Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) Testing

WHAT IS RECYCLED POLYESTER (rPET)?

Recycled polyester is commonly known as rPET. It is obtained by melting down plastics (e.g. PET bottles) and converting it to polyester fibres. The production of recycled polyester uses less resources than new fibres and generates less carbon emissions.

Recycled polyester has been increasingly used by many brands as an environmental marketing claim on their apparel & footwear articles. Importers and brands may want to create higher value-added articles with recycled materials so as to cater to the needs of environmentally conscious individuals.

WHY IS TESTING FOR RECYCLED POLYESTER IMPORTANT?

• Circularity principles
  The textile industry is moving towards circularity principles such as reducing waste and increasing secondary material use.
• Ensure that you sustainability claims are truthful
  Assure that your rPET products are truly made from recycled plastic bottles.
• Laws and regulations
  There are various laws around the world to protect consumer from deceptive marketing claim.
• Prove with certainty
  With the rPET test conducted, companies and brands can prove with certainty that their products are made from recycled plastic bottles.
• Increase customer confidence in your brand 
  In your product with greater transparency.

This recycled polyester testing provides manufacturers and brands with the ability to technically and independently substantiate sustainability claims around the material recycled content of products.

 Download the infosheet

TÜV SÜD has developed a test method to identify “Recycled Polyester” fibre that is produced from recycled PET bottles. The challenge is quantifying and determining the PET origin in polyester by analyzing Isophthalic Acid concentration using gas chromatography. Thereafter, using thermoanalytical techniques which further supports the differentiation of virgin polyester and recycled polyester. This is a preferred method for manufacturers to substantiate the recycled polyester claims as it is fast, cost-effective and highly selective to hydrocarbons.

Your business benefits

	Minimise time to market – By using highly efficient testing methods to ensure that your apparel and footwear articles have the same quantity of “recycled polyester” as claimed and can be sold in your target markets
	Reduce your business risks by ensuring sustainability claims are accurate and true
	Satisfy procurement requirements and customer expectations for sustainable products
	Increase customer confidence in your product with greater transparency
	Differentiate your product with testing from an independent third party

Get in touch today to test your products and prove its sustainability claims. 

ÉMI-TÜV SÜD Ltd. - KERMI laboratories

• Address: 26 Dózsa György Road, Szentendre, H-2000, Hungary
• Telephone: +36 26 501 120
• E-mail: [email protected]