Out of 3.147.000 tonnes of PET bottles and containers placed in the European market in 2016, a remarkable number of 59.8% - in total 1.880.900 tonnes - were collected and thereof 1.773.200 tonnes mechanically recycled. These conclusions come from the annual PCI Wood Mackenzie PET recycle survey for West Europe in 2016, commissioned by Petcore Europe. It shows that the collection rates increased by 7.4%, while the recycling rates also grew by 7.3%. In 2016, that resulted in 129.400 tonnes more collected and 120.000 tonnes more recycled PET compared to 2014.
"These PET collection and recycling rates are unreached in the plastics packaging industry while it is worth mentioning that PET recyclers still have unexploited capacities for recycling," states Paola Arlotti from Equipolymers, Petcore Europe President. "The figures clearly outline the crucial role of PET in a Circular Economy and for reaching the plastics recycling targets currently discussed on EU level."
The top 5 in PET collection
When it comes to more country specific figures, the survey reveals that the combined volumes reported for France, Germany and Italy represent 47.9% of the total volume collected in the region, continuing the gradual decline in the top three's share (48.5% in 2014 and 53.3% in 2011). These three largest countries in terms of collection volumes are now joined by two other countries that contribute a significant proportion of the regional total, namely Spain and UK. The combined total share of these five countries in the overall EU collection accounts for 70.9%.
Compostition of PET bales
The survey outlines a slightly more positive picture on the clear bottles amount compared to the previous years. Clear bottles accounted for 17.3% of the complete stream revealing an increase of 2.1% on the 2014 share and the first increase in share in five years.
"This is an encouraging sign for recyclers and hopefully this increased share is set to continue," outlines Christian Crepet, Petcore Europe Executive Director. "However, the quality of bales with additionally a total share of 26.4% clear/light blue bottles, 25.5% mixed colours including green/brown bottles, and 30.8% of unspecified mixed colours clearly continues to challenge the recycling industry. Therefore, we believe that there is a vital need for a detailed analysis of the unspecified waste stream which will be part of the 2018 study commissioned by Petcore Europe."
"As regards the quality of the bales, a shift to more high quality markets also requires a stable and high level sorted input," states Casper van den Dungen, Petcore Europe Vice-President. "The survey confirms an increased waste ratio at the recycling stage. Therefore, efficiency increase in collection and sorting is needed and would also contribute to the cost reduction of the total system in the long term."
PET bottle reclamation capacities
Compared to 2014, the capacity increased by 2.5% and the actual processed volume grew by 7.2%. With an actual processed PET amount of 1.773.200 tonnes and the nominal input capacity of 2.147.600 tonnes, the industry average operating rate approached 83% in 2016, compared to 79% in 2014.
"This is a positive result, especially considering all the challenges that the r-PET industry is facing: low virgin resin prices, r-PET pricing, pressure on margins, decreasing quality of bales and rising process loss," states Christian Crepet.
End markets for r-PET
With 38% the major market for r-PET in 2016 remained sheet, followed by blow-moulding applications with 26% and fibres with 24%. The remaining just over 11% are used for strapping and other applications.
PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) is a strong but lightweight form of clear polyester. It is used to make containers for soft drinks, juices, alcoholic drinks, water, edible oils, household cleaners and other food and non-food applications. Being a polymer, polyethylene terephthalate's molecules consist of long chains of repeating units only containing the carbon (C), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) organic elements.
Petcore Europe's complete report is available for all Petcore Europe members via the members section on the association website www.petcore-europe.org. Non-members can request the report directly at PCI Wood Mackenzie contacting Helen McGeough via [email protected].
The complete survey results will be presented more in detail during the annual Petcore Europe Conference 2018 taking place in Brussels on 7-8 February 2018.
