June, 27, 2013 - A poll conducted by Abipet (Brazilian Association fot the PET Industry) points that Brazil has given the correct destination to 331 thousand tons of PET packaging in 2012

The recycling of PET bottles in Brazil jumped in 2012 and increased 12.6% in volume (from 294 tons in 2011 to 331 tons last year). With this result, the country has achieved a recycling rate of 59%, keeping its position as one of the largest recyclers of PET in the world - surpassing the United States and even the average recorded in Europe.

The numbers of the 9th Poll on PET Recycling in Brazil were released by the Brazilian Association of PET (Abipet) during PETtalk 2013 - International Conference of the PET Industry, held in São Paulo last June, 26-27.

"The figures show that there is a very strong demand for recycled PET, created by the industry itself, which invests in innovation and new applications for recycled material in a continuous basis. This work has created a virtuous cycle. All collected PET has a guaranteed proper disposal, ensured by an industry which is strong, diverse and eager for this raw material, "said Auri Marçon, president of Abipet.

The textile sector remains the main consumer of recycled PET, with a 38.2% share, followed by alkyd and unsaturated resins, with 23.9%. Other packaging industries (food and non-food) consume 18.3% of the recycled volume. Rolls and sheet (6.4%), tapes (5.5%) and tubes (1.5%) are other major markets. The remaining 6.1% still supply a comprehensive list of small applications.

Selective collection remains the challenge

Abipet's, however, draws attention to the need of meeting this strong demand, otherwise there will be an impact on the price of the collected product and a resulting impairment of business sustainability. "Brazil needs to invest in selective collection, so that the industry is not undermined. In many periods of the year, recycling companies operate with an idleness that reaches 30% of its production, because they don´t have post-consumer packaging to recycle, "says Marçon.

The solution, according to Mr. Marçon, is to encourage municipalities to deploy, as soon as possible, systems for selective collection and separation of recyclable packaging, in order to increase the recovery of the material discarded by communities. "This is actually what it said in the National Solid Waste Policy, which requires a shared responsibility among the communities, the private sector and also the government. The PET industry has invested heavily in recycling and today the recyclers undergo a tough time for not collecting enough to supply their factories, "concluded the president of Abipet.

Source: Abipet