US additive and colour specialist Ampacet (Tarrytown, New York; www.ampacet.com) has introduced an additive designed to reduce the level of acetaldehyde (AA) in PET and rPET bottles, trays, and other beverage and food packaging.

Its AA Scavenger 0846 additive acts as a scavenging agent to reduce and control the level of acetaldehyde in bottle walls, protecting the contents from contamination and off taste.

At a very low addition rate, the additive reduces the migration of AA by up to 80% while maintaining product quality, says Ampacet.

Related: Ampacet launches PFAS-free additive for blown film extrusion

Acetaldehyde is a byproduct of thermal degradation of PET that can occur during PET processing extrusion or injection moulding. Controlling AA migration contributes to polyester recycling initiatives by allowing the use of higher percentages of rPET in preforms and bottles without affecting end-product taste.