EFSA published safety evaluation of the VACUNITE (EREMA basic and Polymetrix SSP VleaN)-based method Plastipak Iberia, which is used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

The safety of the recycling process - Plastipak Iberia (EU registration number RECYC268), which employs the VACUNITE (EREMA basic and Polymetrix SSP VleaN) technology, was evaluated by the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, and Processing Aids (CEP). ||

PET flakes are used as the input, which are hot caustic washed, dried, and pre-decontaminated in a reactor at a high temperature and pressure before being extruded, pelletized, and crystallised. ||

The Panel reached the conclusion that the recycled PET produced by this method poses no safety issues when used up to 100% in the production of materials and items that will come into touch with all kinds of foods, including drinking water, for long-term room-temperature storage. ||

The assessment does not apply to uses of recycled PET products that are not designed for use in conventional and microwave ovens.