Petcore: European PET bottle collection 2007 increases by nearly 20%

Petcore (www.petcore.org) announced recently that European post-sorting PET collection reached 1.13m tonnes in 2007, an increase of about 20% on 2006.

In 2007 just about 40% of all PET bottles in the market were collected for recycle.

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The overall share of fibres as an end use for recycled PET decreased from 52% to 47%, although the tonnage processed continued to grow. The sheet market tonnage increased and its share rose to 24%. Blowmoulding continued to grow with almost 18% additional material consumed in 2007. The tonnage used in strapping also increased strongly to 32% year on year.

Exports to the Far East remained at around 14% of collected PET but the tonnage increased by a significant 36%.

“I am delighted with the continued increase in PET collection throughout Europe and our high rate of recycle. Thanks to the efforts of the Collection Agencies, National Bodies, European Recyclers and the PET Industry Chain, recycled PET has become a reliable and sought-after feedstock in the PET resin portfolio.” said Roberto Bertaggia, Chairman of the Petcore Board.

He commented further that it should be recognised that PET is the most important polymer in contributing towards achieving the plastics targets stipulated in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (2004/12/EC) which lays down that most Member States should recycle 22.5% minimum of plastics packaging this year.

These recycling targets will further increase to 50% recycling or reuse of plastics from household streams by 2020 and PET will be an important part of this sustainability activity.

The Chairman emphasised that Petcore’s task will be to ensure that the growth in PET recycling continues such that it remains an important mainstay in meeting future recycle legislation.

It was estimated that there is a total mechanical reclamation nameplate capacity in the European region of 1.2m tonnes in 2008 with approximately 100 ktes of extra capacity planned.

The report “Post Consumer PET recycling in Europe 2007 and Prospects to 2012” was prepared for Petcore by PCI PET Packaging, Resin & Recycling Ltd. To purchase a copy of this report please contact PCI directly at admin@pcipetpackaging.com.

About Petcore
Petcore (PET containers recycling Europe) is a non-profit European trade association based in Brussels. Its mission focuses on sustainable growth for post consumer PET collection whilst supporting all PET recycling processes as a key integrated part of European Plastics Waste Management initiatives and by validating and supporting innovative PET solutions from a recycle perspective.

Petcore, Brussels, Belgium

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