Faerch becomes first company to publish third-party-verified tray-to-tray rPET emission factor in Sphera database

2026-02-25 1:15 min Sustainability & Circular Economy, PET films, trays, cups

Faerch Holstebro, Denmark

Faerch announces a major industry milestone with the introduction of CIRPET+, its next‑generation tray‑to‑tray clear and coloured recycled PET (rPET), now supported by a third‑party‑verified carbon footprint and formally published as the first tray‑to‑tray rPET emission factor in the global Sphera database. This breakthrough provides brands, retailers, and converters with independently verified evidence of circularity in food packaging, at scale.

CIRPET+ is produced at Faerch’s Cirrec recycling facilities and marks a step forward in the company’s integrated, closed‑loop model for food‑grade PET trays. The verified emission factor establishes a new industry benchmark, reinforcing the competitive carbon profile of tray‑to‑tray recycled PET and highlighting Faerch’s leadership in establishing transparent, industry‑recognised data for circular materials.

The verified emission factor for CIRPET+ is 0.452 kg CO₂e per kg, demonstrating a significantly lower climate impact compared with other PET sources, around 30% lower than bottle‑derived rPET and around 80% lower than virgin PET. This enables producers to access validated impact data, a critical step for brands preparing for upcoming regulatory requirements and disclosure obligations.

This verification also brings much‑needed clarity to the packaging industry. With growing regulatory pressure, inconsistent recycled‑material claims, and scrutiny around what “circular” really means, CIRPET+ provides a rare level of transparency. By becoming the first company to publish a tray‑to‑tray rPET emission factor in Sphera, Faerch offers the market a trusted dataset that can be used directly in LCAs, customer reporting, and sustainability modelling, eliminating ambiguity and building confidence in tray‑based recycling systems.

The achievement also validates the strength of Faerch’s tray‑to‑tray recycling infrastructure. Unlike bottle‑to‑tray systems, CIRPET+ demonstrates that used food trays can be recovered and recycled back into food‑grade trays at industrial scale. This has major implications for security of supply, decarbonisation strategies, and the future design of closed‑loop packaging systems, especially as demand for food‑grade rPET continues to rise across Europe.

www.faerch.com

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Faerch becomes first company to publish third-party-verified tray-to-tray rPET emission factor in Sphera database

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