Dear Readers,
Just four weeks ago, the PET industry came together at drinktec in Munich, an event that once again demonstrated the strength and creativity of our sector. Now, the momentum is taking us to Düsseldorf, where the K show will open its doors as the global stage for plastics and packaging. While it presents an economic challenge for many PET packaging exhibitors to participate in both exhibitions, it also enables the PET community to leverage these two global platforms with their PETspecific focus to discuss challenges and solutions.
While beverages, filling and end applications were the main topics at drinktec, K will focus on materials, machinery and technologies from all sectors of the plastics industry, with a particular emphasis on recycling. This is an area in which PET can once again demonstrate its leading role.
We are well aware of the challenges we face: regulatory targets, pressure from consumers, expectations from NGOs, and the need to increase the proportion of recycled content. At the same time, however, innovation is advancing rapidly. Recycling technologies are improving in terms of quality and scope. Lightweighting and recycling-friendly design continue to deliver new sustainable solutions. And with digitalisation and AI, process control and traceability, for example, are entering a new era.
Nevertheless, critical questions remain: Will the supply of rPET be sufficient to meet the ambitious targets? How can chemical and mechanical recycling effectively complement each other, and what are the benefits of doing so? What impact will energy and decarbonisation costs have on competitiveness? And how can PET continue to secure its position as the most recyclable packaging material on the market?
In the run-up to the K show, we talked about these questions when we visited Eastman in Ghent, Belgium. Check out the interview with Eric Dehouck (Managing Director of Eastman Circular Solutions Europe) and Matthias De Vel (Technology Group Leader for EMEA), starting on page 28, to find out what Eastman believes is needed to expand chemical recycling and build resilient circular economies worldwide.
At K 2025, we will see more solutions to the major challenges facing our industry. One thing is certain: also in Düsseldorf, we will experience the heartbeat of our industry first-hand, with opportunities for knowledge sharing, potential for collaboration, and a collective drive to move forward together.
As comPETence, we are delighted to accompany you on your journey from Munich to Düsseldorf and beyond. For 25 years, our PETnology platform has been bringing together expertise and vision, and we will continue to highlight breakthroughs and follow debates, thereby contributing to the future of PET packaging.
We wish you a successful K 2025.
Yours,
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Otto Appel
PETnology/tecPET GmbH
