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Design Guidelines for PET bottles in contact with food and non-food products
Please select a product from below:
- NEW DfC launched for consultation and for receiving feedback from Industry (click here to provide your feedback)
- Transparent clear / light blue PET bottles
- Transparent coloured PET bottles
- Opaque not White PET bottles
- Opaque White PET bottles
- Reusable clear light blue PET bottles
- PET closures
-
Provide Feedback
This is an invite to Industry for an open consultation related to teh recently developed by EPBP Design for Circularity DfC)
Please provide your feedback through the forms by 15.02. 2026.
in case you want to upload a file or you have any questions, please, contact:
Agiris Dabanlis: argiris.dabanlis@percore-europe.org
|
Circular
Suitable for closed loop recycling
|
Suitable for closed loop recycling in applications with low market penetration | No compatibility with circularity - typical examples for substances not suitable for closed loop recycling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Risks for all components of a PET package |
All materials in direct food contact must meet EU legal requirements for materials and articles coming into direct contact with foodstuff.
All components adhering to or incorporated into a PET package must be considered to become a food contact material as part of the PET material after recycling |
All materials in direct food contact must meet EU legal requirements for materials and articles coming into direct contact with foodstuff.
All components adhering to or incorporated into a PET package must be considered to become a food contact material as part of the PET material after recycling |
Non-PET polymers with a density above 0.95 g/cm³ (except thermoplastic polyolefins, which may have a density up to 0.98 g/cm³), such as PLA; PVC; PS; PETG; PC
None-polyolefin polymers with a density below 1 g/cm³; Metals and magnetic substances; Cross-linked rubber and elastomers Halogenated hydrocarbons, especially PVC; Bisphenol containing substance, especially PC and bisphenol based resins; Organosilicons; Bio-/oxo-/photodegradable functionality; Nanocomposites |
| Container |
Food grade PET with a total comonomer content below 6mol-%, thermally stable for 5 recycling loops
|
Food grade PET with a total comonomer content below 8mol-%, thermally stable for 5 recycling loops
|
Non-PET polymers; branched or cross-linked PET; paper
See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
| White Opaque | |||
| Size |
> 5*5cm as container and when compacted and <5l;
other sizes with dedicated recovery system |
< 5*5cm as container and when compacted and > 5l;
|
|
| Colours | |||
| Barrier layers and blends |
None
|
Pending re-evaluation by 31.12.202X SiOx plasma-coating; carbon plasma-coating; PA-MXD6 in a 3-layer structure with up to 5 wt% PA-MXD6 and no tie layers; PGA multilayer ; PTN alloy; PEF (multilayer or blend? Concentration?)
|
PA blends; structures with tie layer(s); structures with more than 3 layers; EVOH
See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
| Additive packages including colourants, other functional additives and additive carriers |
Thermally stable for 5 recycling loops, at <0.1% non-PET content and non-volatizable
preferably without colour addition; optionally light blue. |
Thermally stable for 5 recycling loops, at <0.25% non-PET content and non-volatizable
pending re-evaluation by End of 202X : UV blockers; AA scavengers; optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers; stabilizers |
Any substance :
- increasing fluorescence, - increasing opacity/haze, - decreasing L*-value (including dark colourants and reheat additives) - increasing b*-value (any colourants other than light blue) - acting as branching agents (substances reactive to PET with more than 2 reactive sites) - acting as chain stoppers (substances reactive to PET with only 1 reactive site) - acting as slip agents See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
| Caps and closure systems including liners, seals and valves |
HDPE, PP (one piece) sortable by colour, all with a density <0.98 g/cm³
Clear PET without additives and coatings, with a density >1 g/cm³ |
Liners seals and valves from PE, PP, EVA, TPO all with a density <0.98 g/cm³
Valves from TPS with a density <0.95 g/cm³ |
Mechanically non-detachable (welded)
Highly filled polyolefins with a density > 0.98 g/cm³ Cross linked materials such as elastomers or duromers (especially silicon valves floatable and non-floatable) See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
| Labels, sleeves and over closures (tamper evidence wrap) |
Any material with high coverage, non-translucent for IR detection (heavily inked)
Paper Mechanically non-detachable or welded PET with washable inks See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
||
| Tamper Evidence Wrap | |||
| Adhesives |
No adhesive on PET surfaces (preferred); Transitional : Minimal possible amount for adhesive on PET to label interface, non-dissolvable, non-detachable from label and fully releasable from PET in wash solution at 60-80°C.
