moved away from diet sodas as well as regular versions,” says John G. Rodwan, Jr., BMC’s editorial director. “Bottled water’s zero-calorie status and its lack of artificial ingredients appeal to many consumers. Even where tap water may be safe and readily available, people may prefer bottled water,” says Rodwan. “The availability of packaged water wherever beverages are sold also differentiates bottled water from tap.” “Whether consuming refreshing, highquality water from a 3- or 5-gallon jug and watercooler or picking up a convenient, resealable, grab-and-go PET container, bottled water offers a healthy and smart choice,” says Jill Culora, IBWA’s vice president of communications. “Consumers who choose bottled water know both options can lessen their personal environmental footprints when they choose water over other packaged drinks. Watercoolers provide thirst-quenching water from 3- and 5-gallon containers that are collected, cleaned, sanitised, and reused over 35 times before being recycled. And the market’s most popular, individual-sized PET plastic bottle is not only the most recognised as being recyclable but also the most common item in curbside bins (53%), making it easy for consumers to make the right choice and recycle rather than throw away empty bottles.” PET bottled water containers are also ultralight in weight, using nearly 1/3 less plastic than PET soda bottles, which require thicker plastic due to being carbonated. Bottled water companies are increasingly using post-consumer recycled plastic to make new bottles, instead of using virgin plastic, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bottled water’s volume surpassed soft drinks for the first time in 2016 and has done so every year since. The average American consumed 47.3 gallons of bottled water in 2024. www.bottledwater.org PERFECTION DRIVES US. 50 Y E AR S ANNI VERSARY 1973 – 2023 WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF PREFORM HANDLING: www.mtannerag.ch Floor level solution, soft handling, LMKL IJ½GMIRX GSQTEGX PE]SYX 'SQTPIXI WSPYXMSR JVSQ E WMRKPI WSYVGI Growwith the Flow 15.–19. September WE ARE EXHIBITING AT: VISIT US IN HALL A5 AT STAND 122 2025

9 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 Stadler appoints eighth-generation family member Julia Stadler as Co-Chief Executive Officer Stadler Anlagenbau GmbH, the globally active German company specialising in the planning, production, and assembly of turnkey recycling and sorting plants, announced the appointment of Julia Stadler as Co-Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2025. This step reinforces Stadler’s longstanding tradition of family leadership and embraces a forwardlooking, sustainability-driven approach. The leadership team now consists of two Co-CEOs, Willi and Julia Stadler, and CFO Claus Maier. Founded in 1791 as a village forge in Altshausen, Stadler has evolved over eight generations into an internationally recognised technology leader. The company is a leader in tailormade sorting systems for various types of waste, enabling efficient preparation for recycling. When Willi Stadler assumed leadership in 1993, the company employed just 26 people. Over the years, that number has increased steadily to around 600. Julia Stadler, the eighth-generation family member, joined Stadler in 2023 and has served as Chief Digital Officer for the past two years. In this role, she has led the company’s digital transformation, driving initiatives in automation, integrated data systems, and AI, which has put Stadler in a great position for long-term global competitiveness. Her leadership in this role, combined with her prior international consulting experience, has equipped her with sharp strategic insight, authentic leadership qualities and a deep understanding of global business dynamics, making her well-prepared to assume the role of Co-CEO. www.w-stadler.de CREATING FUTURE STANDARDS Japan’s leading Aseptic PET Filling System Provider. Our website Our solution high quality reliable technology safe & secure Hall B4 Booth 533

10 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net Carbios signs its first biorecycled PET sales contracts with two global cosmetics leaders Carbios has signed its first multiyear offtake contracts with L’Oréal and L’Occitane en Provence for biorecycled rPET from its future commercial plant in Longlaville, France. The agreements mark a step in the company’s efforts to scale enzymatic recycling technology, which aims to provide an alternative method for producing recycled PET suitable for packaging. The company stated that the contracts reflect interest from consumer brands in sourcing materials that support circular packaging and quality standards. Carbios indicated that these deals align with its previously stated goal to secure initial offtake contracts in the first half of 2025. “This contract with Carbios underlines our commitment to working with innovative players in PET recycling to create a circular economy. We congratulate Carbios on this advancement towards industrial scale for their enzymatic recycling solution, which represents a key milestone for the packaging industry,” said Jacques Playe, Director of Development and Packaging, L’Oréal. “The partnership we have established with Carbios marks a decisive step for L’Occitane en Provence in our commitment to greater circularity in our packaging. It is testament to the continuation and acceleration