Preliminary Study on Impact Evaluation of RPET Samples using Reactive and Non-Reactive Modifiers

摘要

The demand for recycled plastics in food contact packaging by consumers,brand owners,and regulatory agencies has put pressure on suppliers and converters to increase post-consumer content (PCR).Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) has been widely adopted for use retail environments for refrigerated and ambient food packaging applications.This increased demand for post-consumer recycled content and is fundamental to meeting environmental sustainability objectives,and thus,must be available for application in all cold chain markets.However,reduced impact performance due to increasing PCR content and feedstock variation has limited broader market adoption in low temperature and frozen products.RPET can be used in direct food contact with no restrictions following conditions per the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21 CFR 177.1630 for total extractives.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of reactive and non-reactive impact modifiers to increase the impact performance of virgin PET/RPET blends in commercially manufactured cake trays.Results of this study found the optimum loading ratio and performance in RPET was realized using a reactive modifier at 15% for an increase of 51-118% in impact performance.This study will help provide solutions for users of RPET looking to increase performance in refrigerated and frozen products.Introduction