European Plastics Recyclers See Increase in Collection Levels

Petcore announced that European post-sorting PET collection reached 1.13 million metric tons last year, a 20 percent increase from the prior year.

Despite the increase, Petcore reported that only 40 percent of all PET bottles were collected for recycling purposes. The overall share of fibers as an end use for recycled PET decreased from 52 percent to 47 percent, although the tonnage processed continued to grow.

Broken out by end markets, sheet market tonnage increased and its share rose to 24 percent. Blow molding grew, with almost 18 percent additional material consumed last year. The tonnage used in strapping also increased 32 percent for the year. Exports to the Far East remained at around 14 percent of collected PET, but tonnage jumped by 36 percent.

"I am delighted with the continued increase in PET collection throughout Europe and our high rate of recycling. 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, Petcore’s chairman.

Bertaggia added that the association’s task will be to ensure that the growth in PET recycling continues such that it remains an important mainstay in meeting future recycling legislation.

Petcore estimated that there is a total European mechanical reclamation nameplate capacity of 1.2 million metric tons this year, with about 100,000 metric tons of extra capacity planned.