of our commitment to reducing our environmental impact. Today, alongside Carbios, we are bringing a shared desire to life to build a high-performance European industry to promote the transition to a circular economy for plastics,” said David Bayard, R&D Packaging Director, L’Occitane en Provence. www.carbios.com StackTeck capacity growth update StackTeck Systems Ltd., a global manufacturer of high-volume injection moulding solutions for thinwall packaging, closures, PET preforms, personal care and medical products, has continued to increase capacity with investments in new machinery and automation throughout their manufacturing and testing facilities totalling U.S. $14.3 million in the last three years. Michael Gould, StackTeck’s Chief Operating Officer stated: “Over the last three years we have invested an average of $4.6 million USD per year representing about 8% of our order intake. At the same time, we are finding synergies between our mould and automation lines, resulting in highly integrated mould specialties such as servo driven mould functions and in-mould automation delivering highly integrated solutions to our customer base.” Our investment in StackTeck’s manufacturing facilities has resulted in capacity increases of 13% in highspeed milling, 50% in EDM, and 50% in gun drilling, further enabling our ability to deliver large multi mould programs. Vince Travaglini, StackTeck’s President and CEO stated: “We are continuing to invest to handle strong demand for our products despite ongoing uncertainty with the current global trade challenges. We are happy to announce that we are currently planning an Open House for this fall where we will showcase some of our latest mould and automation technologies and our customer base will be able to come and see those, as well as the investments we have made throughout our plant in the last few years.” www.stackteck.com 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

Editour PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 11 Aseel Water and Oryx develop together Two factories, one holding company The two plant managers from Aseel Water and the preform and cap manufacturer Oryx work hand in hand. Firstly, by the structure of their respective factories, secondly by a violet bottle and last but not least by the good taste of the water. Editour Interview with Aseel Water and Oryx Plastic bottles // September 21, 2024 We met: Mr Muhammed Jabr Sultan Tawar Al Kuwari, Managing Director Aseel Water and Noureddine Sakhria, Factory Manager Oryx Plastic bottles Mr Muhammed Jabr Sultan Tawar Al Kuwari, owner of West Bay Ice & Water Factory, had the goal of launching his own brand of water, including his own production, on the market after Saudi Arabia stopped supplying bottled water to Qatar in 2012. In 2017, the time had come: Aseel Water, a classic still water, was launched on the market. Under the management of Dr Muhammed Assali, the stretch blow moulding and filling line from Sidel had been completed by then. A few streets away there was already a hall for the associated preform and cap production. This is where Noureddine Sakhria set about building up production. Supply chain disruptions in 2017 required all materials to be sourced from far away. While it was not too dramatic for filling, as preforms and caps from converters could also be delivered from further afield, it was a much greater challenge for Noureddine to transform the empty halls into a production facility. It took two years for the first preforms and caps to leave the factory. “Muhammed and I used the two years together not only to build the factory, but also to extensively test the third-party preforms and caps from various converters,” states Noureddine. This enabled them to define the optimum qualities for themselves. A Husky HyPET 300 with HPP (High Performance Package) and a 48-cavity mould as well as a Sacmi line with 24 cavities were then launched. Initially, the bottles were classically transparent. In 2021, the idea came up to make the bottles purple. A new series of tests with different colour strengths went into production, and again Muhammed and Noureddine worked closely together. The bottle was a complete success. While all the water bottles on the supermarket shelves were crystal clear or slightly blue, Aseel Water shone in a bright purple colour. The marketing team gave the whole thing the aura of “Fun of Life”. What was good for Aseel is not quite so easy for Oryx. As Oryx also sells transparent and blue preforms to other bottlers, the system has to be cleaned extensively when changing colour. As Noureddine comments, “Ten shots are not enough to get the purple off the last corner. Even after this, we still have small inclusions in the clear preforms.” Even though violet has won over a legion of fans, many consumers still prefer to stick with clear bottles. The team is therefore considering bringing a classic clear bottle back onto the market as a second brand in the future. www.aseelwater.com/en www.oryxplastics.com A fixed work sequence, fixed on the whiteboard in front of the Husky HyPET system, optimises downtimes for tool changes or maintenance by Alexander Büchler Dr Muhammed Assali, plant manager Aseel (left) and Noureddine Sakhria, factory manager Oryx (right) together at the controls of the Sidel plant Nothing works without air conditioning, even with the Sacmi canopy system

