Author: Heike Fischer

Dear readers, Today, on the occasion of our anniversary, I would like to thank all those who have made PETplanet Insider what it is today, namely an integral part of the PET industry. In addition to the team and our many other supporters, I would also like to pay particular tribute

based on an article by Dr Frank Welle, The Facts about PET PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) was first developed for use in synthetic fibres by British Calico Printers in 1941.* The patent rights were then sold to Dupont and ICI who in turn sold regional rights to many other companies. Although originally

Advanced recycling on the rise Advanced recycling technologies are developing at a fast pace, with new players constantly appearing on the market, from start-ups to chemistry giants and everything in-between. New plants are being built, new capacities are being achieved, and new partnerships are being established. With all  these dynamic developments,

The PET recycling process starts with the arrival of the material (i.e. PET bales) to the recycling facility, where it is shredded and washed, producing flakes. Flakes can be either directly commercialised by recyclers (for applications such as packaging) or be sent to extrusion into pellets. The first point of the

Interview with Chris DeArmitt, President at Phantom Plastics, by Kay Barton PETplanet: How long have you been interested in plastics and what is your personal story here? And was there a trigger to take action against false reports about plastics with facts? Chris DeArmitt: I have a PhD in chemistry and

by Chris DeArmitt Thirst – it can drive you to drink!. In fact, when it comes to survival, we need hydration more than we need food. When at home, we can take satisfy our thirst with tap water, but when we’re on the go, we need other options, but which one

Interview with Philipp Lehner, CEO Alpla Group, on his social media activities, by Gabriele Kosmehl Plastics face a tough battle in public perception, with PET bottles often symbolising increased concern over waste. Shedding light on this issue is crucial. Philipp Lehner, CEO of the Alpla Group, is taking to multiple social

In 2022, PET converter demand for applications such as bottles, films and sheet in the EU27+3 region stood at 5.0 million tonnes. PET production (including virgin and recycled) reached 3.9 million tonnes in 2022, as illustrated in the figure, showing a downward trend in relation to previous years. The difference between

The EU Council presidency and European Parliament representatives have announced a provisional political agreement on a proposal for regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The stated aim is to tackle the increase in packaging waste generated in the EU while, at the same time, harmonising the internal market for packaging and