NGR - Mission PET: Pioneering PET recycling beyond food applications with LSP technology

Addressing the need for nonfood PET recycling

As global regulations tighten on the use of recycled bottle flakes in nonfood applications, there is an increasing demand for alternative sources of PET. Mission PET, based in Upper Austria, is at the forefront of addressing this challenge. By focusing on non-food PET streams, the company is creating valuable products from materials that were previously considered waste. This innovative approach not only supports sustainability but also meets the rising demand for highquality recycled PET (rPET) in various industrial applications.

“At Mission PET, we are committed to pioneering new recycling pathways for PET materials that were once overlooked.

Our collaboration with NGR and the use of LSP technology allows us to produce high-quality rPET granules from mixed streams, which significantly broadens the scope of sustainable PET recycling. We have the chance to upcycle those completely different streams and give them back a life in a valuable product. “ said Markus Huemer, CEO of Mission PET.

Innovative Recycling Focus

The traditional “bottle-to-bottle” recycling model is well-established in the plastics industry. However, Mission PET is breaking new ground by targeting other PET streams, such as non-food bottles, trays, fibers, straps, agglomerates, and fines. With advanced process know-how and machine configurations, Mission PET can blend different PET streams to produce high-quality rPET granules. Their flagship product, “rPET BNT 75/80,” exemplifies this capability. It is made from a mix of non-food colored bottle flakes, fines, and lumps, achieving a viscosity close to virgin PET, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

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''Our collaboration with NGR and the use of LSP technology allows us to produce high-quality rPET granules from mixed streams, which significantly broadens the scope of sustainable PET recycling.'' - Markus Huemer

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Production process: Leveraging LSP technology

Mission PET’s success is underpinned by NGR’s LSP technology, specifically the P:REACT system. This technology enables the efficient recycling of diverse PET streams through a liquid polycondensation process. Unlike conventional methods that decontaminate in the solid phase, LSP ensures thorough decontamination in the liquid phase, which is crucial for producing high-quality rPET.

Key advantages of LSP technology

• Proven track record: With over 10 years of proven success, NGR’s LSP technology is trusted by brand owners worldwide especially for food-grade (EFSA, FDA) and now also for non-foodgrade applications. This technology has demonstrated its reliability and effectiveness in keeping PET in the recycling loop.
• Thickness-independent decontamination efficiency: The LSP process handles various material thicknesses by melting the PET before decontamination, ensuring uniform quality. ¡ Efficient contaminant handling: LSP can process composites like PET/PET-G and PET/PE, which are challenging for conventional methods, ensuring a higher purity of the final product.
• Controlled IV structure: The process allows precise control over the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the PET, resulting inconsistent mechanical properties in the final product.
• Energy efficiency and high uptime: Continuous material flow and direct integration into downstream production processes reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.

“The LSP technology represents a significant advancement in PET recycling. By decontaminating in the liquid phase, we achieve a higher purity and more consistent quality, making it possible to recycle materials that were previously problematic. This opens up new avenues for using recycled PET also in nonfood applications,” explained David Hehenberger, Product Manager for PET Recycling at NGR.

Mission PET’s impact on the industry

By utilizing NGR’s advanced LSP technology, Mission PET is redefining the possibilities of PET recycling. The company’s ability to upcycle materials traditionally destined for incineration or low-value applications into highquality rPET granules is a gamechanger. This process not only supports environmental sustainability but also reduces dependence on imported virgin PET, aligning with European sustainability standards.

Applications and future growth

Mission PET’s innovative approach is particularly beneficial for industries requiring high-quality rPET for non-food applications. For example:

• Straps and Fibers: The rPET granules produced are ideal for manufacturing straps and fibers, offering excellent strength and durability.
• Foamed PET Sheets: The consistent IV and purity of the rPET make it suitable for producing high-quality foamed PET sheets.
• Technical Applications: rPET granules with higher IV values (up to 0.8dl/g) are perfect for various technical applications, reducing the need for virgin PET.

Conclusion

The partnership between NGR and Mission PET is a testament to the potential of advanced recycling technologies to transform the PET recycling landscape. By focusing on non-food PET streams and leveraging NGR’s LSP technology, Mission PET is setting new standards for sustainability and innovation in the industry. As the demand for high-quality rPET continues to grow, Mission PET is well-positioned to lead the way, providing sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy.

www.ngr-world.com    www.mission-pet.at