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 12 Deposit return schemes Europe, an overview Deposit return schemes (DRSs) for drinks container recycling have emerged as a pivotal strategy in Europe’s quest to enhance the recycling rate and reduce waste. By incentivising the return of beverage containers, DRSs not only combat litter and waste, but also foster a circular economy. Thomas Morgenstern, Vice President of Public Affairs - Head of Europe & Central Asia at Tomra, explores the history, current trends and future prospects of DRS in Europe. Editour A deposit return system is a legislation to ensure drink containers such as plastic or glass bottles and aluminum cans are efficiently collected and recycled rather than discarded as waste. Under a DRS, consumers pay a small deposit when purchasing a drink, which is refunded when they return the empty packaging for recycling. “DRSs aim to reduce litter, increase the quantity and quality of collection and recycling, and promote a Circular Economy by ensuring valuable materials are recovered and reused, ideally in a closed loop,” explains Thomas Morgenstern. By providing a financial incentive, DRSs encourage consumers to participate actively in collection and recycling efforts, thereby contributing to environmental goals and resource conservation. History of deposit return schemes in Europe The concept of money back for empty drink packaging has deep roots in Europe. Early “voluntary” systems (not legislated) were run by beverage producers, who saw their costly glass and stoneware bottles as company property and business assets for continuous use. From at least 1803, UK drink producers offered money back on returned containers. From 1900, the first producers charged deposits to cover the production costs of their beverage containers in case it was not returned. As reusable container packaging was gradually taken over by single-use materials like cans and PET, deposit return was considered a means to continue the reuse of valuable materials. In 1984, Sweden became the first country in Europe to legislate a DRS, starting with cans. It not only promoted the recycling of drink containers. “The first ever DRS for single-use containers in Europe was established to combat the growing amount of beverage can litter in the Swedish environment. This early container deposit legislation laid the groundwork for future schemes, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of incentivising container returns,” shares Thomas Morgenstern. Sweden’s pioneering efforts were followed by DRS legislation in other Nordic countries (Iceland in 1989, Norway in 1999 and Denmark in 2002), recognising the advantages of such systems for circularity, reducing packaging waste, and litter prevention. Germany’s introduction of a nationwide DRS for single-use drink containers in 2003, following a decline in the consumption of reusable containers, marked a significant milestone for deposit return systems. The German DRS is today known for its world-leading return rates, with 98% of eligible drinks containers brought back for recycling. Germany today is the biggest DRS market for single-use and refillable beverage containers in the world. The success of early adopters inspired other European nations. Estonia and the Netherlands soon followed in 2005, and Croatia in 2006, each tailored to their specific environmental and economic contexts. The following decade saw Lithuania launch a deposit system in 2016. The period saw not only the arrival of new DRSs, but also the expansion or modernisation of existing legislation – typically to reflect new drink consumption trends, litter streams and popular material types, or to ensure the deposit value keeps pace with inflation. Pioneering Sweden expanded their deposit return scheme to include plastic PET bottles in 1994, and increased the deposit value for cans in 2010. Denmark added more drink types during DRS expansions in 2005, 2008 and 2020. Finland expanded the material types, adding PET bottles in 2008 and glass in 2010. Estonia in 2015 increased the deposit value, and allowed producers of some other drink types to join the deposit system voluntarily. Norway and Iceland also increased deposit values, in 2018 and 2021 respectively. The Netherlands in 2021 expanded from only large plastic bottles to also include small plastic bottles. Also in 2021, Croatia expanded the types of drinks covered (adding milk and dairy products), and to include all drinks over 0.2 liters in size. Recent trends in Europe’s deposit return schemes & beverages bottled in PET Today, momentum for DRS has continued to grow, with several countries launching new DRSs or expanding existing ones. DRSs are now live in 17 European countries. In just the past three years, these European countries have launched a new deposit system: Slovakia (January 2022) Latvia (February 2022) Malta (November 2022) Romania (November 2023) Hungary (January 2024) Republic of Ireland (February 2024) Austria (January 2025) In the same period, Germany expanded its already successful return scheme to cover alcoholic drinks and juices in single-use plastic bottles and cans (2022), plus milkbased mixed drinks in cans and PET (2024). Less than a year after launch, Latvia’s DRS expanded to include strong alcoholic drinks, also after seeing their large presence in litter. Also in 2023, the Netherlands once Sponsors to date

