Phoenix Technologies’ rPET process gets EFSA approval

Phoenix Technologies International, a producer of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), has been given a 'green light' by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its manufacturing process based on extra small particle size technology.

EFSA's panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavorings and processing aids is responsible for the recycling process safety assessment. The panel concluded that "the recycled PET obtained from the process Phoenix ESPS [extra small particle size] intended to be used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long term storage at room temperature, with or without hot-fill is not considered of safety concern."

"The reason Phoenix pursued this certification is because many of our rPET customers are large global brand owners who sell their products into the European marketplace. This certification gives them an additional comfort level that rPET produced via this process can be used as an 'up to' 100% replacement for virgin PET without any safety issues," said Lori Carson, director of commercial operations.

Phoenix's recycling process has been allocated the EU register No RECYC035. Additionally, the company previously has been issued "letters of no objection" for its rPET small particle process by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Health Canada. 

The company's proprietary rPET technology is used to produce a variety of packaging containers and bottles for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, shampoos, soaps and detergents. Its resins are also used in non-packaging applications such as strapping, carpeting and others.