Indorama Ventures and AMB Spa launch recyclable multilayer PET tray, combining recycled content and performance while supporting Europe’s circular packaging goals.
Indorama Ventures and AMB Spa have strengthened their collaboration to introduce an innovative recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) multilayer tray designed to improve sustainability in food packaging applications. The development reflects a growing industry focus on circular economy principles and the need to balance performance requirements with environmental responsibility.
At the core of this new solution is a multilayer structure that strategically incorporates recycled PET flakes within the middle layer of the tray, while maintaining virgin, food-grade PET on the outer surfaces. This design ensures that the tray meets stringent food safety standards, while also preserving essential functional properties such as clarity, durability, and effective sealing performance. By combining recycled and virgin materials in this way, the companies aim to significantly increase recycled content without compromising product quality or regulatory compliance.
According to the companies, this approach demonstrates that even complex multilayer packaging formats—traditionally considered difficult to recycle—can be redesigned to support circularity. Paolo Cescutti, Chief Procurement Officer at AMB Spa, emphasized that the solution highlights how collaboration and technological innovation can make recycling viable for advanced packaging systems. He noted that the development proves multilayer trays can move beyond theoretical sustainability goals and deliver practical, scalable outcomes that contribute to real-world recycling systems.
A key feature of the tray is its ability to be recycled after use, enabling the recovered PET material to be reused in similar applications. This closed-loop potential is particularly important as regulators and industry stakeholders push for higher recycling rates and reduced reliance on virgin plastics. The solution aligns closely with upcoming European policy frameworks, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which mandates that plastic packaging contain an average of 30% recycled material by 2030. By proactively addressing these requirements, the companies are positioning themselves ahead of regulatory changes while supporting broader sustainability targets.
Production of the new PET tray has already commenced at Indorama Ventures’ Verdun Recycling facility in France, marking the transition from development to commercial-scale manufacturing. Initial deliveries to customers in the United Kingdom are currently underway, with plans to expand distribution across Europe in the near future. This rollout signals confidence in the product’s market readiness and its ability to meet the needs of food packaging manufacturers seeking sustainable alternatives.
The project builds on an earlier partnership between the two companies established in 2023. Since then, their collaboration has progressed from concept development to full-scale production, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing circular packaging solutions. By focusing on design innovations that facilitate recycling, the initiative aims to address one of the most persistent challenges in the packaging industry—managing complex waste streams effectively.
Andy Motta, Business Director for Europe and Türkiye CPET at Indorama Ventures, highlighted the broader impact of the innovation. He stated that scalable solutions like this enable the packaging sector to maintain high performance standards while transitioning toward circular economy objectives. He also underscored the company’s commitment to supporting stronger recycling infrastructures through practical, market-ready solutions.
Overall, the recyclable PET multilayer tray represents a significant step forward in sustainable food packaging, combining technical performance with environmental benefits and regulatory alignment.