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 13 EDITOUR 13 EDITOUR again expanded container packaging types, this time to cans, following an increase in the number of cans found in the country’s litter stream. Sweden expanded its DRS to include juices in 2023, and in September 2025 will increase its deposit value (from 1 to 2 SEK for cans and small plastic bottles, and from 2 to 3 SEK for large plastic bottles). As well as implementation and modernisation of DRSs, public support for DRS is also on the rise. Surveys indicate strong consumer backing for these programs, with a summary of opinion polls in Europe finding a median of 81% of respondents support introducing new DRSs, 87% support their existing deposit system, and 79% support expanding existing DRSs. This backing for deposit schemes is driven by growing environmental awareness and the desire to contribute to sustainability efforts. Technological advancements have played a significant role in the evolution of DRS. A reverse vending machine (RVM) – for scanning, processing and storing drink container packaging – is equipped with advanced recognition and counting technologies for drinks containers. Automating makes the return process convenient, accurate and efficient for both consumers bringing back containers and the sites serving as return points. Automation also leads to economic benefits for overall system efficiency and cost reduction. Shaping the Circular Economy: It all starts at 8 – 15 OCTOBER 2025 The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber Düsseldor f, Germany k-online.com/join * Forecast Water and soft drinks development Europe, bottled in PET Beverage segments in Europe, bottled in PET (source for both diagrams: Data analytics company Euromonitor International) * Forecast Unit: million litres

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 14 On return locations, all but one European DRS features “return-toretail” collection. Here, stores selling eligible drinks, often grocery retailers, receive that packaging back for recycling. (Iceland is the exception, instead using recycling depots.) Legislation typically requires retail participation based on a store’s size (Croatia and Estonia oblige retailers over 200m2), while smaller stores can participate if they wish. Sweden and the Netherlands have no legal obligation on retailers, but most retailers have joined voluntarily. Some countries complement retail returns with kiosks (Denmark and Sweden) or HORECA pick-up (Estonia and Finland); amusement parks, schools, and airports have also become return points. Offering convenient locations for consumers and faster roll-out for legislators, return-to-retail collection brings stores higher footfall and financial incentives like handling fees. Stores gain an opportunity to help collect a retail product that can otherwise end up as litter. Source: Tomra The EU’s legislative framework for deposit return schemes “The legislative landscape in Europe is also increasingly recognizing DRSs as a proven tool to drive high quality collection and the recycling rate, circularity, and packaging waste prevention,” explains Thomas Morgenstern. The European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), adopted in 2019, aims to reduce the impact of plastic products on the environment. The SUPD mandates plastic bottles must contain at least 25% recycled content by 2025, and 30% by 2030. It also requires each EU member state to separately collect 77% of single-use plastic bottles for recycling by 2025, rising to 90% by 2029. “Although the SUPD did not mandate a means to achieve these goals, experts stated it would be difficult to impossible to achieve 90% return rates without deposit systems,” Thomas Morgenstern adds. The EU’s Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), voted into law in December 2024, extends the SUPD’s efforts and aims to harmonise recycling across Europe. The PPWR goes a step further, requiring each EU member state to implement a deposit system for cans and plastic bottles by 2029, to achieve the goals for separate collection and recycled content. The PPWR states DRSs should span drinks in plastic or metal containers up to 3L in size, but can exempt containers under 0.1L. Member states should also endeavor to include glass and cartons where appropriate. The PPWR also sets minimum requirements for DRSs, such as a sufficient deposit value, clearly labelled containers, and reinvestment of unredeemed refunds into public education on the deposit system. Source: Tomra Results of deposit return schemes across Europe DRSs have led to high collection rates and recycling rates. Germany today boasts drinks container return rates exceeding 98%, and Norway achieves 92%. Lithuania jumped from a return rate below 34% before its deposit system, to an impressive 92% just two years later. Slovakia reached a return rate over 70% in its first year, exceeding its goal of 60%. “Most recently, within seven months of Ireland’s DRS launch in February 2024, the country achieved a 73% return rate, putting it well on track to reach the EU collection target of 77% by the end of 2025.” DRSs also see substantial reductions in litter. In Norway, less than 1% of drink containers are littered, and only one in eight bottles washed up on the coastline are Norwegian; the rest come from neighboring countries. Two Torus Total Quality Lab Come check out the newest automated bottle testing equipment at DrinkTec 2025! Stand C6-249 Scan for all your beverage testing needs The ultimate in automated container testing

