PET/polyester is used everywhere – from bottles and food packaging to clothes and healthcare products. It accounts for around a quarter of plastic packaging and the vast majority of synthetic textiles used in Europe.
What might a PET/polyester system look like, if it could combine all circular economy approaches including demand reduction, reuse, mechanical recycling and chemical recycling? And what will it take to get there?
A new study published by Systemiq presents a comprehensive roadmap for achieving a high–circularity, low–emissions system for PET packaging and polyester textiles in Europe.
It comes at a time when the PET and polyester market in Europe is undergoing a major transformation: novel recycling technologies are emerging, policies are mandating higher targets for reuse, recycling and recycled content of plastic packaging, and the regulatory process to build a more circular textiles system is gathering pace.
Within this context, the study ‘Circular PET and Polyester: A circular economy blueprint for packaging and textiles in Europe’ provides the first system-level analysis of how different circular economy solutions for PET and polyester could fit together to limit demand, achieve high levels of reuse and recycling, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It outlines six priority actions across the entire plastics life-cycle from production through to end-of-life to transform the PET/polyester system.
By 2040, these measures could deliver remarkable results when compared to a continuation of historical trends:
- A one-third reduction in overall PET/polyester consumption
- A 70% decrease in waste to landfill or incineration
- A 50% reduction in GHG emissions
- The creation of 28,000 net new jobs and an additional €5.5 billion per year in revenues for the recycling industry
- Ensuring a sufficient supply of recycled content to meet the requirements of the draft Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Building on this study, additional analysis was published in February 2024. The Circular PET and Polyester issue brief explores the potential impacts of recycled PET imports on the system vision for a circular PET/polyester economy in Europe. It was prepared by Systemiq and was commissioned and funded by Eastman and Plastics Recyclers Europe.
State of PET/polyester circularity in Europe – Synthesis of published research
The study is the second in a series and builds on a synthesis study published in early 2023. Drawing on insights sourced from 80+ published reports, along with input from industry experts, the synthesis study evaluated the current state of PET/polyester circularity in Europe and the solutions available to build a more circular system.
The series of studies was developed by Systemiq with strategic guidance and comprehensive review from an independent Steering Group comprising experts from the public sector, academia, civil society and industry. The report series was commissioned and funded by Eastman and Interzero.
Circular PET and Polyester
Main Report
Executive summary
Technical appendix
Issue brief
Circularity of PET/polyester packaging and textiles in Europe
Circularité des emballages et textiles en PET/polyester en Europe
Vers un système PET/polyester circulaire
Webinar recording – Maximum circularity for PET packaging and textiles
The study team would welcome questions, challenges, relevant data points and information about published or ongoing studies that are not referenced in the two studies. Please contact us at [email protected].
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This study is part of the Breaking the Plastic Wave series
