Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has achieved a significant milestone in the food packaging industry with the launch of the first food packaging trays made entirely from 100% recycled PET (rPET) derived exclusively from trays. This breakthrough, part of kp’s Tray2Tray® initiative, marks a departure from the previous practice of using increasingly higher proportions of recovered PET material in food packaging trays.
Thomas Kure Jakobsen, President, Food Packaging at kp, expressed excitement about this innovation, stating, “As a bold innovator, we are thrilled to introduce the first-ever 100% rPET tray to the market.” He highlighted the environmental impact of traditional recycling methods, noting that only about 30% of rPET from plastic bottles is used in food packaging trays, with much of it not being recovered, leading to significant waste.
The Tray2Tray® initiative aims to establish a closed-loop system for PET flake from trays, ensuring that recycled PET from trays is used to create more trays rather than being downcycled. This achievement allows kp customers to access a fully circular tray solution for food packaging, contributing to their eco-tax and plastic tax obligations.
“We’re not just looking to move the needle on plastic tray sustainability; we’re aiming to begin the next era,” Jakobsen added. The 100% kp Tray2Tray® packaging offers a sustainable solution without compromising packaging performance, providing a glimpse into the future of tray packaging circularity.
This milestone aligns with kp’s commitment to sustainability and its mission to create a more sustainable packaging industry without compromising quality or safety, addressing consumer demands for more sustainable packaging solutions. The company’s supply chain is RecyClass certified, ensuring the safety, quality, and traceability of its PCR packaging solutions.