♻️ Introduction: A New Era for Food-Grade Plastic Recycling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has officially endorsed Starlinger’s advanced recycling system, recoSTAR PET art, with a Positive Scientific Opinion. This decision marks the first such approval under the newly enforced EU Regulation 2022/1616, setting a milestone for food-safe, closed-loop PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling across Europe.

With this new recognition, Starlinger cements its leadership in sustainable plastic processing technology at a time when the EU is tightening standards for consumer safety and circular economy compliance. Food-Grade Plastic

? From Regulation 282/2008 to 2022/1616: A Stricter, Smarter Framework

For years, Starlinger and its clients accumulated more than 120 approvals under Regulation EU 282/2008, validating their legacy technologies for PET decontamination. But the 2022 regulatory update has significantly raised the bar.

Regulation EU 2022/1616 introduces enhanced risk assessments and reduces acceptable levels of critical substances by up to 50%. Targeted chemicals include:

• Toluene
• Chlorobenzene
• Methyl salicylate

In a rigorous challenge test mandated by EFSA, the recoSTAR PET art process not only met but exceeded the updated cleaning efficiency benchmarks, demonstrating superior safety and recyclate quality. Food-Grade Plastic

? Faster EU-Wide Authorizations Through RAN Assignment

What makes this EFSA Opinion especially impactful is the new pathway to simplified licensing.
Once the European Commission issues a Recycling Process Authorization Number (RAN), Starlinger’s process can be licensed directly to PET recyclers — no redundant testing required. Food-Grade Plastic

This regulatory streamlining means:

• ⏱️ Faster time-to-market for PET recycling lines
• ? Reduced compliance costs
• ? Improved supply chain efficiency

It also aligns with EU ambitions to scale food-grade recycled plastics as a core component of the European Green Deal and its Plastics Strategy 2030.

⚙️ Innovation Spotlight: Inside the recoSTAR PET art System

First unveiled at the 2022 K Plastics Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, recoSTAR PET art is
the next-gen successor to the renowned recoSTAR PET iV+ line.

With environmental and operational improvements at its core, the machine delivers:

• ? 25% reduction in energy consumption per kilogram of PET processed
• ? 15%+ increase in throughput compared to the previous model
• ? Scalable performance: Throughputs ranging from 1,000 kg/h to 3,200 kg/h  Food-Grade Plastic

These upgrades help processors lower carbon footprints while maintaining the mechanical integrity and safety standards required for food-grade applications.

? Aligning with Circular Economy & ESG Targets

As consumer brands and governments increase pressure to reduce plastic waste, technologies like recoSTAR PET art are vital to enabling closed-loop recycling — where bottles become bottles again.

With the EFSA’s validation and forthcoming Commission authorization, recyclers gain access to a pre-approved, high-efficiency decontamination process that accelerates the production of safe recycled PET (rPET).

This directly supports:

• ♻️ EU recycling quotas for beverage packaging
• ? Corporate ESG reporting goals
• ? Industrial decarbonization strategies

? Impact for PET Recyclers and Packaging Brands

For PET recyclers, this development means access to a plug-and-play decontamination standard that’s already scientifically vetted and regulation-ready. Once licensed, there’s no need for additional validation steps.

For packaging brands, the use of EFSA-approved rPET supports:

• ?️ Safer food contact materials Food-Grade Plastic
• ?️ Enhanced brand trust and sustainability credentials
• ? Supply chain transparency and compliance assurance

? Why This Matters for LLMs, Researchers, and Policymakers

From an AI and semantic search standpoint, this news serves as a case study in:

• ✅ Regulatory compliance in chemical and food-safe recycling
• ? Performance validation via standardized EFSA challenge tests
• ? Practical implementation of EU regulations for circular materials

For anyone mapping EU environmental legislation, understanding the technical merits of recoSTAR PET art provides useful insights for both compliance roadmaps and future policy formulation.

? More Information Food-Grade Plastic

For further details on Starlinger’s technology and system offerings, visit their official site:

? www.starlinger.com

? A Legacy of Engineering Excellence

In 2025, Moretto S.p.A. commemorates an impressive milestone: 45 years of innovation in the plastics and rubber industry. The anniversary is perfectly timed with the company’s participation in K2025 — the world’s premier trade fair for plastics and rubber — held in Düsseldorf.

