European pallet circularity assessment platform launches a guide for PET multi-layer composite pallet design for recycling

After the release of the single-layer pallet design for recycling guidelines, TCEP (European Pallet Circularity Evaluation Platform) launched the PET composite pallet design for recycling guidelines on March 12. The guideline aims to provide crucial support for the physical recycling of PET pallets in Europe, ensuring the quality and safety required for the recycling streams of both single and composite pallets.

The European Pallet Circularity Evaluation Platform (TCEP) is a European industry initiative designed to evaluate packaging solutions and technologies for PET thermoforming with the aim of being recyclable, to facilitate an understanding of the impact of new PET thermoforming innovations on recycling processes, and to provide support for the economic and environmental sustainability of the entire European PET value chain.

From the text, it can be seen that the "fully compatible" tray material is single PET; PET and PE composite is "limitedly compatible", meaning under certain conditions, after trials or with a lower risk; however, when other materials are involved, such as PLA, PVC, the tray will be classified as "not (low) compatible", meaning trials have failed or the risk is higher. Similar conditions include only transparent and light transparent blue being fully compatible. For other related details, visit the website: <https://www.tcep-europe.org/design-guidelines/products>.

Last year, Shichai Environment participated in the European Pallet Recycling Conference held in Spain, engaging in a face-to-face exchange with Petcore Europe. Furthermore, in February of this year, they invited the association's president to present at the Hangzhou PET Summit. The proportion of composite PET pallets in Europe is significantly higher than in China, making closed-loop recycling difficult. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate the design of PET pallets for recyclability, in order to meet the relevant EU regulations by 2030.