Name
Value Chain Implications from Increased rPET Content
Steve Lyons
Date
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Time
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM (CST)
Location Name
AT&T Conference Center - Zlotnik Grand Ballroom
Description

An exciting movement is underway to effectively triple the amount of recycle rPET content in packaging within a few years. Brands, legislative bodies, and NGO’s are making commitments to drive and support recycling that addresses plastic waste. While this concerted effort is timely and well-intended, it has implications on our complicated value chains that reach beyond the details we see in the news. Process partners such as brands, reclaimers, and converters are at the forefront of these rPET growth projects. But other value chain members such as MRF’s, raw materials producers, and even wide spec/off-class consumers could be impacted by rapidly increased recycle content. We will examine the USMCA value chain and the possible implications on key elements as the PET industry journeys towards a 25% average recycle content by 2025. 

• The USMCA PET value chain is a complicated network of partners working in balance to supply/produce this most widely used and versatile plastic packaging.
• Increasing average rPET package content from ~8% to ~25% by 2025 would impact many steps in the value chain beyond vPETE production and rPET reclaimers.  
• A holistic view of the interconnected PET value chain will help us understand the less obvious implications from increased rPET content and reduced vPET production.