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 15 EDITOUR years into its deposit return scheme, Latvia recorded a 61% reduction in plastic containers in coastline litter, and a 49% reduction among all DRS containers. 54% of consumers said the environment had become cleaner after the DRS. In Slovakia, drink cans made up 20.5% of collected litter 1.5 years before the DRS (with PET bottles making up 15%), dropping to 2.2% just 1.5 years after the return scheme (and 3.2% for PET bottles). Six months after Ireland’s deposit return scheme launch, it was announced the DRS had led to a huge reduction in drink containers found in coastal clean-ups. Socially, DRSs raise public awareness and change behaviours around recycling and waste reduction. In many countries, a new DRS has been accompanied by educational campaigns, fostering a culture of recycling and environmental responsibility. By the end of Lithuania’s first year with DRS, 99.8% of the public were aware of the system, with 89% having used it at least once; 58% reported recycling more, and 78% believed the deposit scheme was good and necessary. In Norway, more than 92% said it is very important for them to be able to return every container; they believe it is good for the environment, and trust the system. Research 1.5 years into Latvia’s DRS found the system is used at least once per month by 80% of the population, and by 94% of households. What’s next for deposit return schemes in Europe and the EU “The future of DRS in Europe looks busy and bustling, with several countries planning to implement these schemes in the coming years,” explains Thomas Morgenstern. Austria introduced its DRS on January 1, 2025, aiming to increase the recycling rate from the current 70% to 90% by 2027, to reduce litter and enhance high quantity and quality resource recovery. Poland is set to introduce its DRS in 2025. Portugal has announced it will begin with a deposit scheme in 2026. In January, DRS regulations for England and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom were passed by both hours of parliament, with the deposit refund scheme set to go live in October 2027. Greece and Spain are also aiming for DRS implementation. “Deposit systems have proven to be an effective tool in European countries’ efforts to enhance their collection rate and recycling rate, reduce waste, combat litter, and reuse valuable resources. The history, current trends and future prospects of DRS highSource: Tomra light their importance in achieving recycling and waste management goals. As we look to the future, continued modernisation and innovation will be essential as DRS becomes a cornerstone of Europe’s circular economy,” says Thomas Morgenstern. www.tomra.com

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 16 New Beverage Technology Centre Hochschule Geisenheim University Sustainability is the optimal way to preserve beverages by Alexander Büchler Editour We met: Dipl. Ing. Michael Ludwig, Head of Getränke Technologie Zentrum (GTZ) and Prof. Dr Ralf Schweiggert, Head of Institute of the Department of Beverage Research Professorship for Analysis & Technology of plant-based Foods – Focus on Beverages. Hochschule Geisenheim University // March 5, 2025 The filler is a jack-of-all-trades, it can fill almost every conceivable type of beverage, including beer, RTDs, soft drinks (still & carbonated), wine & sparkling wine, water (still & carbonated) and juices (including pulps) in cans, glass or PET. The background to the investment is to find out under practical conditions how a particular beverage can best be preserved and bottled. This includes the optimal preparation of the filling products, the selection of suitable packaging and, if necessary, the selection of a post-treatment of the filled packaging. Product-specific filling systems were previously used, but this new filler now allows for greater variance and, above all, better comparability. This makes it possible to compare the foaming behaviour during filling, test the highly sensitive products for vitamin stability, identify aromatic deviations and find the best shelf life method for the product, such as ultraclean filling, pasteurisation or the addition of velcorin, to name just a few aspects. With all the know-how about filling products and packaging types, the topic of rPET is naturally also on the table. Prof Schweiggert once tried to find out the actual proportion of rPET in the finished bottle. However, the data did not provide a clear picture. In an investigation of researchers of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Lemgo a few years ago, they were able to show that the bottle contained rPET, but the determination of the exact proportion remained intricate. When travelling round the country looking into sustainability, you always come across new aspects. Our visit to the Getränkte Technologie Zentrum (GTZ) at Hochschule Geisenheim University in Germany was no exception. I am welcomed by Prof. Dr Ralf Schweiggert and the head of department, Dipl.-Ing. Michael Ludwig. The occasion is the new GTZ building of over 4,000m2. It is here that the new Vipoll Small-in-One filler is used. Sponsors to date Students using the new automatic beverage filling facilities. (Photos: Hochschule Geisenheim / Torsten Silz) Students talking to Michael Ludwig in the new Beverage Technology Center.