For adhesive on label to label interface : non-dissolvable, non-detachable from label in wash solution at 60-80°C |
For adhesive on PET to label interface, non-dissolvable, non-detachable from label and fully releasable from PET in wash solution at 60-80°C.
re-evaluation on PSL approvals by 31.12.202X |
Dissolvable,
emulsified or suspended substances with tendency to reattach to PET upon cooling or with density >0.95g/cm³ See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
| Inks and varnishes on attached components (labels, caps, over closures) |
Bleeding / dissolvable
See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
||
| Direct Printing, Coatings |
Direct printing (other than date coding)
Barrier coatings or decorative coatings Slip agent coatings See general risk factors for all components of a PET package |
||
| Other Components | |||
| Wash chemicals and minerals in water |
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
. .
|
||
| Barrier | |||
| Additives |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds, silicone, metals);Floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) |
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other components which are separated
by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; unpigmented PET |
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET;
|
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
opaque; fluorescence; metallic
|
||
| Barrier |
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and tie layers; EVOH multilayer with up to 3 wt% EVOH and no tie layers; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; PGA multilayer
|
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm |
full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
|
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET |
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
all transparent colours; opaque colours without a layered structure
|
opaque in layered structure
|
fluorescence; metallic
|
| Barrier |
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and tie layers; EVOH multilayer with up to 3 wt% EVOH and no tie layers; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; PGA multilayer
|
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET |
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material |
PET
|
||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size |
smaller than 4 cm (when compacted) or larger than 5 liters
|
||
| Colours |
White opaque ; Using inorganic opacifier content rate to be between 1% and 12%
|
Multilayer or bi- layer structure with white outer layer. Pastel colours. (1) (2)
|
Fluorescent, metallic. Any other non-white outer layer
|
| Barrier |
SiOx plasma-coating
|
Nylon-MXD6 in a 3 layer structure, with > 5 wt% Nylon-MXD6 or with tie layers; Nylon-MXD6 in a 5 layer structure; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; EVOH
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ) |
|
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVCand other halogenated compounds ; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVCand other halogenated compounds ; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing |
laser marked
|
production or expiry date
|
any other direct printing
|
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; Unpigmented PET or with the same base colour as the bottle. |
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components
|
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours | |||
| Barrier |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; |
|
| Additives |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ,organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ; tethered closures |
|
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
oamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³, paper
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
P:42>full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily linked sleeves; full body sleeves foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing |
P:53>production or expiry date
|
||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other components which are separated
by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; unpigmented PET |
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET;
|
|
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material |
PETG; non-crystallizing and/or highly modified polyesters
|
||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
Transparent clear; transparent light blue
|
Other transparent colours; opaque; fluorescence; metallic
|
|
| Barrier |
Not foreseen
|
Not Foreseen
|
Not foreseen
|
| Additives |
None
|
Bio-/oxo-/photodegradable additives; nanocomposites; additives for laser printing activation, organosilicon compounds
|
|
| Closure Systems | |||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
Not adhered to the closure.
Polyolefin based with density <1g/cm³ |
Adhered to the closure
Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. PVC, silicone, metals); floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) |
|
| Labels | |||
| Sleeves | |||
| Tamper Evidence Wrap | |||
| Adhesives | |||
| Inks | |||
| Direct Printing |
Laser marking
|
Inkjeting of production and/or expiry date
|
Any other direct printing
|
| Other Components |
Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET
|
This work has been published by the European PET Bottle Platform with experts in the plastics packaging and recycling industry. The information contained in this document is for general guidance only. Any details given are intended as a general recommendation based on the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It does not necessarily guarantee compliance with the different recycling schemes. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Users are therefore advised to make their own enquiries with EPBP, local recyclers or recycling organisations to check for specific and up-to-date information.
It is important to note that Design Guidelinew are living or dynamic documents which will be continually edited, updated and expanded by our panel of experts as more information becomes available. This means that a certain product and/or material classification may change in future. Users are therefore advised to check the EPBP website or Design Guidelines page for the most updated information.
We value your feedback because it will help us to develop this publication even more and to make it a useful tool for you and other actors in the PET value chain. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know what you think about EPBP’s Design for Recycling Guidelines, so please send your comments and/or additional information to: epbp@epbp.org.
We call upon all companies developing new resins, additives, technologies and novel processes for PET bottles to bring their products to the European PET Bottle Platform in order to get an objective third party assessment of their recyclability. Assessment is free, but any testing will be at the cost of the applicant. For more information about our assessments, please contact us on enquiry@epbp.org.
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