Summary of recent rPET price developments

  • North America:US$1.69/KG, unchanged
  • Europe:US$1.83/KG, -1.1% down
  • Northeast Asia:US$1.25/KG, unchanged

The chart below shows the recent rPET price developments and the outlook. It takes a moment to load.

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rPET food grade price index

This post is a summary of the rPET food grade price developments. The price developments of rPET food grade are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. rPET food grade price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook of rPET food grade prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

  • Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of rPET food grade prices
  • Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of rPET food grade
  • Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of rPET food grade prices
  • Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the rPET food grade market
  • Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the rPET food grade price chart

 

What is rPET 

rPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate, which is a type of plastic that is made from recycled PET plastic. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a thermoplastic polymer resin commonly used to make beverage bottles, food packaging, and other consumer products.

rPET is made by collecting and recycling PET plastic waste, such as bottles and containers, and processing it to create new plastic products. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans and conserves natural resources by decreasing the need for virgin plastic production.

rPET is used in a wide range of products, including clothing, textiles, carpets, and packaging materials. It has many of the same properties as virgin PET, including durability, flexibility, and transparency, making it a popular choice for many applications.

 

What is rPET used for

rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) is a type of plastic that is made from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. It has many uses in various industries, such as:

Beverage bottles

rPET can be used to make new beverage bottles, which are then used for packaging water, soft drinks, and other beverages.

Food packaging

rPET can be used to make food packaging containers, trays, and boxes.

Textiles

rPET can be used to make polyester fabrics, such as clothing, bedding, and upholstery.

Industrial packaging

rPET can be used to make containers, boxes, and trays for industrial and commercial products.

Construction materials

rPET can be used to make insulation materials, such as panels and sheets.

Electronics

rPET can be used to make electronic components, such as computer cases and circuit boards.

Overall, rPET is a versatile material that has many applications across different industries. Its use helps to reduce plastic waste and conserve natural resources by decreasing the need for virgin plastic production.

 

What types of rPET are there

There are two main types of rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) based on the source of the recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic: post-consumer and post-industrial rPET.

Post-consumer rPET

This type of rPET is made from PET plastic waste that comes from products that have been used and discarded by consumers, such as water bottles, soda bottles, and food containers. This is the most common type of rPET and is considered to be the more sustainable option since it diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans.

Post-industrial rPET

This type of rPET is made from PET plastic waste that is generated during the manufacturing process, such as scrap material from the production of plastic bottles or containers. This type of rPET is also sustainable since it reuses plastic waste that would otherwise be discarded.

Both types of rPET have similar properties to virgin PET and can be used in a variety of applications, including textiles, packaging materials, and construction materials. Post-consumer rPET is generally considered to be the more sustainable option since it diverts plastic waste from the environment and reduces the need for virgin plastic production.

 

How is rPET produced

rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) is produced through a process that involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and processing PET plastic waste into new plastic products. The general steps for producing rPET are as follows:

Collection

PET plastic waste is collected from consumers, recycling centers, and industrial sources.

Sorting

The collected plastic waste is sorted based on the type of plastic, color, and other characteristics.

Cleaning

The sorted plastic waste is cleaned to remove any contaminants such as labels, adhesives, and other impurities.

Shredding

The cleaned plastic waste is then shredded into small pieces or flakes.

Melting

The shredded plastic flakes are melted and purified to remove any remaining impurities.

Extrusion

The purified molten plastic is then extruded into pellets or sheets.

Manufacturing

The rPET pellets or sheets are then used to produce new plastic products, such as bottles, packaging materials, textiles, and other products.

The process for producing rPET may vary depending on the type of plastic waste being recycled and the specific requirements of the end product. However, the general steps outlined above provide an overview of the process for producing rPET.

 

What drives the cost of rPET

The cost of rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Availability and demand for recycled PET

The availability and demand for recycled PET can affect the cost of rPET. If there is a shortage of recycled PET, the cost of rPET can increase. Conversely, if there is an oversupply of recycled PET, the cost of rPET can decrease.

Processing and transportation costs

The cost of processing and transporting the recycled PET can also affect the cost of rPET. The more processing and transportation required, the higher the cost of rPET.

Quality of the recycled PET

The quality of the recycled PET can affect the cost of rPET. Higher quality recycled PET, which is free of impurities and defects, is generally more expensive.

Cost of virgin PET

The cost of virgin PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can also influence the cost of rPET. If the cost of virgin PET is low, the cost of rPET may also be low, as manufacturers may opt to use virgin PET instead of rPET.

Regulations and taxes

Regulations and taxes can also affect the cost of rPET. For example, taxes on virgin plastic may increase the demand for rPET, which can increase the cost of rPET.

Overall, the cost of rPET is influenced by various factors, including availability, quality, and demand for recycled PET, as well as processing and transportation costs, and regulations and taxes.

 

How big is the global rPET market

The global rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) market has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by increasing demand for sustainable packaging and the need to reduce plastic waste. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global rPET market size was valued at USD 9.62 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 18.81 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2021 to 2028.

The demand for rPET is being driven by various factors, including:

Increased focus on sustainability

Consumers and businesses are increasingly focused on sustainability and reducing their environmental footprint, which is driving demand for eco-friendly packaging materials like rPET.

Government initiatives

Governments are implementing regulations and policies to promote recycling and reduce plastic waste, which is driving demand for rPET.

Growing demand for packaged products

The increasing demand for packaged products in various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, and personal care, is driving demand for sustainable packaging materials like rPET.

Advancements in recycling technology

Advancements in recycling technology are making it easier and more cost-effective to produce rPET, which is driving growth in the rPET market.

Overall, the global rPET market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions and the need to reduce plastic waste.

 

Which countries produce the most rPET

The production of rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) is a global industry, and many countries are involved in the production of rPET. However, there are a few countries that produce the majority of the world’s rPET. According to a report by Grand View Research, the top rPET producing countries in 2020 were:

China

China is the largest producer of rPET in the world, accounting for approximately 50% of global production. China’s dominance in the rPET market is due to its large manufacturing sector and the availability of cheap labor.

  1. Europe: Europe is the second-largest producer of rPET, accounting for approximately 25% of global production. The European Union has implemented several initiatives to promote recycling and reduce plastic waste, which has led to increased production of rPET in the region.

  2. United States: The United States is the third-largest producer of rPET, accounting for approximately 10% of global production. The demand for sustainable packaging solutions in the United States has driven growth in the rPET market in recent years.

  3. Japan: Japan is a significant producer of rPET, accounting for approximately 5% of global production. Japan has implemented several policies and initiatives to promote recycling and reduce plastic waste, which has led to increased production of rPET in the country.

Other countries, including India, Brazil, and Mexico, are also involved in the production of rPET, but their production levels are relatively lower compared to the top producing countries.

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