Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable polymer materials, announced that its PET/PEF multilayer bottle is fully compatible with PET recycling. RecyClass, a European initiative for plastics circularity, evaluated the bottle and approved it.
Avantium’s PEF, branded releaf®, can be used in plant-based monolayer bottles. It also offers advantages when combined with PET in multilayer bottles. PEF acts as a barrier material, extending shelf life beyond what single-layer PET can provide.
Many multilayer PET bottles currently include nylon as a barrier. Nylon causes issues during PET recycling due to its incompatibility. PEF’s excellent barrier properties and similarity to PET make it a strong alternative.
The RecyClass PET Technical Committee tested Avantium’s multilayer bottle, which contains 10% releaf® RP90N PEF. Lab tests by PTI-Europe and Plastics Forming Enterprises confirmed full compatibility with PET recycling streams.
This approval means the PEF layer does not hinder recycling. RecyClass works with the US-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) to align testing standards. Avantium’s PEF also received APR Critical Guidance Recognition in 2023.
With both approvals, brand owners can confidently use PEF as a recyclable barrier layer in PET bottles. The validation also favors acceptance by national producer responsibility organizations (PROs). PROs oversee compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and fees.
Ingrid Goumans, Avantium’s Director of Public Affairs, stated, “This multilayer bottle enables brand owners and converters to adopt PEF as a functional, recyclable barrier. It opens new possibilities for environmentally friendly packaging solutions.”
This recognition supports the broader shift towards circular plastics. It helps ensure that multilayer PET bottles can be recycled efficiently, reducing plastic waste.
Avantium’s PEF, as a biodegradable and recyclable polyester, offers a promising alternative to traditional barrier materials. Its compatibility with existing recycling streams makes it a valuable innovation for sustainable packaging.