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 17 EDITOUR With the new analytical methods in Geisenheim, he could look deeper into the material and imagine a way of improving the determination of the exact rPET content. Beverage technology has a history of over 60 years in Geisenheim. The Beverage Technology Centre (GTZ) is of central importance here. Here, beverage technology products can be produced and filled under realistic conditions in different sizes and with a high degree of process engineering flexibility. The “baby” of Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Michael Ludwig is responsible for the design, planning and new construction of the GTZ with laboratories, technical facilities and production areas. With an area of over 4,000m², the GTZ offers a unique infrastructure for the practical training of Bachelor’s and Master’s students in all areas of beverage technology. The new centre enables the practical processing of raw materials from the fruit and vegetable production sector into high-quality juices, nectars, spritzers and soft drinks. Beer is brewed in two breweries and spirits and liqueurs are produced in the distillery. The range is complemented by the company’s own sparkling wine factory. The coffee laboratory with its own roastery is another pillar of the comprehensive beverage technology training programme. In addition, a sensory laboratory and analytical laboratory are available for drinking and table water and other beverages. The GTZ combines teaching and research in an ideal way. It offers students sound practical training and enables them to carry out current research projects with a process engineering background. About Prof. Dr Ralf Schweiggert: from 2008 to 2011 and habilitated in 2017 in the field of technology and analysis of plant foods at the University of Hohenheim. Since 2018, he has headed the Institute for Beverage Research and holds the Professorship for Analysis and Technology of Plant-Based Foods at Hochschule Geisenheim University. www.hs-geisenheim.de Since 2003, Prof Schweiggert has been working in food technology with a focus on fluid foods and beverages such as wine and fruit juice. During his career, he studied and taught at the Department of Food Science and Technology at Ohio State from 2011 to 2012, at the Escuela de Tecnología de Alimentos of the Universidad de Costa Rica (San José, Costa Rica)

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 18 Sustainability can be long-term by Alexander Büchler Machinepoint has built an excellent reputation on the international market for used machines. With a comprehensive range of services, the company has taken the used equipment business out of its dusty niche and established itself as a reliable problem solver for the entire industry. Founder and Managing Director Cesar Rodriguez recognised the potential of the Internet at an early stage - a move that proved to be forward-looking. Editour Interview with MachinePoint // March 27, 2025 We talked to César Rodríguez Gabilondo, CEO of MachinePoint Today, machinepoint employs over 50 people and has a presence in 19 countries worldwide. Neutrality is a core value for the company: Rodriguez advises independently of manufacturers, sellers or buyers. This enables him to find the right solution for each customer - and if this is not immediately available, he can draw on his global network to procure the right system. A conscious business model: retrofit services or spare parts are not offered by machinepoint. The customers – mostly technologically savvy medium-sized companies – are able to operate and maintain their machines independently. The customers As a rule, these are medium-sized companies that already have a great deal of experience with such systems. The multinational brands rarely enquire, they usually move their used equipment in-house. Customers are spread around the world; they are not just customers from emerging markets who need favourable investments. Many have a specific machine park that is looking for exactly the same machines from the year of manufacture and can thus be optimally integrated into their production, or, especially in the case of more complex systems, the reason for a used system may be the delivery time. The customer needs an additional system for a new product. He buys it used in a timely manner and if the product is a success, he can always switch to a new