The Itene technology centre has developed new biological and chemical processes that make it possible to recover multilayer, monolayer and coloured PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic packaging waste that is difficult to recycle mechanically or is not currently recycled. This research has been carried out between June 2022 and the same month of this year in the RecyPET project, financed by the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (Ivace) with Feder funds.

The head of the project in Itene, Antonio Dobón, stressed that “the processes developed contribute to achieving the objectives of circular economy established at European and national level through the reduction of waste incinerated or deposited in landfills and its recovery to be used in obtaining new raw materials reintroduced into the value chain”.

In particular, the recycling drive is in line with the Royal Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which sets a target of at least 25% recycled plastic in PET packaging by 2025. In addition, the content of recycled material in the packaging represents a way to achieve exemption from paying the tax on virgin plastic that came into force in January, in accordance with the Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy, explained Itene sources in a press release.