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A new additive concentrate that is said to rebuild the polymer chains of recycled PET (rPET) thereby increasing its viscosity and reducing rPET’s resulting yellowness has been developed by Techmer PM. HiTerra rPET Revive reportedly allows for a higher regrind/recycle rate and improved productivity, according to Steve Smith, Techmer PM’s market manager for rigid packaging.  

Describing it as a new technology, Smith said, “We selected the active ingredient to be compatible with PET resins used in fiber and molding applications. Converters can use it in the production of thermoformed sheets, and the product is showing good potential for use in bottles, as well.”  He also noted that rPET Revive can reduce the yellowness of the rPET to virgin‐level or, in some cases, even less yellow than virgin PET, adding the additive contains no pigments or dyes and is suitable for food‐contact applications. While Smith acknowledges that the processing of resin with chain‐extending additives can require care, he said that they are seeing good results in at both lab-scale and commercial-scale trials, and that market interest is extremely high.

The company developed the additive to both address the technical challenges of processing recycled resins and the short supply and additional cost of high-quality recycled PET.