Faerch strengthens circular packaging leadership as integrated recycling drives tray rPET growth, supply stability, long-term resilience and sustainability across European markets despite ongoing recycling industry pressures 09-01-2026
Faerch advances circular packaging leadership with growing tray rPET volumes from Cirrec
As many recyclers across Europe face ongoing economic pressure, volatile demand, and operational constraints, Faerch continues to strengthen its position as a leader in circular packaging. Through its integrated recycling division, Cirrec, the company is delivering stable growth in tray rPET volumes, reinforcing supply security and supporting industrial-scale circular solutions for food packaging.
This progress comes at a time when reliable access to recycled PET is increasingly critical. Regulatory expectations, sustainability commitments, and customer demand are converging, placing pressure on packaging producers to secure consistent, high-quality recycled materials. Faerch addresses this challenge by controlling its recycling processes end to end, from post-consumer collection to new food-grade packaging.
Cirrec delivers stable output in a challenging recycling market
Cirrec has reached a level of operational maturity that allows it to supply its full annual output capacity of approximately 27,000 tons of recycled PET pellets for internal use within the Faerch Group. This achievement is particularly significant given the broader market context, where many recycling facilities are reducing capacity or exiting operations.
By focusing on tray rPET rather than bottle-based streams, Cirrec supports a closed-loop system tailored specifically to food trays. This approach strengthens material consistency and ensures that recycled PET remains within the same application cycle, improving overall circularity outcomes.
The ability to internally consume the full volume of tray rPET also positions Faerch as a truly integrated recycler-producer. This integration reduces dependency on external markets and shields customers from fluctuations in pricing and availability.
Integrated recycling as a foundation for circular packaging
Faerch’s circular packaging strategy is built on the principle that materials should remain in use for as long as possible. Integrated recycling plays a central role in achieving this ambition. By transforming post-consumer trays into new packaging, Faerch closes the material loop and minimizes waste.
Tray rPET is at the heart of this system. Each tray produced using recycled PET represents material that has already completed one lifecycle and is now renewed for another. This model reduces reliance on virgin plastics while maintaining the performance and safety standards required for food contact applications.
Strong collaboration across internal teams and external partners enables continuous improvement. From collection and sorting to processing and extrusion, every stage is optimized to improve yield, quality, and environmental performance.
Ensuring food-grade quality and supply stability
Quality and reliability are essential for food packaging. By managing recycling through Cirrec, Faerch maintains full control over raw material standards, traceability, and compliance. This control ensures that tray rPET meets strict food-grade requirements and delivers consistent performance across applications.
Clear and coloured tray rPET streams provide a dependable source of recycled PET, offering long-term stability in a market often affected by volatility. Customers benefit from predictable supply, reduced risk, and confidence that sustainability goals can be met without compromising quality.
This integrated model also supports business resilience. Stable access to recycled PET allows Faerch and its customers to plan production more effectively, manage costs, and respond proactively to regulatory changes.
Tray rPET as a driver of sustainability and resilience
Tray rPET is more than a recycled material. It is a strategic asset that enables circular packaging at scale. By prioritizing tray-to-tray recycling, Faerch demonstrates that responsible design and resource efficiency can align with industrial performance.
The environmental benefits are clear. Using recycled PET reduces carbon footprint, conserves resources, and diverts waste from incineration or landfill. At the same time, maintaining high material quality ensures that sustainability does not come at the expense of functionality or food protection.
Faerch’s approach shows how circular packaging can move beyond pilot projects and become a core business model. Tray rPET is already supporting a growing share of the company’s product portfolio, with further expansion planned.
Ambitious 2026 target for tray rPET integration
Looking ahead, Faerch has set a clear and measurable target. By 2026, the company aims to achieve 25 to 30 percent tray rPET content across its product portfolio. This objective is embedded within certification processes and reflects a long-term commitment to circularity.
Reaching this milestone will require continued collaboration across the value chain. Collection systems, sorting infrastructure, recycling capacity, and customer engagement must evolve together. Faerch’s internal recycling capabilities provide a strong foundation for this journey.
Increasing internal consumption of tray rPET will further enhance supply stability, quality assurance, and price resilience. Customers will be better equipped to navigate market fluctuations while meeting sustainability and regulatory expectations.
Supporting customers in a changing regulatory landscape
European packaging regulations are evolving rapidly, with increasing emphasis on recycled content, traceability, and circular design. Faerch’s integrated recycling model helps customers stay ahead of these requirements.
By offering packaging solutions with reliable tray rPET content, Faerch supports compliance while reducing complexity for brand owners and food producers. This partnership approach strengthens long-term relationships and aligns sustainability objectives across the supply chain.
A scalable model for circular packaging in Europe
Faerch’s progress with Cirrec demonstrates that circular packaging can be scaled successfully, even in challenging market conditions. Integrated recycling, focused on tray rPET, delivers tangible benefits in quality, supply security, and environmental performance.
As demand for recycled PET continues to grow, Faerch’s model offers a blueprint for resilience and responsibility. By keeping materials in the loop and investing in industrial-scale solutions, the company reinforces its leadership in circular packaging and sets a benchmark for the European market.
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