APR recognises recyclability of FreshSafe PET
Products which use FreshSafe PET
KHS has had its FreshSafe PET technology acknowledged by North America’s Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as meeting or exceeding APR’s most stringent critical guidance criteria for recyclability.
KHS’ FreshSafe PET technology contains a wafer-thin layer of chemically pure glass on the inside wall of the container, which is washed off during the recycling process, leaving pure PET which can be used again. The combination provides product protection with full bottle-to-bottle recycling, which is often hindered by composite PET materials.
“Plastics are being subjected to increasingly critical questioning. People want more sustainable solutions from the industry, and the demand for clean recycling systems in particular is steadily gaining in significance,” said Jon Elward, head of plastic packaging at KHS USA.
“We’ve fully satisfied the strict specifications and critical demands of the recognition process,” stated Elward. “This again proves that FreshSafe PET is the only sustainable technology on the market and a reference for the recyclability of PET bottles without composite materials.”
Using the FreshSafe PET with its glass layer, sensitive products such as juice, wine, sauce and liquid food are protected from oxidation and carbonated beverages from carbon dioxide loss. Compared to standard composite materials the coating process reportedly provides an improved barrier quality and longer product shelf lives.
“This technology considerably facilitates recycling and at the same time improves the barrier properties of PET bottles,” said Steve Alexander, executive director of the APR. Through its recognition program the organisation aims to improve the recycling quality of plastic bottles, and with this recognition, bottlers and recyclers can be more confident their technology supports the American PET recycling market.
KHS admits that FreshSafe PET incurs additional initial overheads, but assures producers that these quickly pay off as the overall operating costs at the plant are reduced.
“Measured against the huge benefit of additional product protection and longer product shelf lives in particular, the costs per bottle are actually lower than when conventional composite materials are used,” said Elward.
