Edana, on behalf of the nonwoven producers amongst its membership, has issued a pledge to significantly increase the use of recycled PET in nonwoven fabrics. As the voice of nonwovens and related firms, Edana’s mission is to create the foundation for sustainable growth of the nonwovens and related industries through active promotion, education and dialogue.

Recycled PET is used in various nonwoven applications: roofing products, the automotive sector and nonwoven geotextiles are large users of R-PET fibres and resins. R-Pet can also be found in some hygiene products, such as diapers. Currently over 200,000 metric tons of recycled PET is used in the production of nonwovens1. By 2025, this will grow to over 300,000 tons, providing that the post-consumer waste volumes necessary are available, Edana said.

Edana made the announcement in Brussels during the event ‘The EU Plastics Industries – Towards Circularity’, joining 13 other organisations from across the plastics value chain in presenting the interim reports on voluntary commitments and pledges to adopt more circular business models.

The European plastics industry and value chain has developed an extensive and ambitious set of voluntary measures to close the loop for plastics. All commitments will be monitored with the industry ready to work closely with authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the goals are reached. The accomplishment of the ambitious sustainability targets depends not only on the industry, but requires the support of national authorities, European legislators and consumers.

More collection and better sorting are needed to increase recycling and incorporate more recyclate into new products. (GK)