Plastic packaging manufacturer Coexpan (Madrid / Spain; www.coexpan.com) has developed a 100% rPET tray that can be used for different applications and is decontaminated for food contact use. The "CorePET" sheet is specifically formulated for the thermoforming market and, said Coexpan, meets all legislative requirements, including approval by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, Parma / Italy; www.efsa.europa.eu).

Coexpan explained that CorePET does not rely on a ‘functional’ virgin PET barrier for food contact approval and all the sheet’s raw materials are suitable for direct food contact without any barrier layer. The company also makes rPET sheets with varying percentages of recycled content, including 50%, 70%, 85% and 100%. They are available in different colours for various applications that include packaging for cheese, fresh pasta, fruit, salads, cosmetics as well as blister packs.

This latest development supports the commitment made last year by industry association PET Sheet Europe (PSE, Brussels / Belgium; www.petsheeteurope.eu) to guarantee that PET products will have a mean recycled content of 70% by 2025, Coexpan added.