DePoly, a Swiss award-winning CleanTech company which specializes in advanced recycling of PET/polyester plastics, today announced their collaboration with PTI (Plastic Technologies Inc) a leader in sustainable plastic packaging design and development, to create a closed loop recycled PET bottle.
Using a mixed stream of feedstock, ranging from PET plastic packaging, polyester fibers and industrial waste, DePoly’s technology has broken down the PET and polyester back to its raw monomers, Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA).
From this virgin-grade quality PTA, PET pellets were produced. Finally, these PET pellets were blown into recycled PET bottles using PTI’s 40 years of expertise and technology.
A full closed loop
DePoly set out to challenge itself by using PET andPolyester plastic waste from packaging and insulation. The DePoly technologyproduced a high-quality PTA used to produce recycled PET that was processed into bottles by injection stretch blow molding. This project demonstrates the strengths of bringing together the technical robustness of DePoly and PTI’s extensive expertise in plastic packaging processing and manufacturing. Bothcompanies worked together to demonstrate a closed loop solution for plastic recycling into high grade bottles. Blowing a PET bottle is generally one of the more challenging end products to produce, highlighting the experience of PTI and maturity of DePoly’s technology, capable of bringing a universal approach to PET & Polyester recycling.
Making bottles from varied PET & Polyester waste
DePoly’s uncompromising take on quality has been at the heart of this project. Not only did they succeed in producing a recycled PETbottle, but they did so by taking a broad spectrum of feedstock with the final product being a recycled PET bottle, one of the most difficult products to create. From a challenge point of view, this ticks off all the boxes and further demonstrates that DePoly’s technology is versatile and adaptable, enabling the company to pave the way for a new standard in the industry.
In parallel to the bottle sampling, the conclusion of a preliminary screening analysis of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in DePoly rPET material is showing that the tested sample complies with the overal land specific migration requirements for the PET typical substances in contact with all types of food at any long-term storage at room temperature and below, including hotfill.
“For this project we really wanted to challenge ourselves, taking a mixture of different PET and polyester containing wastestreams that are blended and have different additives. Being able to hold this bottle in my hands, is a testament to DePoly’s and PTI’s ingenuity and expertise!” said Dr. Gaetano Dedual, Senior Business Development Manager of DePoly.
“We did not really know what to expect from this first processing and prototyping trials with DePoly’s chemically recycled material. For a premiere, the outcome is promising. With PTI’s technical expertise, the prototyping went well and the quality and performance of the produced samples are similar to a control made from a virgin PET resin!” – Stéphane Morier, Director Project Management of PTI.
About DePoly
DePoly is a Swiss cleantech company specializing in advanced recycling of polyester and PET. Recognized as a 2024 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, and winner of the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award in 2024, DePoly challenges the status quo on textile and plastic waste management. Through its patented technology, DePoly has pioneered a solution to tackle polyester (PET fiber) and break it down to its building blocks (monomers of PET) called Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). The process yields products identical to oil-based counterparts that can be used to produce recycled PET and polyester, reducing the need for fossil fuels, reducing waste and contributing to circularity in the textile and packaging industry.
About PTI
PTI, with offices and labs in the US and Switzerland, is recognized as the global expert and trusted industry partner in plastic forfull package design, development, materials studies, prototyping, sustainability, support, and processing. With 40 years in the industry, their DNA is in nearly every package on the marketplace shelves and in your home. Their diverse team of scientists, engineers, and designers work with leading brands to deliver top of the line packaging at an accelerated rate, within budget, and adverse of risk. PTI is actively engaged in creating high performing, sustainable packaging solutions. Their work goes beyond the physical product, measuring success by their ability to mitigate risk, affect bottom lines andbrand loyalty, leading to growth – from Process to Commercialization©.
Source
DePoly, press release, 2025-01-22.
Supplier
DePoly SA
Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI)
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