purchase. To what extent will Trump’s confused tariff policy have an impact on business? Only time will tell. The sellers The whole range can be found here. This includes a generational change in the machine park as well as the discontinuation of certain product lines and even insolvencies. The products Machinepoint specialises in the beverage and plastics industry. The spectrum ranges from individual machines with or without moulds, preform systems, stretch blow moulding systems and recycling systems to complete filling systems. The challenge: The complexity of brokering and shipping equipment across linguistic, cultural and continental boundaries is not easy to manage with an online database. It means that offline support is necessary, as well as proper counselling to find a machine adapted to the buyer’s needs and budget. The realisation Once the right system has been found for the right customer, the work really begins. The customer can view the system in production or at least in dry operation at the seller’s premises. Due to the weights and dimensions, the subsequent dismantling, transport and assembly is very complex. A bottling plant can easily require up to 50 or more overseas containers. In addition to the technical challenges, there is also the complexity of international trade, with different languages and laws etc. to consider. This can only be achieved with a multilingual team of specialists in technology and logistics. Machinepoint shows that sustainability in industry does not mean breaking new ground, but also making sensible use of what already exists. When used systems enter a second phase of life thanks to expertise, networks and smart advice, the environment, the economy - and not least the customers - benefit. www.machinepoint.com F.l.t.r.: Gianni Olivo, Area Business Manager; Andrea Blumenschein, Area Business Manager; Martin Smith, Beverages Division Director; Alexander Büchler, Publisher PETplanet Insider and César Rodríguez Gabilondo, CEO of MachinePoint Sponsors to date

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 19 EVENT PREVIEW )_;m l-bll =Ѳ;b0bѲb| l;;|v _b]_ r;u=oul-m1;Ķ |_-|Ļv _-| ; o0|-bmĸ " Ļv bmf;1|bom loѲ7vĶ =uol 2 |o 200 cavitLHVĶ -u; vb|-0Ѳ; =ou |_; ru;=oul vv|;lv bm |_; l-uh;| -m7 ;mvu; |_; 0;v| ru;=oul t-Ѳb| b|_ |_; Ѳom];v| Ѳb=; 11Ѳ;ĸ u om] b=; =;-|u; om oѲ7 -Ѳ= ]-u-m|;;v ]oo7 r-u|v =ou -| Ѳ;-v| Ǝ lbѲѲbom 11Ѳ;v 0;=ou; =buv| l-bm|;m-m1;Ķ _bѲ; ƒ lbѲѲbom 11Ѳ;v -u; ]-u-m|;;7 om |_; o| !mm;uĶ _;Ѳrbm] o l-h; |_; lov| o= ou |ooѲbm]ĸ " ru;=oul |ooѲbm]Ķ |_-mhv |o r-|;m|;7 voѲ|bomv -v * 1|b; Ѳ;-mbm] and *(-1l 1Ѳ;-mbm]Ķ -u; vb|-0Ѳ; |o um r |o Ǝƍƍѵ u $ b|_ mo 1olruolbv; om t-Ѳb| -m7 om l-bm|;m-m1; bm|;u-Ѳvĸ Great numbers to shape great performance 140+ thousand 200 cavity mold 12 million cold half cycles guaranteed 5 million hot runner cycles guaranteed 100% rPET capability preforms/hour " Ľv ƑƏƏ 1-b| ru;=oul loѴ7ķ |_; ouѴ7Ľv _b]_;v| 1-b|-ঞom ru;=oul |ooѴbm] " "ĸrĸ ĸ (b- -7ࢼ 7;Ѳ -ouoĶ Ɛ ň ƐƎƍƏƔ (boubo (;m;|o Ŏ$(ŏ ň |-Ѳ $;Ѳĸ ƱƐƔ ƍƑƐѴ ƔƎƎƒƎƎ ň vbr-Şorr-vĸ1ol ň ĸvbr-ĸb|

TOP TALK PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 20 Interview with Christoph Wöss, Director Global Sales at Erema GmbH Will the turnaround start now?by Heike Fischer Some selected media representatives from the plastics industry were invited to the Erema Group for a K’ 2025 preview event at the beginning of June. In their usual friendly and charming manner, the team led by CEO Manfred Hackl answered the journalists’ questions. Christoph Wöss, the newly appointed Director Global Sales and an expert in PET recycling, was unfortunately not on site. That’s why PETplanet is now taking the opportunity to speak with him! PETplanet: Christoph, you’ve just returned from Peru! What was the reason for your trip? Wöss: Hello Heike! As always, it is a pleasure to talk to you about PET recycling and I thank PETplanet for the opportunity to do so in retrospect. Yes, that’s right, I was in Peru the very week of the K’ preview event. I visited a few Erema customers there and the CMT “Circular Plastics Packaging” conference took place in Lima at the same time. It was and will always be important to me in my new position to find out what was actually happening on the ground. My key takeaways from this trip were that there are many good reasons to hope for more recycling in Latin America. On the one hand, many countries there already have EPR schemes, recycling