The list is empty
As more and more companies work proactively with environmental issues, the industry has worked actively to find sustainable alternatives to our traditional raw materials. Today, for example, you can choose to manufacture a PET bottle in 100% recycled plastic. Below is a description of how our suppliers work with recycled plastic and how recycled plastic differs from Virgin plastic.
PCR is plastic material that has been used for its intended purpose and recovered, usually through a waste facility and re-processed ready for re-use. The process is called mechanical recovery. The material is chopped, cleaned and either made as flakes (granules) or transformed back into pellets that can be re-processed. This is an example of a circular economy, where the plastic can be used again and again.
Plastic packaging that has been recycled has been used for a variety of purposes and has been exposed to a variety of potential contaminants. The packages are sorted by polymer type (plastic type), but also within a specific polymer type where there are variations that give a restriction / visual effect on the final product. Which means that we cannot expect exactly the same results as if we use virgin plastic.
PCR-PET and PCR-PE are available in the market, but there is only a limited amount that is certified for food quality. PCR-PP with food approval is only available for import at present.
Normally, a specific amount of PCR is added which is blended with virgin polymer, but up to 100% PCR can be used.
There are a number of differences between PCR-PET and virgin PET that become more evident depending on the amount of recycled plastic used. Two main differences:
Suppliers of PCR-PET measure the color of their material with a spectrophotometer. Color standards can be created to a certain extent, but then after a given percentage of PCR. Which is crucial for the end result.
So the potential color variation associated with PCR material can be described as "significant" if you run 100% PCR-PET and mild if run with 30% PCR-PET. (But it will vary from batch to batch and even within a batch).
Small black grains (inclusions) are a consequence of the recycling process (carbon = residues of other plastic material from the recycling process). The basic composition of the base material will affect the final product. Therefore, it is not possible to apply an AQL (acceptable quality limit) as it is both unpredictable and characteristic of the recycling process.
Customer-specific products will also vary from batch to batch as the raw material varies. There is nothing that the manufacturer can influence so it is important to be aware of this when ordering products made with recycled plastic.
PCR-PE is becoming more common and accessibility is increasing. The quality has improved but the nature of the material makes the color variation greater than for PCR-PET.
As with all recycled material (PCR), there are physical and visual variations to varying degrees. Because the granules contain varying colors / shades that are mixed during production and are randomly mixed in the batch during production. (Hence, there is no possibility for AQL at present). There may also be a scent when using HD PCR it increases depending on the percentage used. There is nothing you can influence in the current situation.
Customer-specific products will also vary from batch to batch as the raw material varies. There is nothing the manufacturer can influence so it is important to be aware of this when ordering recycled plastic products.
Just like PCR -PE, the natural opacity of PP tends to mask the color shifts but it is still there. PCR-PP is often stained to hide the color variation. PP is available in several different variants that have different melting points. Which means that a general mix of PCR-PP may not be suitable for all components and the products need to be tested.
At present, it is not possible to classify PCR-PP as Food Approved due to the fact that plastic packaging cannot be distinguished well enough in the recycling process. They say that it is not possible to sort packaging used for food from packaging used for, for example, chemical products.
The following is a description that shows the difference between the finished product and the amount of recycled material used:
If you buy a stained% PCR product then you should be aware of the above limitations and that they are controlled by the amount of recycled material used.
The PCR market is evolving every day because of the high demand, availability and material costs change regularly.
Please contact us for further information.
Now your quotation request is sent to us and one of our sales representatives will process it and get back to you.
Thank you for showing interest in our products!
Questions about packaging solutions? Do you want inspiration and help from our packaging experts? We are happy to answer questions about packaging in general, and we can also offer more products than the ones you see on the website!
Leave your information and write your question in the form. We normally respond within 24 hours.
