Sustainable packaging solutions provider Resilux has teamed up with Belgium-based dairy products producer Inex to improve the circularity of ultra-high temperature-milk packaging.

Together, the companies have developed the Rebirth series, a sustainable and circular solution that enables the recycling of empty used white opaque milk bottles into new ones.

The partners have also joined forces with waste management service Fost+ to help sort the collected milk bottles as a separate stream, revalorised, and recycled.

The white polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are then sorted, ground, washed, and regranulated into food-grade feedstock. This process is undertaken by Resilux’s Poly Recycling division.

Compared with high-density PET bottles, the closed-loop Rebirth series has 20% to 40% less weight, according to Resilux.

In addition, Inex’s aseptic PET line offers the flexibility to switch between different bottle sizes.

To improve the ecological value and convenience for end consumers, the PET bottles come with no aluminium seal and can be stored horizontally without any leakage.

Resilux CEO Dirk De Cuyper said: "At Resilux, we believe in the power of collaboration to address the pressing environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

"By joining forces with Inex, we have achieved to develop our Rebirth series, an innovation that significantly reduces the reliance on virgin PET resources for packaging.

“This breakthrough enables us to recycle white opaque bottles into new ones without compromising on food safety or quality, while also providing optimal protection for a longer shelf life, through our ResiBlock light barrier solutions."

The partnership is part of Resilux's People, Planet, Product strategy to collaborate with customers and stakeholders to develop the best solutions for their respective products.

Headquartered in Belgium, Resilux manufactures PET bottles and preforms, serving Europe and the US.