{"id":39420,"date":"2020-11-05T15:07:45","date_gmt":"2020-11-05T14:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=39420"},"modified":"2020-11-05T17:46:17","modified_gmt":"2020-11-05T16:46:17","slug":"these-are-the-most-important-recycling-materials-for-plastic-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/das-sind-die-wichtigsten-recycling-materialien-fuer-kunststoff-verpackungen\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the most important recycling materials for plastic packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The use of recycled materials is also playing an increasingly important role in food packaging. But what is available on the market, where are there still problems and where is it under development? Greiner Packaging from Austria provides an up-to-date overview.<\/p>\n<p>Like many other companies, the <a href=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/tag\/greiner-packaging\/\">Greiner Packaging<\/a> has been using recycled materials for some time now. For the <strong>Production of plastic packaging<\/strong> come <strong>r-PET and r-PP<\/strong> are used. However, this is not about a favoured material per se, but about a sustainable material solution tailored to the customer.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Food authorisation is often missing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Whilst <strong>PP and PS<\/strong> are by far the most widely used materials in the German dairy packaging landscape, <strong>are missing from the recyclates<\/strong> of the two materials is still partially <strong>the food authorisations<\/strong> or are currently only available to a limited extent.<\/p><div class=\"packa-in-post-alle\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"packa-3800969898\"><div id=\"packa-706031319\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/newsletter\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"PJ Self-promotion English 03\"><!--noptimize--><img src=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03.png\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03.png 840w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-332x83.png 332w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-664x166.png 664w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PJ-Eigenwerbung-English-03-688x172.png 688w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" width=\"840\" height=\"210\"  style=\" max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" \/><!--\/noptimize--><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_39426\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-39426\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-39426\" src=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1455299549.jpg\" alt=\"Yoghurt dairy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1455299549.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1455299549-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1455299549-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1455299549-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-39426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image: Madele \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>r-PET for dairy packaging<\/h2>\n<p>PET has good availability due to existing bottle streams. However, its material properties make it largely unsuitable for dairy packaging in particular. Here there are <strong>Special requirements in relation to high-temperature sterilisation<\/strong> (HTS), with temperatures of up to 120\u00b0C, which the PET has to withstand.<\/p>\n<p>Greiner has therefore conducted initial tests for the use of <strong>r-PET HTS<\/strong> packaging for dairy products. <strong>r-PET is currently the only food-approved recycling material, while r-PS and r-PP are still in the testing and approval phase.<\/strong> It is therefore important to provide dairies with an r-material that can withstand the production processes there. <strong>CPET<\/strong> is not a solution for the dairy market for Greiner Packaging. This material can withstand hot sterilisation of up to 240\u00b0C. However, the disadvantage is that the nucleating agents it contains make recycling difficult. This makes it difficult to establish closed loops.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_39427\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-39427\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-39427\" src=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1487893475.jpg\" alt=\"Plastic bottle waste\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1487893475.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1487893475-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1487893475-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_1487893475-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-39427\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image: Frankvr \/ shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Mechanically vs. chemically recycled material<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Mechanical r-material has a better CO<sub>2<\/sub>-footprint, while the chemical alternative also makes contaminated recyclable materials or composite materials recyclable. The chemical process is somewhat more complex, but the quality of the material is comparable to virgin material and food authorisation is therefore unproblematic. Experts believe that <strong>chemically recycled material will soon be officially recognised as recycled material<\/strong> will be categorised.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>First high-temperature stable solutions for r-PET packaging for dairy products in sight <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Mechanically recycled PET is available in relatively large quantities from the material cycle. Therefore <strong>New plastic products easily manufactured from up to 100 % mechanically recycled PET<\/strong> and can be used in the food sector. Tests are currently underway for the dairy industry to see how PET can withstand temperatures of up to 120\u00b0C during high-temperature sterilisation (HTS).<\/p>\n<p>The main focus here is on how the existing sterilisation process with H<sub>2<\/sub>O<sub>2<\/sub> tolerates. The aim is that the <strong>Dairies no changes in the filling process<\/strong> when using recycled material such as r-PET. Greiner Packaging is working intensively with dairy customers on a solution here and the test results will be interesting to see.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>r-PP currently only authorised in the non-food sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mechanically recycled PP<\/strong> on the other hand, may currently <strong>only for non-food packaging<\/strong> be used. However, a food authorisation is currently being prepared. <strong>Chemically recycled PP<\/strong> is suitable for food contact, but is not yet readily available as there are no large-scale recycling streams for PP. Greiner Packaging is currently involved in a project that aims to achieve food authorisation for r-PP from mechanical recycling.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37678\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37678\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37678\" src=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/joghurtbecher_aus_100prozent_recycling_greiner-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37678\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Currently being tested: Dual yoghurt packs with 100 % mechanically recycled PS (Image: Greiner Packaging)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>First test series with r-PS yoghurt pots in Switzerland<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Also<strong> r-PS (polystyrene)<\/strong> is still very poorly available as a chemically and mechanically recycled material. Here, too, the recycling streams must first be established. But PS, with its <strong>high purity values<\/strong> has already proven its excellent suitability for mechanical recycling in previous tests. Initial tests in Switzerland have now shown that Greiner Packaging is already able to do this, <strong>Yoghurt pot made from 100 % r-PS material<\/strong> produce.<\/p>\n<p>In a project with M-Industry, 100 % mechanically recycled PS was combined with 100 % recycled cardboard for the first time. The whole process was tested for the typical Swiss K3 dual yoghurt packs. The results were very promising: <strong>None of the test subjects noticed any sensory deviation due to the new r-PS material used for the first time.<\/strong> The certification of r-PS for yoghurt pots is already in progress in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Source: Greiner Packaging<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/karton-kunststoff-verpackungen-sind-recyclebar\/\">https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/karton-kunststoff-verpackungen-sind-recyclebar\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The use of recycled materials is also playing an increasingly important role in food packaging. But what is available on the market, where are there still problems and where is it under development? Greiner Packaging from Austria provides an up-to-date overview.","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":39439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","rank_math_description":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[58781],"tags":[65,57564,38,101,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-39420","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-green-packaging","8":"tag-abfalltechnik-und-recycling","9":"tag-greiner-packaging","10":"tag-lebensmittel","11":"tag-molkereiprodukte","12":"tag-nachhaltigkeit-und-green-packaging","13":"cs-entry","14":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"vimeo_video":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39420"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39420\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}