With the strategic partnership, the companies are facing the pressing task of avoiding plastic waste, initially geared towards the European market. The cooperation includes the implementation and market launch of revolPET® technology, a form of monomer recycling. In this way, PET plastics are returned to their starting materials and the resource cycle is completely closed.
After the already successful cooperation in research, Leistritz Extrusionstechnik and RITTEC Umwelttechnik have set further common goals: A first turnkey system for processing ten thousand tons of input material per year is expected to be built and put into operation by the end of 2021. For this, Leistritz brings in its technology for high-performance extruders and also its knowledge in project management in the design and implementation of complete technical systems. Leistritz Managing Director Anton Fürst is working on expanding the recycling business area: “We have been working intensively in this segment for years. Downcycling or non-recyclable plastic compounds are the limiting factor here.With the revolPET approach, you are taking a big step towards successful chemical recycling. ”Because EU legislation (Single Used Plastic Directive, (EU) 2019/904) requires vigorous action: Beverage bottles alone, regardless of deposit systems, should be until 2029 are collected and recycled with a share of 90 percent.
Serve PET growth markets
The technology revolPET, which was developed as part of a BMBF-funded research project, offers urgently needed recycling options for the various types of packaging in the cosmetics, food and cleaning agent sectors, thereby opening up large growth markets. So far, multilayer and opaque packaging has been a problem for recycling. Thanks to the innovative revolPET process, no restrictions are placed on the raw materials. Carsten Eichert from RITTEC Umwelttechnik: "Our vision is that our technology helps to solve the global challenge around PET packaging." In Germany and in the dual system alone, around 200,000 tons of PET packaging can be HTP 2017) cannot be recycled,they end up in incineration - the estimates for Europe are at least 1.4 million tons.
With its patented revolPET technology and basic engineering, RITTEC Umwelttechnik makes a valuable contribution to the further development of PET recycling. RITTEC also has extensive knowledge in the areas of depolymerization and monomer purification. In their partnership, RITTEC and Leistritz rely on the funding and implementation of further research projects in order to jointly advance and optimize the technology and to develop additional processes.
