UV barriers developed by Avient and destined for PET bottles are approved as limited compatible with the PET bottles recycling stream in Europe.
Avient Corporation’s technologies for UV barriers, developed to protect PET packaging and its contents from the degradation effects of light and UV radiation, are the first to receive a RecyClass Recyclability Approval.
The approval is awarded to specific UV barrier grades from Avient’s Cesa Light Additives and ColorMatrix Ultimate UV Light Barrier for PET portfolio. The three approved formulations are:
- Cesa Light Additives FEA0050148
- Cesa Light Additives FEA0050249
- ColorMatrix Ultimate UV 390-1 Light Barrier for PET
The independent testing was carried out by the Institut für Kunststofftechnologie und -recycling e. V. (IKTR), following an adapted version of the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PET bottles. The results showed no adverse effects on the recycling process, confirming compatibility with state-of-the-art recycling processes in Europe. However, the approval is valid as long as the amount of additive used does not exceed 0.15 wt % of the total weight of the packaging.
This approval contributes to the growing body of scientific data on PET bottle recyclability and establishes that these additives do not cause yellowing after recycling. This is crucial for maintaining the high quality of recycled PET, making it suitable for reuse in clear, transparent bottle applications.
