PET – DESIGN FOR RECYCLING
Support the circular economy and create your own closed loop
PET is one of the most suitable polymers for recycling. PET, short for polyethylene terephthalate, has an outstanding environmental profile because of its recyclability. Unfortunately, a significant amount of valuable PET material is not being recycled at this moment and thus discarded otherwise. DuFor develops various innovative polyester raw materials which are fully recyclable and focus on the entire polyester life cycle. Enhancing polyesters’ qualities while preserving their recyclability is our specialty. We also work on the development of polyester-based solutions to replace (or combine) materials that are less recyclable or have a larger environmental impact. We believe that taking recyclability into account already in the developmental stage of new raw materials is critical to creating a completely circular economy.
PET for packaging
The European Plastics Strategy mandates that all plastic packaging in the European market is 100% recyclable by 2030, which makes recycling-friendly design necessary. Our polyester specialties can be added to your PET packaging without reducing its recyclability. Along with our customers, we create the optimal balance of low environmental impact and high product performance. We can assist you in selecting the appropriate materials to optimize your packaging and production processes while maintaining full recyclability. Because polyesters are simply too valuable to be discarded once they have served their purpose.
DuFor provides premium specialty PET grades based on recycled and/or virgin raw materials that are designed for both flexible and rigid packaging. We also provide specialty PET ideal for various injection molding and extrusion apllications. Whenever we use recycled content, we make sure these recycled polyesters are of comparable quality, functionality, and feel to those made from virgin polyester.
Mechanical and depolymerisation recycling of PET
In 2013, our sister company Cumapol Polyester Upgrading began recycling post-consumer bottles into a rPET grade suited for direct food contact, as well as developing unique grades made from recycled PET. Mechanical recycling is effective for clear plastic bottles, but it still leaves a large amount of polyester waste unusable. Heavy-colored materials and other non-food polyesters are not appropriate feedstock for this process. This type of waste asks for new ways of recycling. That is why we are one of the founding companies of CuRe Technology. A company that is developing revolutionary new recycling technologies.
CuRe focusses on an end-to-end partial depolymerization method that converts polyester waste into high-quality rPET in a profitable and environmentally friendly manner. Chemical processes can open up the polyester molecule chain, making it possible to decolorize and decontaminate it before returning it to its original molecular structure. If done properly, the polyester preserves its properties, allowing us to recycle it over and over again. Additionally, the characteristics of the polyester can be modified during the CuRe recycling process to make it suitable for many different applications.
DuFor has taken many steps towards circularity, but there are still many areas for improvement. Together with you we want to take it to the next level.
Are you looking for unique rPET raw materials?