SGT

SGR obtains a favourable opinion from EFSA

CIRPET is suitable for a return to food contact

SGR, the recycling unit of the SGT Group, obtains a favourable opinion from EFSA for its PET bottles recycling process.

This food-grade recycled plastic, named CIRPET for “circular” and “rPET”, has been officially approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Thanks to its state-of-the-art recycling line combining technical and energy performance, the SGT Group can offer its customer base a secure supply of food grade rPET.

With this modern and scalable recycling unit, the SGT Group confirms its commitment to sustainable development by recycling used PET bottles and increasing the percentage of recycled products in the production of new preforms.

“The wheel has thus come full circle, stresses SGT-SGR plant manager Jean-Marc Wiencek. EFSA’s endorsement is veritable recognition of the Group’s efforts and investment to bring to fruition its transition to a circular model.” 

With an annual capacity of 12,000 tonnes, SGR produces premium quality rPET equivalent to virgin PET, as evidenced by its manufacturing process, now recognized compliant with Europe’s strictest health requirements.

When SGR takes delivery of PET flakes, it performs 4 additional grading processes: optical, metal, colour and material. Everything is meticulously inspected.

“Our recycling line is at the cutting edge of the latest technologies currently available on the market, enabling us to produce rPET of the highest quality”, explains Mr Wiencek.

The site uses a vacuum-assisted Solid State Polycondensation (SSP) technology that guarantees industrial security at all stages of the thermal process and eliminates all remaining impurities on a molecular scale. SGR also has an extruding machine with underwater cutting and an ultra-efficient decontamination system that produces rPET pellets whose visible qualities (transparency and colour), mechanical qualities (viscosity) and organoleptic qualities match those of virgin PET. The whole process requires little consumption of energy.

“EFSA’s favourable opinion confirms our strategic choice, states the Chalon-Sur-Saône plant manager. It is an important turning point for our activity and we are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to environmental challenges by converting plastic waste into premium quality materials.”