Amid significant market pressures and operational challenges faced by recyclers across Europe, Faerch’s integrated recycling facility, Cirrec, has demonstrated consistent performance and steady progress. Cirrec has successfully increased its internal supply of tray-based recycled PET (tray rPET), reinforcing Faerch’s commitment to scaling sustainable food and drink packaging solutions at an industrial level.
Cirrec is achieving such steady growth that it can now provide its full annual output capacity of approximately 27,000 tonnes of pellets for internal consumption within the Faerch Group. This ensures Faerch’s access to high-quality recycled raw materials and enhances the company’s position as a fully integrated recycler-producer in the realm of food and drink packaging.
Enhancing Circularity and Supply Stability through Integrated Recycling
As a leader in rigid plastic food and drink packaging, Faerch is advancing the shift toward circularity by expanding its integrated recycling model. Central to this strategy is the Cirrec Division, which enables Faerch to transform post-consumer trays into new food-grade packaging. This process ensures quality, security of supply, and genuine material circularity.
Faerch’s recycling platform operates on the principle that yesterday’s resources must remain within the loop. This progress is propelled by robust collaboration among teams, strong partnerships across the value chain, and an ongoing focus on optimizing processes and results. By producing food packaging with tray rPET, Faerch exemplifies how responsible design can coexist with resource efficiency: every tray consists of materials that have previously served a purpose, now revitalized to safeguard food while minimizing environmental impact.
Tim Rademacker, Divisional CEO – Recycling at Faerch Group and Cirrec, states: “Faerch ensures stability and quality in food packaging by managing the recycling process through Cirrec. This control allows us to secure high standards for raw materials, consistent quality, and reliable supply. Clear and coloured tray rPET offer a stable and sustainable recycled PET source, protecting customers from market volatility and supporting long-term business resilience. With our ambition, we can secure constant supply and stable quality for all PET food packaging applications within the Faerch Group.”
Ambitious 2026 Target: Scaling Tray rPET to 25–30%
Looking toward the future, Faerch has established an ambitious yet achievable target to attain 25–30% tray rPET content across its product portfolio by 2026. This long-term goal is embedded in Faerch’s certification processes and illustrates the company’s dedication to sustainability and innovation in food and drink packaging.
Reaching this milestone will necessitate sustained effort and close collaboration throughout the value chain. By enhancing its internal consumption of tray rPET, Faerch aims to offer customers improved supply stability, assurance of quality, and price resilience—key factors in navigating market fluctuations and emerging regulatory demands.
For more information, visit faerch.com or email info@faerch.com to embark on your journey toward a more sustainable future.
