In a recent breakthrough for the plastics recycling industry, Italian company Itelyum has joined forces with recycling technology specialist Plasta Rei. Together they are working to set a new standard for recycling food packaging waste, converting it into 100% recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) pellets. This collaboration not only represents a major technological advance, but also an important step towards environmentally sustainable development.
Specifically, Plasta Rei has developed a chemical recycling process that recycles more than 95% of PET waste, converting it into high-quality rPET pellets that can be recycled countless times without degradation. This innovation contrasts with traditional mechanical recycling methods, which often result in plastic quality gradually deteriorating in successive cycles. The quality of rPET produced through this process is comparable to virgin PET, making it a game-changer for the recycling industry and companies looking for sustainable packaging solutions.
The collaboration between Itelyum and Plasta Rei not only solves the technical challenges of recycling, but also has far-reaching environmental impacts. By converting food packaging waste into virgin-quality rPET pellets, the program significantly reduces reliance on virgin plastic, thereby reducing plastic pollution and conserving petroleum resources. Additionally, a study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering highlights the environmental sustainability of organocatalytic depolymerization of PET, emphasizing the potential of such technology to reduce the net greenhouse gas impact compared to virgin fiber production and other recycling technologies .
This innovative recycling process not only represents a technological breakthrough but is also a major step forward for the plastics industry towards achieving a circular economy. By enabling countless recycling times of PET without losing quality, Itelyum and Plasta Rei are setting new standards for sustainability and resource efficiency. The initiative demonstrates the potential of collaboration and innovation to address environmental challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
