When you grab a plastic water bottle on the go, chances are it’s made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). While PET is a lightweight, resin-based polyester, its production process is not very eco-friendly. However, PET bottles are highly recyclable, and their recycled form, known as rPET (Recycled PET), is a better and more eco-friendly packaging alternative than virgin PET bottles. In the bustling streets of India, a quiet revolution is underway. As consumers reach for their favourite beverages on the go, the familiar sight of PET bottles is evolving, giving way to a more sustainable alternative – rPET (Recycled PET). While PET has long been the go-to material for packaging, its production process raises environmental concerns. However, with the rise of rPET, a new era of eco-friendly packaging is dawning, promising a brighter, greener future for India and beyond.
The Benefits of rPET in India
rPET plastic is very sustainable, as it can be 100% completely recycled: bottle, label, and cap. This means that rPET bottles have a lower carbon footprint than virgin PET bottles, and it takes less energy to recycle and create an rPET bottle than to manufacture a virgin PET one. In India, the use of rPET is gaining popularity, with major companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi adopting sustainable packaging solutions.
rPET: A Closed-Loop Recycling Process
rPET is part of a closed material cycle, where new bottles are made from old ones. This process involves collecting and preparing empty PET packaging for recycling. The PET is sorted, cleaned, and shredded to produce flakes, which are then melted to make small PET preforms that are inflated into a bottle and filled.
In India, the recycling of PET bottles is becoming more widespread. For example, Coca-Cola India has launched a 100% rPET bottle for its packaged drinking water brand Kinley, which is currently sold in one-litre bottles. The launch of the rPET bottle became possible after the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved the use of recycled PET in food packaging, following a thorough review of the material regarding food safety and compliance with its guidelines.
rPET: Strong, Flexible, and Safe
rPET bottles are just as strong and durable as their virgin PET counterparts, making them a reliable choice for packaging and transportation. The rPET used for drink bottles meets the very highest hygiene standards and is food-safe.
rPET: A Key Component of a Circular Economy
rPET is a key component of a circular economy, where materials are constantly reused and recycled, reducing waste and the environmental impact of production. Many companies are adopting rPET as a sustainable packaging solution.
For example, Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland has achieved a recycling rate of over 57% across its full range of beverages, with a goal of reaching 63% by 2021. In India, the recycled PET (r-PET) bottles market size was valued at USD 10.67 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.35% from 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly USD 17.53 billion.
Now is the ideal time for manufacturers to transition to rPET, as the demand for sustainable packaging solutions is at an all-time high. With consumers increasingly prioritising eco-friendly options, embracing rPET allows manufacturers to meet market demand while reducing their environmental footprint. Moreover, rPET's versatility extends beyond beverage bottles to a wide array of applications, including food containers, personal care products, and textiles. Its adaptability makes it an excellent choice for brands seeking to align with sustainability goals while maintaining product quality and integrity. By making the switch to rPET, manufacturers can seize the opportunity to innovate, differentiate, and lead in the sustainable packaging landscape
Call to Action for JB Ecotex
At JB Ecotex, we are committed to supporting a sustainable future by manufacturing high-quality, bottle-to-bottle grade rPET resins. Our rPET resins are designed to be recycled repeatedly, reducing waste and the environmental impact of production. We use advanced technology to ensure that our rPET resins meet the highest hygiene standards and are food-safe, making them perfect for packaging beverages and other food products. Our state-of-the-art facility, armed with Erema Vaccunite Technology, in India allows us to produce large quantities of mechanically rPET resins while maintaining strict quality control measures.
