The biobased bottle from chemical company Avantium has recently been officially recognized as recyclable within the existing PET recycling system. The certification was issued by RecyClass, a European organization that assesses the recyclability of plastic packaging based on industry standards.
Full-fledged replacement
The Avantium bottle is made of a combination of PEF and PET. PEF stands for polyethylene furanoate, a bioplastic based on plant sugars. PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is the standard raw material for plastic bottles. RecyClass has determined that this combined bottle can be processed without any problems in existing PET recycling facilities.
The RecyClass PET Technical Committee evaluated Avantium's PET/PEF multilayer bottle, which contains 10% PEF (releaf® RP90N). Lab tests showed that the bottle is fully compatible with the PET recycling system. The tests were conducted by PTI-Europe and Plastics Forming Enterprises. This removes a significant hurdle to the market introduction of biobased bottles. Recycling organizations and manufacturers have previously been reluctant due to the potential disruption to existing collection and processing flows.
Performance and durability
Besides being derived from renewable resources, PEF also offers functional advantages. The material has better barrier properties than PET. This makes it more resistant to oxygen and carbon dioxide, which improves the shelf life of beverages and food. This makes the bottle attractive for applications in soft drinks, water, and cosmetics, among other products.
Ingrid Goumans, Director of Public Affairs at Avantium, states: “This recognition by RecyClass clearly demonstrates that PEF can be successfully integrated into the PET recycling stream. By offering a 100% polyester solution with a high barrier, the PET/PEF multilayer bottle opens up new possibilities for sustainable packaging. It gives brand owners and manufacturers the confidence to use PEF as a functional barrier layer in their PET applications.”
According to Avantium, this certification means the bottle can be introduced into markets where PET recycling is common without additional measures. This aligns the product with the principles of the circular economy: the use of renewable raw materials combined with maintaining recyclability.
Next steps
Avantium has been working on scaling up PEF production to commercial scale since 2022. The company is building a facility in Delfzijl that will be capable of producing thousands of tons of PEF annually. RecyClass certification is a key milestone in preparing for larger-scale market launches.
For packaging manufacturers, this offers an opportunity to become more sustainable without having to adapt existing processes. For consumers, little appears to change: the bottle remains the same in appearance and use, but the environmental impact is lower.
RecyClass's recognition confirms that biobased alternatives are not only theoretically sustainable but also practically applicable in existing systems. This paves the way for broader adoption of innovative materials in the packaging industry.
Source: avantium
