PET RECYCLING EUROPE
Collection rises in 2014 / Operating rate drops as recycled volumes fall / Petcore Europe report
 Much remains to be done in the future despite unmistakable recycling success in Europe (Photo: photka - Fotolia) |
More than half of the European market’s PET bottles and containers were collected and recycled last year, but processed volumes fell below the amount collected, according to a new report compiled for Petcore Europe (Brussels / Belgium; www.petcore.org). The survey conducted by PCI PET Packaging Resin & Recycling (Speldhurst, Kent / UK; www.pcipetpackaging.co.uk) found that the equivalent of 66 bn 1.5l PET bottles were collected in 2014, representing 57% of bottles and containers placed on the market. PET collection in Europe last year grew by 6.8% compared with 2013 to reach 1.8m t. Demand for bottles and containers in 2014 is estimated at 3.1m t, with demand growth for PET increasing by 4.8%.
However, the industry’s operating rate fell from 83% in 2013 to 79% last year, with 1.7m t of PET recycled versus installed processing capacity of around 2.1m t, Petcore said.
The amount of PET that was processed also fell below the volume collected. According to survey participants, this difference was as a result of Europe-wide process losses, maintenance shutdowns as well as programmed shift and production schedules being adjusted to meet available bale supplies. The issue surround bale supplies was cited as one of the main factors behind the lower productivity.
Patrick Peuch, executive director of Petcore Europe, said the results clearly show the need for a two-sided approach. “On one hand, our industry has to work together to align the collection processes to deliver increased recycling objectives. On the other hand, consumers have to be more engaged,” he said.
Pricing through the recycled PET chain and pressure from low virgin PET prices in the fourth quarter 2014 were particular challenges facing the industry last year. Petcore said the evolution of PET pricing and demand for recycled PET remains uncertain for the future – see recent PET price report at Plasteurope.com of 03.09.2015.
The results of the survey will be presented during Petcore Europe’s annual conference in Brussels on 24 November 2015 – see Plasteurope.com of 02.07.2015.
However, the industry’s operating rate fell from 83% in 2013 to 79% last year, with 1.7m t of PET recycled versus installed processing capacity of around 2.1m t, Petcore said.
The amount of PET that was processed also fell below the volume collected. According to survey participants, this difference was as a result of Europe-wide process losses, maintenance shutdowns as well as programmed shift and production schedules being adjusted to meet available bale supplies. The issue surround bale supplies was cited as one of the main factors behind the lower productivity.
Patrick Peuch, executive director of Petcore Europe, said the results clearly show the need for a two-sided approach. “On one hand, our industry has to work together to align the collection processes to deliver increased recycling objectives. On the other hand, consumers have to be more engaged,” he said.
Pricing through the recycled PET chain and pressure from low virgin PET prices in the fourth quarter 2014 were particular challenges facing the industry last year. Petcore said the evolution of PET pricing and demand for recycled PET remains uncertain for the future – see recent PET price report at Plasteurope.com of 03.09.2015.
The results of the survey will be presented during Petcore Europe’s annual conference in Brussels on 24 November 2015 – see Plasteurope.com of 02.07.2015.
16.09.2015 Plasteurope.com 940 [232204-0]
Published on 16.09.2015
German version of this article...