The EuPR is concerned over German post-consumer PET bottles exported to China

The EuPR is concerned over German post-consumer PET bottles exported to China

The EuPR (European Plastics Recyclers) Working Group for PET has expressed concern over the legal status of German post-consumer PET bottles that are exported to China. EuPR wants the German Ministry of Environment to set up a proven grinding or shredding step as part of a certification process before bottles can be recycled in China.

Without this export control, says EuPR, European PET recycling activities – which operate under demanding European standards – will be disadvantaged compared to facilities in China. EuPR vice-president Casper van der Dungen said: “The basic line is that Chinese recyclers have cheaper operating costs than European recyclers. But that is to do with higher European employment standards. Our industry will not invest if China is always going to beat us on price issues – which is not the right competition.”

Post-consumer PET must be pre-treated into flakes and be free from contamination before entry into China. At the moment the certificates of conformity covering traceability from Germany to China do not confirm the material’s status. EuPR believes the majority of post-consumer PET bottles sent to China are not pre-treated.