targets and framework conditions that enable the use of rPET for direct food contact. On the other hand, the Latin American industry has repeatedly suffered setbacks in the form of very high inflation, high interest rates on loans and political instability. However, I have taken away a very positive general mood in the packaging industry as a whole and look forward to the next 1-3 years with optimism. PETplanet: What can Erema expect from its new Director Global Sales? Wöss: Erema is preparing intensively for the next leap towards internationalisation process of plastics recycling. On the one hand, this includes streamlining and optimising internal processes so that a copy in other countries works. We took this step over the past one to two years, making good use of the time during the recession that affected certain areas. At the same time, we need locally harmonised strategies that are aligned with the Erema portfolio and our core values. This is exactly where I come in – I want to spread our opportunities and the Erema spirit to our current and future subsidiaries worldwide so that people outside Ansfelden also want to passionately support our mission ‘Another life for plastic - because we care’. PETplanet: Manfred Hackl reported that the financial year 2024/2025 closed with a 13% decline. A 10% decrease is forecast for 2025/2026. At least, things seem to be picking up again. What are the indicators of this slight upturn? Wöss: Despite the currently challenging market environment, we see clear potential for positive developments – on multiple levels. With its technologies and solutions, the Erema Group covers the entire value chain of mechanical plastics recycling. By combining our expertise, we ensure that our customers remain competitive even in a dynamic market environment. This is reflected in our broad product portfolio, high system availability, and the quality of our service. The plastics industry has increasingly recognised that the share of recycled materials in new products must continue to grow to achieve our shared goal of a functioning circular economy. While the European market has been subdued, the Group experienced positive momentum in North America and Asia. Regulations such as the PPWR (packaging and packaging waste directive), which has come into force in the EU, also give a positive outlook in Europe, provided that competitiveness can increase again. This would mean launching initiatives that combine ecological and economic interests and strengthen the industrial base, like the Clean Industrial Deal in the EU. Just as important are global developments that create reliable framework conditions, such as the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and legal requirements for mandatory use of recycled materials in new products. However, we are also increasingly noticing that the plastics industry, especially in Europe is not letting itself get down and that there has been a strong sense of optimism, especially since the last PRSE show in Amsterdam. Even though we are plagued by excessive bureaucratisation here in Europe, the various associations are trying to push Brussels in the right direction. Just to name a few, harmonisation of the PPWR and SUPD and of immanent importance for the rPET market will be, that only PET packaging material that was previously placed in Europe counts towards achieving the recycling targets. This means that imports from third countries must not be counted, and this strengthens the European recycling industry in the long term! Personally, I am absolutely convinced that a true circular economy only works if the cycle remains in its own region. It is important to consider the environmental impact of our actions, and it is counterproductive to discuss recycling if we unnecessarily add to the CO2 emissions of rPET by transporting it over long distances. PETplanet: Erema has established a broad foundation in plastics recycling - the right strategy to create balance when necessary. Has there been one division in particular that has supported the company over the past two years? Wöss: Fortunately, no! And that’s exactly where the strength of Erema and the entire Erema Group lies. Our broad positioning across multiple areas of plastics recycling creates a stable foundation – even in challenging times. Internally, we don’t refer to “divisions”

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY0MjI=