What is PCR PET Resin’s Role in Sustainability?
Jun Tue 2025
The shift towards sustainability in the plastics industry has increased the demand for recycled materials like PCR PET resin and PCR PET dry blended resin. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what PCR PET resin or rPET is, its applications, its production process, how it promotes sustainability, and why InnoEco by GC resins are the ideal choice for sustainable packaging solutions. This includes innovations like Bottle-to-Bottle recycled systems that close the loop for PET bottle usage.
What is PCR PET Resin?
Post-Consumer Recycled PET resin, or PCR PET or rPET, is commonly sourced from used food packaging and beverages bottles made from PET plastic. By repurposing post-consumer plastic waste, PCR PET or rPET resin helps reduce the demand for virgin plastics and minimizes the environmental impact of plastic production and plastic waste. This recycled material is a sustainable solution for companies with sustainable and environmental goals. It also contributes to reducing overall GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions in the plastic lifecycle.
Applications of PCR PET or rPET Resin
PCR PET or rPET resin can be consumed for the production of a wide range of applications, particularly in packaging. Its versatility and durability make it an ideal choice for various products, including recycled beverage bottles for packaging water, juices, and other liquids. Food-contacted grades are suitable for containers that store and protect food items.
Production Process of PCR PET or rPET Resin
The mechanical recycling process of PCR PET or rPET resin involves several stages to ensure the quality and safety of the recycled material:
1. Collection
Post-consumer PET bottles and containers are collected through recycling programs and initiatives. This step is essential for gathering the raw materials needed for recycling.
2. Sorting
The collected plastics are sorted to remove any non-PET materials and contaminants. Advanced sorting technologies ensure that high-quality PET materials are used in the production process.
3. Cleaning
The sorted PET plastics are thoroughly cleaned to remove labels, then grinding and washing to remove adhesives and any remaining impurities. This step ensures that the recycled materials are free from contaminants that could affect the quality of the final product.
4. Processing
The cleaned PET flakes are sorted to remove any non-PET materials and then processed into pellets. This involves melting the plastic and extruding it into the desired shape and removing contaminants in plastics. The material is further refined to ensure quality consistency. Envicco, a leader in high-quality recycled PET production in Thailand, exemplifies this process with advanced mechanical recycling technology.
5. rPET Dry Blended Process
Some resins undergo a specific method known as PCR PET dry blended, which involves blending recycled PET with virgin PET to serve customers who initially require minimum recycled material content for ensuring product properties consistency.
How PCR PET Promotes Sustainability
PCR PET resin plays a significant role in promoting sustainability through several key aspects:
- Circular Economy: PCR PET resin supports the circular economy by recycling post-consumer plastics and converting them into new products. This approach minimizes waste and keeps materials in use longer.
- Waste Reduction: Utilizing PCR PET resin reduces the volume of plastic waste in landfills or oceans. This helps lessen pollution and the harmful effects of plastic waste on ecosystems.
- Conservation of Resources: Using recycled materials reduces the demand for raw petrochemical resources, conserving natural resources required for new plastic production.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: The production of PCR PET resin typically emits fewer greenhouse gases than virgin plastic production, contributing to a reduction in overall carbon emissions.
- Consumer Awareness and Responsibility: Using PCR PET resin in products raises consumers’ awareness of the importance of recycling and sustainability. It encourages responsible consumption and supports a market for recycled products.
Regulatory Compliance: Many regions have environmental regulations encouraging or mandating the use of recycled materials. Using PCR PET resin helps businesses comply with these regulations, which promote sustainable practices. It also aligns with policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), encouraging producers to take ownership of the entire product lifecycle.
Is PCR PET Resin More Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of PCR PET resin depends on various factors, including feedstock limitations, market situations, supply chain and logistics, and production processes. The rise in corporate sustainability commitments and strengthened government regulations has significantly boosted demand for recycled content, while growing supply capacity is helping stabilize and enhance PCR’s price competitiveness in the market. Moreover, utilizing recycled plastic, companies can enhance their brand value, which attracts more environmentally conscious consumers and potentially increases sales and customer loyalty. In addition, using PCR PET resin helps companies comply with environmental regulations, avoiding potential fines and penalties that may be incurred for non-compliance.
InnoEco by GC PCR Resins
PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited or GC offers InnoEco by GC. PCR resins to produce high-quality recycled plastic products. Our InnoEco by GC are known for their exceptional quality and environmental benefits. They’re produced with meticulous quality control to ensure the final product is odorless, free from contamination, and maintains the necessary mechanical properties. Our PCR PET resins are food-contact certified to meet stringent food safety standards of the Thai FDA, making them suitable for packaging food and beverages.
Contact us for more information.