Page 74 - Plastics News July 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

PET Thermoforms- A New Landscape

for PET Recycling

China’s National Sword policy significantly impacted
thermoform recovery rates in the United States and
Canada. In 2018, all reclaimed material stayed with-
in the United States and Canada for the first time.
PET reclaimers typically only process bottles, so they
have historically seen thermoforms as contaminants
for technical and economic reasons. Technically, the
PET Trends

Laura Stewart, communications director for the
National Association for PET Container Resources
(NAPCOR), presented updated statistics and details
of the current landscape for PET thermoform recy-
cling in the United States. In 2009, NAPCOR identi-
fied a gap in the market whereby PET thermoform
containers were not being collected for recycling. At
the time, NAPCOR estimated approximately 1bn lbs
of PET thermoforms were available, yet in 2011, only
45MM lbs were recycled. In 2018, over 1.8bn lbs of
PET was recovered, 41 percent of which was plastic
fiber.

China’s National Sword policy significantly impacted
Recycling PET bottles has set a standard for other thermoform recovery rates in the United States and
industries, but PET thermoforms are still gaining Canada. In 2018, all reclaimed material stayed with-
momentum. This industry segment is paving the in the United States and Canada for the first time.
way for a new landscape in PET recycling. PET reclaimers typically only process bottles, so they
have historically seen thermoforms as contaminants
for technical and economic reasons. Technically, the
PET Trends lower IV and higher percentage of fines create me-
chanical problems. Economically, lower bale yields
Laura Stewart, communications director for the mean reduced value when the thermoform fraction
National Association for PET Container Resources is higher. According to NAPCOR figures, the fraction
(NAPCOR), presented updated statistics and details of PET thermoforms in bales steadily increased from
of the current landscape for PET thermoform recy- 1.5 percent in 2009 to just over 12 percent in 2018
cling in the United States. In 2009, NAPCOR identi- before dropping to 9.5 percent in 2019. They project
fied a gap in the market whereby PET thermoform this fraction to reach 17 percent by 2024.
containers were not being collected for recycling. At Increased rPET Demand
the time, NAPCOR estimated approximately 1bn lbs
of PET thermoforms were available, yet in 2011, only California Strawberry Commission and Driscoll’s are
45MM lbs were recycled. In 2018, over 1.8bn lbs of committed to using PET thermoforms as supple-
PET was recovered, 41 percent of which was plastic mental feedstock for PCR.
fiber.

76 PLASTICS NEWS July 2024