Home / How JB rPET’s recycling process contributes to a sustainable future
A minute is fleeting, but considering the need to reduce our environmental impact, it does count! And that’s why, we at JBrPET, proudly recycle 7400+ waste bottles every minute. As a leading waste bottle recycling company in India, our premium quality recycled PET granules match the technical parameters of virgin-grade granules. Anything and everything that can be produced from virgin granules can be crafted from our recycled PET granules. We have 10+ years of experience in the PET recycling industry and 3+ years of R&D that has advanced our proprietary technology. With a mission to build a sustainable future, we make an impact of 5 million+ waste PET bottles every day.
Upcycling waste innovatively
1. Waste PET bottles: Following their collection from multiple sources, post-consumer waste bottles are processed to remove contaminants and non-PET elements. Labels, caps, and other non-PET plastics are removed at the second sorting stage.
2. PET washing line: The collected PET bottles are thoroughly washed in a PET washing line to ensure that the final recycled product is clean and pure.
30% recycled plastic for other types of plastics (Category 2 and 3).
3. Flakes: Small and manageable pieces called PET flakes are created by shredding the bottle. This step makes the processing of material easier and ensures uniformity in size for the next stages of recycling. Flakes are also dried because too much moisture can affect the recycled material’s performance and quality.
4. Chemical recycling process: At this stage, the polymer chains in the PET flakes are broken down chemically into their most basic forms, monomers and oligomers. In these processes, the PET flakes are heated in the presence of chemicals to break the large polymer chains into smaller, more manageable bits. The resultant monomers and oligomers are purified to guarantee high quality.
5. Monomers & oligomers: PET is made up of monomers, which are the basic building blocks, and oligomers, which are short chains of these monomers. Both are essential for recreating PET. They are stored under controlled conditions to maintain their quality.
6. Polymerisation process: To make new PET polymer chains, monomers and oligomers are combined and then polymerised. This process regenerates the PET material using the recycled pieces. Methods such as melt polymerisation and solid-state polymerisation can be used to provide the required polymer properties. The freshly generated PET’s molecular weight, purity, and physical attributes are examined. Quality control ensures that recycled PET is appropriate for its intended uses and meets industry requirements.
7. rPET pellets textiles / BoPET grade: After the polymerisation process, the PET is processed into small, consistent pellets known as rPET pellets, which also offer versatility. Their applications vary, and so do their grades according to specific uses. The textile industry transforms rPET pellets into fibres that are spun into yarns and woven or knitted into fabrics for clothing, carpets, and home textiles. rPET usage is a sustainable method that reduces the need for virgin materials. Furthermore, because of its strength, flexibility, and barrier qualities, BoPET (Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate) films are made from rPET pellets and are utilised in electronics, packaging, and other industrial applications.
Sustainability first
1. The 3Rs of the circular economy model are our principal focus: Reuse, Reduce & Recycle. Reusing plastic bottles helps reduce the waste quantity and contributes to managing plastic waste deposited in landfills and oceans. We then produce premium rPET granules to recycle PET that can be used in high-value applications, prolonging its lifecycle.
2. Our process is meticulously controlled across all levels to ensure maximum output with minimal energy usage, minimising the environmental impact compared to traditional mechanical recycling processes.
3. Our recycled PET resins are a sustainable alternative to virgin PET, reducing the reliance on the same. It helps conserve natural resources and lower carbon footprint. Moreover, the material made from our technology can entirely replace virgin-grade material.
4. To align with sustainable industry practices, we are committed to a transparent process that ensures both traceability and quality.
At JB rPET, we are committed to making a difference in the world. Years of dedicated research and development have honed our understanding of PET polymer at its core. By converting waste into high-quality rPET pellets, our recycling process supports both environmental sustainability and a circular economy, setting the stage for a greener, healthier future.