Today, Faerch marks a significant milestone in the food and drink packaging industry with the launch of CIRPET+, its state-of-the-art tray-to-tray clear and coloured recycled PET (rPET). This innovative product is now backed by a third-party-verified carbon footprint, making it the first tray-to-tray rPET emission factor recorded in the global Sphera database. This breakthrough provides brands, retailers, and converters with verified proof of sustainability in food packaging on a large scale.
CIRPET+ is manufactured at Faerch’s Cirrec recycling facilities, enhancing the company’s integrated, closed-loop model for food-grade PET trays. The verified emission factor not only sets a new industry benchmark but also strengthens the competitive carbon profile of tray-to-tray recycled PET. Furthermore, it underscores Faerch’s leadership in delivering transparent and industry-recognized data for sustainable packaging materials.
The verified emission factor for CIRPET+ stands at 0.452 kg CO₂e per kg. This represents a significantly lower climate impact compared to other PET sources—approximately 30% less than bottle-derived rPET and around 80% less than virgin PET. By providing validated impact data, Faerch equips producers with essential insights, which are crucial for brands gearing up for future regulatory requirements and disclosure obligations.
This verification also addresses the need for clarity within the packaging industry. As regulatory pressures mount and recycled material claims become increasingly scrutinized, CIRPET+ offers unparalleled transparency. By becoming the first entity to publish a tray-to-tray rPET emission factor in Sphera, Faerch delivers a reliable dataset applicable in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), customer reporting, and sustainability modeling. This eliminates uncertainty and fosters confidence in tray-based recycling systems.
Moreover, this accomplishment validates the robust nature of Faerch’s tray-to-tray recycling infrastructure. Unlike traditional bottle-to-tray systems, CIRPET+ demonstrates that used food trays can be effectively recovered and repurposed into food-grade trays on an industrial scale. This has far-reaching implications for supply security, decarbonization strategies, and the future design of closed-loop food and drink packaging systems, especially as demand for food-grade rPET continues to grow across Europe.
