In a significant development for the food packaging industry, Luxembourg-based Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has announced the launch of food packaging trays made entirely from recycled PET (rPET) derived exclusively from post-consumer trays.
Food trays nowadays incorporate increasing amounts of recovered PET content. But kp's Tray2Tray initiative takes a step forward by utilising only recycled tray material to create entirely new trays.
“We are proud to be pioneers in introducing the very first 100% rPET tray solution to the market,” said Thomas Kure Jakobsen, president of food packaging at kp. “This breakthrough signifies the immense potential achievable through the right blend of expertise and technology.”
"As a bold innovator, we are thrilled to introduce the first-ever 100% rPET tray to the market. This [...] is a major breakthrough in the packaging industry, and perfectly demonstrates what is possible with the right combination of expertise and technology.”
Most recycled PET originates from plastic bottles, with only 30% directed towards food trays, and a significant portion of that amount ultimately goes unrecovered. This linear system leads to the annual waste of countless tons of valuable rPET tray material.
“kp's Tray2Tray challenges this by creating a robust closed loop system of PET flake from trays,” explains Jakobsen. “We work with suppliers to create a separate supply stream of recycled PET from trays, which can be used to create more of the same, rather than being downcycled."
kp's adherence to RecyClass certification guarantees the safety, quality and traceability of its post-consumer recycled packaging products.
The new 100% kp Tray2Tray packaging presents a compelling option for businesses aiming to manage costs associated with eco-taxes and plastic tax legislation while simultaneously advancing their environmental, social and governance goals.
“One of the biggest advantages of partnering with kp and using kp Tray2Tray content is that it’s a perfect ‘drop in’ solution, so switching over is easy, and packaging performance isn’t compromised,” emphasised Jakobsen.
“Our 100% kp Tray2Tray packaging is a real, workable tray that offers a glimpse into the future of tray packaging circularity.”
The solution underscores kp's commitment to exceeding consumer demands for sustainable packaging options and pushing the boundaries of environmental responsibility within the packaging sector.