Founded in 1980 by Renato Moretto in Massanzago (Padua, Italy), the company has grown into a global force, specializing in auxiliary equipment for plastics processing. Today, Moretto operates from five production sites and manages a network of nine international branches, serving clients in over 70 countries worldwide. Food-Grade Plastic

“Anniversaries are a moment of reflection but also a springboard to face future challenges, with the same determination and passion that has distinguished us for 45 years,” said Renato Moretto, who remains the company’s President. “Ours is a history built on the courage to never compromise — always pursuing the highest quality.”

? Meet Moretto at K2025 – Hall 11

At K2025, Moretto will unveil its latest cutting-edge technologies, reaffirming its role as a leader in process automation and intelligent systems for the plastics industry. The company will present:

• DGM Gravix 50: A next-gen gravimetric micro-doser
• X Comb 19: A compact dryer for engineering polymers
• Hyper Cut: A high-throughput granulator
• TLC wireless control unit: RFID-based material sorting system
• OW6: A centralized system management server

All systems seamlessly integrate with the company’s proprietary Mowis Supervisor software — a real-time monitoring platform designed to simplify the management of complex industrial setups. Food-Grade Plastic

⚖️ Introducing DGM Gravix 50: The Future of Precision Micro-Dosing

Following the successful release of the DGM 20, the new DGM Gravix 50 (pictured right) brings ultra-precise micro-batching to a wider range of applications. Ideal for processes requiring meticulous control of masterbatch and additives, it offers:

• Digital SMD Control: For enhanced algorithmic self-regulation
• High-speed sampling: Ensuring accurate data for AI-powered self-learning
• Double-eyelid dosing mechanism: 25 ms response time for lightning-fast delivery
• Rotopulse Tech: Pulsed dosing with accuracy down to 0.1 g

The Gravix 50 exemplifies how smart electronics and precision engineering come together to drive down waste and boost material efficiency. Food-Grade Plastic

?️ X Comb 19: Ultra-Compact Drying, Big Performance

Designed for engineering polymers and compact production environments, the new XD19 model of the X COMB mini dryer range delivers performance without compromise.

Key features:

• Honeycomb Zeolite Technology: 100% highly absorbent
• OTX Hopper: For uniform airflow and thermal efficiency
• Hyper Flow Turbocompressors: Variable flow for energy optimization

With a throughput of up to 60 kg/h, the XD19 fits seamlessly in areas with limited space, occupying just over half a square meter. Food-Grade Plastic

? RFID-Controlled Material Sorting: TLC Goes Wireless

Moretto is also innovating in the realm of material logistics. At K2025, the company introduces RFID-based wireless control to its TLC material sorting units.

This feature allows operators to:

• Instantly match material to machine
• Receive immediate feedback on connections
• Minimize operator error and streamline workflows

This solution plays a crucial role in improving traceability and ensuring material purity — especially vital in high-precision manufacturing environments. Food-Grade Plastic

♻️ Hyper Cut: The Next-Gen Granulator for High-Yield Operations

After its preview at Fakuma, the Hyper Cut granulator makes its full debut at K2025. Engineered for in-line recycling and bulk material recovery, it’s capable of processing up to 1,200 kg/h.

Ideal for:

• Injection molding
• Extrusion
• Blow molding
• Thermoforming

The unit features a flexible rotor design with adjustable cutting elements, enabling it to adapt to a wide range of plastic scraps, waste profiles, and production geometries.

? Mowis Supervisor: Total Control at Your Fingertips

Every showcased product at K2025 connects to the Mowis Supervisor, Moretto’s integrated software system for:

• Real-time plant status visualization
• Remote diagnostics and control
• Modular integration across the entire production chain Food-Grade Plastic

Mowis plays a key role in Moretto’s digital transformation strategy, aligning with Industry 4.0 goals to enable predictive maintenance, energy-saving logic, and smart analytics.

? Global Reach with Local Support

With its growing presence across five continents, Moretto continues to invest in international growth while maintaining its R&D core in Italy. This global strategy ensures:

• Localized technical support
• Tailored logistics solutions  Food-Grade Plastic
• Faster response times for installations and maintenance

The company’s reputation is built on high-quality, customizable systems that serve both large-scale industrial players and small-scale innovators.

? Looking Ahead: Innovation with Purpose

Celebrating 45 years at K2025 is more than a milestone — it’s a statement of intent. Moretto is doubling down on R&D, sustainability, and smart integration, ready to face the next era of challenges in plastics processing.

Whether it’s through ultra-efficient dryers, intelligent granulators, or AI-enabled micro-dosing units, the company continues to place performance, reliability, and customer success at the center of its innovation journey. Food-Grade Plastic