Phoenix Technologies broadens rPET pellet applications

Phoenix Technologies International, a producer of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) pellets, has announced it now has available a recycled plastic resin called LNO c melt-formed pellet that can be safely shipped in bulk applications.

By making the new rPET pellet available for transporting without losing any of the product’s desired color and low-acetaldehyde attributes found in the original compacted formulation, Phoenix says it is able to widen its potential end markets in the food, beverage and other applications.

Phoenix, based in Bowling Green, Ohio, says the new pellet has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a number of applications.

The company’s original LNO c is formed by compacting a fine grind powder. It was designed to provide optimum performance for “through the wall” bottle and container making operations.

The new LNO c melt-formed pellet, says the company, has been engineered to handle the rigors of bulk transport for larger, remote users whose production requires truckload or tanker deliveries.

“We view this as a hybrid product. Users will now get the handling benefits of a melt-form pellet, but still retain the great color and low acetaldehyde characteristics of the original compacted resin,” says Lori Carson, Phoenix Technologies director of commercial operations. “This means that larger volume users who have been evaluating the possibility of using rPET to produce containers now will have a new option.”

Phoenix says the LNO c line offers benefits in color and IV (intrinsic viscosity) properties that are greater than traditional rPET food grade resins. And for applications such as water bottles, LNO c resin offers exceptionally low levels of acetaldehyde, sometimes even below that of virgin resins, according to the company.

Phoenix’s proprietary rPET technology is used at up to 100 percent content to produce a variety of packaging containers and bottles for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, shampoos, soaps and detergents, the company says. Its resins also are used in nonpackaging applications, such as strapping and carpeting.