PETCORE EUROPE’s Thermoforming Working Group develops, understands and promotes best practices in PET Thermoformed Packaging and its impacts on recycling and circularity.

PET thermoformed packaging represents 25% of PET packaging in Europe. It plays a critical role in food safety and the reduction of food waste and has historically been the hub for recycled PET in Europe.

Our Working Group seeks to align all value chain participants behind design for recycling guidelines that optimise the collection, sorting and recycling of post-consumer PET packaging and ensure the accomplishment PPWR and SUP Directives and also meet the requirements of food contact regulation.

We interact closely with the Tray Circularity Europe Platform (TCEP) and other Working Groups such as Labels in rolling out the strategy and supporting stakeholders to meet design for recyclability objectives though the application of the circularity evaluation protocols.

 

Working to meet the requirements of the PPWR

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) impacts the design guidelines and subsequent development of CEN standardisation works that will lead to certain limitations in the use of some Thermoformed packaging components. Regulation 2022/1616 will play a critical role in maintaining high levels of protection of human health related to food packaging complying with the level of recycled content stated in PPWR.

Activities aligned with PETCORE EUROPE’s Mission to:

  • ensure that the entire PET industry is well aligned to enhance its value and sustainable growth,
  • represent the PET industry towards the European institutions and other stakeholders,
  • ensure that PET is positioned as an outstanding packaging material and recognised as environmentally sound,
  • support and validate innovative packaging solutions from a recycling perspective,
  • work with all interested parties to ensure a continuous increase in PET post-consumer collection and recycling.

 

Working Group deliverables

  • Guidelines for Sustainable Thermoformed Packaging design: Best practices and technical design guidelines (materials, lidding films, labels, adhesives…) that are compatible with PET recycling.
  • Technical Reports and Case Studies: Publications highlighting the impact of various designs on the recyclability of PET thermoformed packaging, including concrete examples and case studies of successful circular packaging design.
  • Standardised Testing Protocols: Sharing activities of TCEP Protocols among stakeholders.
  • Tray circularity Certification Programme: A certification programme that helps companies identify and adopt packaging designs that meet specific recyclability standards, promoting sustainability in PET trays.
  • Collaborative Research Initiatives: Joint research projects with thermoforming packaging stakeholders (manufacturers, recyclers, Packers, EPR´s…) to innovate and improve technologies that support PET circularity.
  • Educational Workshops and Training: Organising training sessions, webinars, and workshops for stakeholders across the PET value chain (packaging designers, brand owners, recyclers) to increase awareness of sustainable practices.
  • Regular Updates on Regulatory Requirements: Monitoring information on evolving regulatory frameworks concerning PET packaging and recycling, ensuring stakeholders are informed about compliance and sustainability obligations.
  • Market Impact Assessments (LCA): Studies evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of adopting recyclable-friendly label designs across the PET packaging industry.
  • Annual Conference: Reports tracking the progress of the working group’s initiatives, achievements in promoting try circularity, and overall contribution to PETCORE EUROPE’s mission.

Our Working Group has developed a number of task forces to improve labels circularity:

  • TF1- Collection and Sorting
  • TF2.- Recycling Technology
  • TF3.- Food Contact regulation accomplishment
  • TF4.- Standardisation (Design for recycling and Link to TCEP)
  • TF5.- Communication.

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview on the membership fees, please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..