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Thermoformer PWP Industries (Vernon, CA) plans to open an in-house recycling facility at its Mineral Wells, WV facility this year to help it convert post-consumer polyethyelene terephthalate (PCR-PET) packaging into food grade-suitable material. “Recycling PETE bottles will allow PWP to increase its product range containing post-consumer resin, save energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and keep plastic materials out of landfills,” said Ira Maroofian, the processor’s president and COO, in a statement.

Matt Defosse

April 27, 2009

1 Min Read
PWP to add PCR-PET capacity


PWP says it will work with Coca-Cola Recycling LLC in operating the recycling facility. Coca-Cola Enterprises formed the Recycling business in September 2007 to recover and recycle the packaging materials developed and used by Coca-Cola in North America. The Coca-Cola Company also announced plans to build a massive plastic bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in Spartanburg, SC as part of its stated goal of 100% recycling of its plastics packaging. That facility, with 45,000-tonne/year capacity, opened in January 2009.

In related news, PWP worked with sandwich chain Subway on a redesign of plastic salad bowls and lids. The redesign included a switch of materials from oriented polystyrene (OPS) to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with that PET including 10% PCR-PET content. Swirls were integrated into the bowls’ structure to reduce the surface area compared to straight walls and allowed for some light weighting. The diameter of the package also was changed from 10 inches to 9 while still maintaining the same 32 oz. volume.

PWP last year announced an expansion of its processing facilities in California and Texas. [email protected]

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