Kuwaiti petrochemicals group Equate (Safat; www.equate.com) has recently launched “Viridis 30”, a food-grade PET manufactured with 30% chemically recycled PET as feedstock. The product, now available through Equate’s PET polymer subsidiary Equipolymers (EQP, Dubai / United Arab Emirates; www.equipolymers.com), will be available commercially to the European market from the first quarter of 2021.

Viridis 30’s roots go back to 2009, when EQP launched “Viridis 10”, which contains 10% rPET. In 2016, EQP developed in collaboration with Coca-Cola “Viridis 25”, a PET grade containing 25% rPET (see Plasteurope.com of 31.01.2020).

The material complies with the European Commission’s regulations for food-contact plastics, meaning it can be used in beverage bottle production as well as in thermoforming applications. The development of Viridis 30 is aligned with the EU’s target to achieve 25% rPET in packaging by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

Equate is a joint venture between Dow (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) and Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC; Sabahiya / Kuwait; www.pic.com.kw). EQP’s two PET plants are located at Schkopau / Germany.