EU approval for PET recycling

Meinerzhagen, 17.02.2025

Fernholz Verpackungen has been approved by the European Union to process recycled PET for direct food contact. Consequently, the company is now one of the few in Germany that can offer a fully EU-approved recycling process. This significant milestone highlights Fernholz’s commitment to creating a sustainable circular economy and innovative packaging solutions

A significant step for sustainable packaging solutions

Producing packaging from recycled plastics requires the most stringent standards of quality and safety. One key aspect in terms of sustainability is the use of hot washed flakes. These are plastic flakes that undergo a multi-stage cleaning process to remove impurities such as adhesive residues and beverage residues. However, this process alone is not sufficient to prepare the flakes for use in the production of food contact films and packaging; the flakes must be additionally decontaminated using special heating processes.

Innovation and future prospects

This new EU approval represents a decisive step in the sustainability strategy of Fernholz Verpackungen. The company submitted their application to the EU in 2022. By their own estimates, they are now one of around 250 companies in Europe and around 25 companies in Germany that have received this approval. Fernholz Verpackungen have been assigned the RAN number DEA-5IR-1AA, meaning they now have an officially recognised PET recycling process that is classified as Suitable Technology.
“This EU approval is a milestone for our company and validates our sustainable innovation strategy,” says Michael Roth, Managing Director of Fernholz. “We focus on resource-efficient production and want to actively contribute to the further development of the circular economy in the packaging industry.”

Fernholz continues to drive sustainable innovation forwards

This approval paves the way for Fernholz Verpackungen to continue their developments. Currently, the company is working on registering new recycling processes with the EU, particularly in the area of polystyrene. Their aim is to further strengthen the circular economy in the packaging industry and provide sustainable solutions for a whole range of plastics.
W. u. H. Fernholz GmbH & Co. KG is a manufacturer of films and plastic packaging based in Meinerzhagen and Schkopau, Germany. They hold numerous certificates that verify their sustainable and innovative products.