Indorama Ventures, AMB launch fully recyclable PET multilayer trays for European food packaging

EUROPE – Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited and Italian packaging manufacturer AMB Spa have introduced a next-generation multilayer PET tray designed to be fully recyclable, marking a significant development in the push toward circular food packaging in Europe.

The new tray integrates recycled PET flakes in its core layer, while the outer layers are made from virgin food-grade PET, ensuring compliance with food safety standards while maintaining the clarity, strength and sealing performance required by food brands and retailers.

According to the companies, the packaging solution is engineered to remain recyclable after use, enabling tray-to-tray recycling and helping keep PET materials within high-value packaging applications rather than being downcycled into lower-grade products.

The innovation also aligns with the European Union’s proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to increase recycling rates and establish minimum recycled-content requirements for plastic packaging.

The regulation includes a target of achieving an average of 30% recycled content in plastic packaging by 2030.

“This solution demonstrates that multilayer trays can meet circularity goals in practice, not just on paper,” said Paolo Cescutti, Chief Procurement Officer at AMB Spa.

“Innovation and collaboration can unlock new recycling pathways, even for the most complex packaging waste streams.”

Multilayer trays play a critical role in protecting fresh foods and extending shelf life. However, they have historically been difficult to recycle due to their layered structure and contamination from food residues.

A recent industry case study highlighted the environmental benefits of PET tray packaging, showing that it can extend the shelf life of certain food products from six to 15 days, reducing food waste rates from 47% to 15%.

Reducing food waste is increasingly viewed as a key component of sustainable packaging strategies.

Despite these advantages, recycling rates for PET trays in Europe remain relatively low, with only around 30% currently recycled.

Industry stakeholders expect this figure to rise as design-for-recycling innovations and improved collection systems are implemented.

“A scalable innovation like this enables the tray industry to maintain high performance while moving decisively toward Europe’s circular-economy ambitions,” said Andy Motta, Business Director for Europe and Türkiye, CPET, at Indorama Ventures.

Production of the trays is already underway at Indorama Ventures Verdun Recycling Facility in Verdun.

The finished packaging is currently being supplied to customers in the United Kingdom, with broader distribution planned across Europe.

The launch builds on a collaboration between the two companies that began in 2023, which focused on developing scalable recycling solutions for complex multilayer PET packaging.

As Europe accelerates the transition to circular packaging systems, initiatives such as this demonstrate how design innovation, recycled materials and industry partnerships can help close the loop for food packaging plastics.

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