Breaking the myth: recycled PET in heat resistant food packaging. It’s possible.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer known for its clarity, strength, barrier properties and wide processability. It is commonly found in beverage bottles, food containers, and packaging films, and one of the most significant advantages of PET is its recyclability. It can be recycled into new products, supporting the circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.
Unfortunately, one thing amorphous PET, is not good at is withstanding high temperatures.
Why is PET often overlooked?
Despite its widespread use, PET is often overlooked for high temperature food applications since it easily deforms when filled or in contact with hot products. Hotfill food packaging for example, involves filling containers with products at high temperatures to sterilize the product and extend its shelf life. Hot food and beverage packaging, such as lids for coffee cups, need to withstand contact with hot products to not deform and lose its functionality. Traditionally, materials like polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) have been used for these applications thanks to their heat resistance. These materials, however, are very difficult to recycle and have started struggling to meet market demands and PPWR regulation. This is where Akestra™ comes into play.
rPET can now handle the heat
Akestra™ is an innovative polyester that can be layered onto PET, providing added heat resistance and making it suitable for hot applications up to 95°C. Incorporating Akestra™ also maintains the recyclability of PET plastic. It is a win-win and provides the packaging industry with a commercially viable alternative to PP and PS, offering similar heat resistance but with the significant benefit of being recyclable at scale.
Endorsed by TCEP
Akestra™ 100 and 110 are material grades endorsed by TCEP for recycling in existing tray-to-tray transparent PET streams. This endorsement ensures that Akestra™ contributes to a circular economy and makes it an ideal choice for packaging producers looking to comply with the PPWR regulations.
Versatility in design and application
Akestra™ is engineered to withstand the demands of hot processes up to 95°C, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its glass-like clarity and enhanced rigidity make Akestra™ the material of choice for visually appealing and structurally robust thin wall packaging. Akestra™ is also suitable for opaque colors, offering versatility in design.
Tunable recycled content and minimized emissions
Hotfill food packaging solutions based on Akestra™ can incorporate up to 90% of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and offer up to a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from cradle to grave. The unique feature is that customers have the freedom to customize the amount and the quality of rPET and vPET to optimize overall cost and PCR content.
The integration of Akestra™ into PET packaging breaks the myth that PET cannot be used for hot food applications. By enhancing PET's heat resistance without compromising its recyclability, Akestra™ offers a sustainable and future-proof solution for the thin wall food packaging industry. To learn more about Akestra™ and its benefits, visit our web page.
