What actually is recyclate?
Recyclates are recycled plastics. There are two types of recyclates:
Post-Industrial Recyclate (PIR)
First, there are recyclates from industrial waste, i.e., waste from production, e.g., created during stamping or defective packaging that had not yet come into contact with filling media. These wastes are shredded and blended into the new raw materials at up to 40%. This form is also called 'regranulate', and the process is very often already used during the production of the finished parts.
Post-Consumer Recyclate (PCR)
Another form of recyclate is the so-called post-consumer recyclate (PCR). In this variant, plastic waste from private and commercial end consumers (yellow bag, recycling bin, or it is also possible to use marine litter recovered from the oceans) is recycled. These can include, for example, milk bottles, cleaning packaging, water bottles, etc. They are collected, shredded and specially processed.
Circularity instead of single-use – our Rixius Circularity Program
For us, sustainability means not only using new materials, but keeping raw materials in the cycle for as long as possible. With our Rixius Circularity Program we contribute actively: high-quality recyclates are produced from used plastics, which can be used again for packaging solutions. This creates a closed loop that conserves resources, reduces waste, and eases the burden on the environment.
Recyclates are an important building block of this idea. They combine proven material properties with a substantially better environmental footprint—and open up the possibility for you to package your products in a sustainable and forward-looking way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recyclate or reclaimed material is an umbrella term for the following raw materials:
- Milled material = ground plastic waste with uneven grain size
- Regranulate = plastic waste granulated without additives in a remelting process
- Regenerate = plastic waste granulated with additives in a remelting process
We recycle paper, metal, and glass—and we do it successfully. Why not plastic too? The raw materials used to manufacture plastic are becoming increasingly scarce, yet every year 15 million tons of waste end up in the world's oceans*.
In addition, demand – especially for packaging made from recycled materials – is growing, and recycled plastic is currently still around 20-30% more expensive than new material of the same quality.
It is clear to everyone that this situation must change. Industry, trade, and consumers need to rethink and redirect their approach. Because plastic waste is not garbage. It must be managed sensibly in a true circular economy for plastics.
* The High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy (2020)
☑ The recycled plastic has already gone through one life cycle and is now being used again instead of producing new plastic. This means that fewer resources (especially those of fossil origin) are required.
☑ Significantly reduces the carbon footprint
☑ The carbon black contained in black plastic absorbs infrared radiation, which meant that dark-colored plastics were difficult to detect in the recycling process for a long time. However, sorting technology has improved significantly in the meantime.
☑ Availability and quality are still somewhat problematic.
☑ Higher costs (compared to virgin material) for processing waste plastic into recyclate
☑ Recycled materials are more difficult to dye. It is easier to achieve pastel shades without strong saturation.
Different types of plastic and poorly sorted waste make recycling difficult. Unfortunately, too much waste in Germany is still sent for energy recovery. We want to improve plastic recycling—with our Circularity Program, we are committed to a functioning circular economy system.