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.
Recycled Materials and Take-Back Processes for Selected Plastic Packaging
Recycled materials are an important component of the circular economy. In this process, used plastics are collected, processed, and reused as recycled material in the manufacture of products and packaging. Depending on the material and application, recycled materials can replace certain proportions of virgin material.
Through our Rixius Circularity Program, we focus on solutions for the use of recycled materials in packaging. In doing so, we consider, among other factors, the material used, the recycled content, and the specific application. The properties of a packaging solution depend on the specific material, its composition, and the particular design.
The use of recycled materials can influence the product-related carbon footprint of a packaging solution. However, concrete statements regarding the extent of a potential CO₂ reduction or the life cycle assessment can only be reliably made based on a product-specific calculation. Therefore, a blanket statement about an environmental benefit cannot be derived solely from the use of recycled material.
Recycled materials can be used, in particular, when the technical requirements for the packaging are met with the available recycled material. Depending on the product, information can be provided on the recycled content, the type of recycled material—such as post-consumer recycled (PCR)—and available certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Recyclat” is an umbrella term for the following raw materials:
Shredded material = ground plastic waste with an uneven particle size
Regranulate = plastic waste processed through a remelting process and granulated without additives
Regenerate = plastic waste processed through a remelting process and granulated with additives
Recyclates are recycled materials obtained by processing previously used materials or products and subsequently reused in the manufacture of products or packaging. In the case of plastic packaging, a distinction is made between different types of recyclates, particularly between post-consumer recyclate (PCR) and post-industrial recyclate (PIR).
We recycle paper, metal, and glass—and we do it successfully. So why not plastic, too? The raw materials used to make plastic are becoming increasingly scarce, yet 15 million metric tons of waste end up in the world’s oceans every year*.
On top of that, demand—especially for packaging made from recycled materials—is growing, and recycled plastic is currently still about 20–30% more expensive than virgin plastic of the same quality.
It’s clear to everyone that this situation must change. A shift in thinking and action is needed on the part of industry, retailers, and consumers. After all, plastic waste isn’t just trash. The goal is to manage it effectively within a true circular economy for plastics.
* The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (2020)
☑ Waste and marine pollution are reduced
☑ The reused plastic has already completed one life cycle and is now being used again, rather than producing new plastic. This reduces the need for resources (especially those derived from fossil fuels).
☑ The carbon black contained in black plastic absorbs infrared radiation, which meant that dark-colored plastics were difficult to detect during the recycling process for a long time. However, sorting technology has since improved significantly.
☑ Availability and quality remain somewhat problematic.
☑ Higher costs (compared to virgin material) are associated with processing post-consumer plastic into recycled material.
☑ Recycled materials are harder to color. The result tends to be pastel shades without strong saturation.
Different types of plastics and poorly sorted waste make recycling more difficult. Unfortunately, in Germany, too large a proportion of plastic is still sent for energy recovery. We want to improve plastic recycling—with our Circularity Program, we are committed to a functioning, circular system.