Switzerland’s largest dairy Emmi (Lucerne; www.emmi.com) said it plans to use PET bottles for various milk drinks and products in future. The switch from the polyethylene bottles used to date will affect not only different brands sold in Switzerland, but also the international Emmi Caffè brand.

In addition, the own brands that Emmi produces and bottles for Swiss food retail heavyweight Coop will similarly be available in PET bottles. In response to a Plasteurope.com query, a company spokesperson did not disclose the volumes involved.

“By using PET for milk products, we have found a recyclable packaging solution”, said Marc Heim, head of the Switzerland division at Emmi.

PET is the only packaging plastic that is collected in special bags throughout Switzerland and recycled. PE, on the other hand, ends up in the incineration plants along with household waste. 

Emmi said it is not currently planning to switch other packaging, such as thermoformed yoghurt pots, to alternative materials. “Each category has its own specific challenges, so the solution is not necessarily to change from one plastic to another”, the spokesperson explained.

In general, however, Emmi aims to make all its packaging recyclable in the foreseeable future. 

Switzerland has no quotas for the use of recyclates such as those currently under discussion throughout Europe in connection with the PPWR. The EU requirements are, however, taken as a guide, the spokesperson stressed.

Related: Austrian PET reclaim organisation reports last year’s recycled volume at 2022 level

Emmi is also a founding member of the still young RecyPac association, which aims to establish a nationwide collection and recycling system for plastic packaging and beverage cartons in Switzerland.

The change in packaging material at Emmi required investments in the company’s filling technology. The PET preforms are now blown on site at the new plant. The Swiss dairy did not disclose the amount invested.