Boretech EFSA PET recycling – Boretech Earns Landmark EFSA Approval for PET Recycling Technology, Strengthening Food Safety, Circular Economy Goals, and Regulatory Confidence Across Europe 07-01-2026
Boretech EFSA PET recycling
Boretech Achieves Major Regulatory Milestone in Europe
Boretech has reached a significant regulatory milestone after receiving a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority for its PET recycling process, brtCOMBIPET. This development places Boretech among a small group of technology providers worldwide that have successfully met Europe’s most demanding food safety standards for recycled plastics.
The Boretech EFSA PET recycling approval reflects compliance with Regulation EU 2022/1616, which governs recycled plastic materials intended for food contact. Issued in November 2025, the scientific opinion confirms that Boretech’s technology satisfies the strict safety and performance criteria now required under the updated European regulatory framework.
Why EFSA Approval Matters for PET Recycling
The EFSA assessment is considered one of the most stringent scientific evaluations for recycled plastics globally. A positive outcome demonstrates that a recycling technology can consistently remove contaminants to levels that ensure consumer safety.
With this opinion, Boretech EFSA PET recycling technology has been validated as suitable for producing recycled PET at up to 100 percent content for food contact applications. This includes packaging for drinking water, soft drinks, and other beverages, as well as containers for a wide range of food products. Boretech EFSA PET recycling
Regulation EU 2022/1616 and Its Industry Impact
Since its implementation in September 2022, Regulation EU 2022/1616 has reshaped how recycled plastics are authorized in Europe. Instead of approving individual recycling facilities, regulators now focus on the recycling technologies themselves. This shift places greater responsibility on technology developers to demonstrate consistent and repeatable decontamination performance.
The regulation also introduces stricter requirements related to traceability, input material quality, and contaminant removal efficiency. As a result, technology providers must submit comprehensive scientific data to prove their processes meet food safety standards.
Boretech responded to these changes by submitting extensive challenge test data for EFSA review, reinforcing the robustness of the Boretech EFSA PET recycling approach. Boretech EFSA PET recycling
Inside the brtCOMBIPET Recycling Process
The brtCOMBIPET system is designed as a bottle-to-bottle mechanical recycling solution. EFSA’s expert panel identified several critical stages within the process that are essential to achieving high-efficiency decontamination.
These stages include extrusion, preheating, and solid-state polycondensation, commonly referred to as SSP. Each step plays a role in reducing potential contaminants to levels deemed safe for food contact use.
According to EFSA’s evaluation, these stages collectively ensure that recycled PET produced using Boretech EFSA PET recycling technology meets the safety thresholds required for all types of food and beverages. Boretech EFSA PET recycling
Safe for Diverse Food and Beverage Applications
One of the most significant outcomes of the EFSA opinion is the confirmation that recycled PET from the brtCOMBIPET process is suitable for a wide range of use conditions. This includes long-term storage at room temperature, refrigerated storage, and hot-fill applications.
The approval covers packaging used for drinking water and other beverages, as well as food products that require higher safety margins. This flexibility makes Boretech EFSA PET recycling technology particularly valuable for brand owners seeking compliant recycled content solutions across multiple product categories.
What Happens After the EFSA Scientific Opinion
While EFSA’s positive scientific opinion is a major step forward, it does not represent the final stage of authorization. The next decision lies with the European Commission, which will determine whether to grant formal authorization for the decontamination process.
If approved, the European Commission will assign a Recycling Process Authorization Number. This number can then be licensed by Boretech to PET recyclers operating in or supplying the European market. Access to this authorization is critical for recyclers aiming to produce food-grade recycled PET under EU law.
Supporting Sustainability and Circular Economy Goals
The timing of the Boretech EFSA PET recycling approval is particularly relevant as brand owners and packaging converters face increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets. European legislation and voluntary commitments are pushing companies to raise recycled content levels in food packaging, especially PET bottles.
EFSA-approved recycling technologies are now seen as essential infrastructure for achieving these goals while maintaining full compliance with food safety regulations. Boretech’s approval strengthens supply chain confidence and helps unlock scalable recycled PET production across Europe.
Boretech’s Role in the Global Recycling Value Chain
Boretech describes this regulatory milestone as validation of its position as a global solution provider across the plastics recycling value chain. The company focuses on delivering scalable technologies that align with circular economy principles and evolving regulatory demands.
By securing EFSA recognition, Boretech EFSA PET recycling technology becomes a key enabler for long-term partnerships with recyclers, converters, and brand owners worldwide. The approval also supports investment certainty for companies expanding food-grade recycling capacity.
Looking Ahead for Food-Grade Recycled PET
As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, technology-based approvals like this are expected to become the norm. Boretech’s success demonstrates how advanced engineering, scientific validation, and regulatory alignment can work together to accelerate sustainable packaging solutions.
With its brtCOMBIPET process now scientifically validated by EFSA, Boretech is well positioned to support Europe’s transition toward safer, higher-quality recycled plastics for food contact applications.
More…
