kSIST FprEN 18120-10:2025
(Main)Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PET bottles
Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PET bottles
This document provides requirements for the evaluation process for bottles predominantly made of PET with respect to compatibility of the design with recycling processes.
Packaging components and ancillary elements made of other materials than PET are also covered by this document as they need to be evaluated for compatibility with the recycling processes.
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 10: Verfahren zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von Kunststoffverpackungen - Protokolle für Flaschen aus PET
Dieses Dokument enthält Anforderungen an den Bewertungsprozess für PET-Flaschen im Hinblick auf die Kompatibilität der Gestaltung mit den Recyclingprozessen.
Verpackungsbestandteile und Nebenelemente aus anderen Materialien als PET werden ebenfalls in diesem Dokument behandelt, da sie im Hinblick auf die Kompatibilität mit den Recyclingprozessen bewertet werden müssen.
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 10 : Processus d’évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages plastiques - Protocoles pour les bouteilles en PET
Le présent document fournit des exigences pour le processus d’évaluation des bouteilles en PET, et plus particulièrement la compatibilité de la conception avec les processus de recyclage.
Les composants d’emballage et les éléments auxiliaires fabriqués à partir de matériaux autres que le PET sont également couverts par le présent document, car il est nécessaire d’évaluer leur compatibilité avec les processus de recyclage.
Embalaža - Načrtovanje, ki omogoča recikliranje plastične embalaže - 10. del: Postopek za ocenjevanje možnosti recikliranja plastične embalaže - Protokoli za plastenke iz polietilen tereftalata (PET-plastenke)
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 18120-10:2024
01-oktober-2024
Embalaža - Načrtovanje, ki omogoča recikliranje plastične embalaže - 10. del:
Postopek za ocenjevanje možnosti recikliranja plastične embalaže - Protokoli za
plastenke iz polietilen tereftalata (PET-plastenke)
Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging - Part 10: Recyclability evaluation
process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PET bottles
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
10: Verfahren zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von Kunststoffverpackungen -
Protokolle für Flaschen aus PET
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18120-10
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
55.020 Pakiranje in distribucija blaga Packaging and distribution of
na splošno goods in general
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
oSIST prEN 18120-10:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 18120-10:2024
oSIST prEN 18120-10:2024
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 18120-10
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2024
ICS 13.030.50; 83.080.20; 55.020
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling for plastic packaging -
Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic
packaging - Protocols for PET bottles
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 10: Verfahren
zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von
Kunststoffverpackungen - Protokolle für Flaschen aus
PET
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 261.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18120-10:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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prEN 18120-10:2024 (E)
Contents Page
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Recyclability evaluation process . 6
4.1 Principle . 6
4.1.1 General . 6
4.1.2 Targeted uses and retained recycling technology . 7
4.1.3 List of Applicable unit operations for PET Bottles Recycling and corresponding test
procedures . 9
4.2 Testing procedures for pretreatment – Flakes preparation . 11
4.2.1 Pre-treatment grinding . 11
4.2.2 Pretreatment description for Prewashing, washing and rinsing . 11
4.2.3 Procedure for pre-washing . 11
4.2.4 Procedure for washing . 12
4.2.5 Procedure for hot rinsing . 12
4.2.6 Floatation . 12
4.2.7 Drying . 13
4.2.8 Air elutriation . 14
4.2.9 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark
values . 14
4.3 Testing procedures for treatment – Pellet extrusion . 16
4.3.1 Flakes blending for subsequent extrusion . 16
4.3.2 Extrusion – Pellet production . 16
4.3.3 Solid state polymerization (SSP) . 17
4.3.4 Crystallization . 18
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4.3.5 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark
values . 18
4.4 Testing procedures for conversion in articles . 19
4.4.1 Pellet blends preparation . 19
4.4.2 Conversion ROUTE 1 – PLAQUE INJECTION MOULDING . 20
4.4.3 Conversion ROUTE 2 step A – PREFORM INJECTION . 20
4.4.4 Conversion ROUTE 2 step B – BOTTLE BLOWING . 20
4.4.5 Assessments report, standard testing procedure and recommended benchmark
values . 23
Bibliography . 24
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European foreword
This document (prEN 18120-10:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261
“Packaging”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
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prEN 18120-10:2024 (E)
Introduction
EN 13820 consisting of 15 parts aims via a series of guidelines and protocols to establish consistency and
improvement for the Design for recycling of household, industrial and commercial plastic packaging.
— Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
— Part 2: Process and governance to evaluate the recyclability of plastic packaging
— Part 3: Sorting evaluation process for plastic packaging
— Part 4: Guideline and protocols for PET bottles
— Part 5: Guideline and protocols for PET other rigid packaging
— Part 6: Guideline and protocols for PE and PP rigid packaging
— Part 7: Guideline and protocols for PE and PP flexible packaging
— Part 8: Guideline and protocols for PS packaging
— Part 9: Guideline and protocols for EPS packaging
— Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET bottles
— Part 11: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET other rigid
packaging
— Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP rigid
packaging
— Part 13: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP flexible
packaging
— Part 14: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PS packaging
— Part 15: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for EPS packaging
Design for recycling guidelines are a common way of describing compatibility with plastic packaging
collection, sorting and recycling into high quality recycled plastic into state-of-the-art facilities. They
provide guidance on the level compatibility, defined as:
— green: Packaging constituents with full compatibility with recycling;
— yellow: Packaging constituents with limited compatibility with recycling;
— red: Packaging constituents which are not compatible with recycling.
Recyclability guidelines will require regular review and improvement to reflect innovations in design,
collection, sorting and recycling.
The Design for recycling guidelines provided in this series of standards are representative of the state of
the art in Europe and cover all steps from design for recycling, packaging waste collection, sorting,
recycling into recycled plastic and to use in a new application.
Packaging recyclability is the combination of two parameters: packaging designed for recycling and the
existence of a recycling stream. Design for recycling guidelines act as a first indicator.
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1 Scope
This document provides requirements for the evaluation process for PET Bottles with
respect to compatibility of the design with recycling processes.
Packaging components and ancillary elements made of other materials than PET are also covered by this
document as they need to be evaluated for compatibility with the recycling processes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
prEN 18120-1, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 1: Definitions and principles
for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
prEN 18120-4, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
EN ISO 1133-1, Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate
(MVR) of thermoplastics — Part 1: Standard method (ISO 1133-1)
EN ISO 1628-1, Plastics — Determination of the viscosity of polymers in dilute solution using capillary
viscometers — Part 1: General principles (ISO 1628-1)
ISO 11357-3, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 3: Determination of temperature
and enthalpy of melting and crystallization
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in prEN 18120-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Recyclability evaluation process
4.1 Principle
4.1.1 General
This document provides a method of evaluating the technical recyclability of a PET Bottle sample in
mechanical recycling processes as they are implemented in Europe. The results characterize both the
processability of the sample as well as the quality of the recycled plastic.
Depending on the choice of the sample, the method can either provide a technical recyclability
determination for a given packaging design or item, or it can be employed to selectively study the impact
of individual design elements of a PET Bottle on technical recyclability.
The latter approach may be employed to generate data for the updating of design-for-recycling
guidelines.
The test method follows the steps (unit operations) that occur in a mechanical recycling process for
PET bottles and seeks to simulate each operation on a laboratory scale.
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The relevant unit operations are shown in Table 1. Steps 0 to 5 describe the plastic recycling process itself
whereas step 6 represent the conversion of the recycled PET into articles, either preforms/bottles or
plaques. As such, steps 0 to 4 provide information on the processability of the sample whereas step 5 and
6 provide information on the quality of the recycled plastic that can be obtained.
To perform the recyclability Evaluation process, the below elements shall be considered:
— Design for recyclability evaluation process guidelines on PET bottles described by prEN 18120-4,
Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging products — Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles;
— targeted intended use(s) for the final recyclate, this is needed to ensure the testing will be made in
relation to dedicated specifications, as described in prEN 18120-1, Packaging — Design for recycling
of plastic packaging — Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging.
And in this document:
— list of unit operations for the whole process until the recyclate is used (grinding, washing, extrusion,
… for example);
— specification of unit operations process capability to be used for the evaluation based on state of the
art of PET bottle recycling processes in Europe (grinding size for example);
— relevant process conditions settings for testing for all relevant unit operations (temperature for
washing for example);
— list of mandatory sampling and tests to be performed on the samples for each unit operation. (IV
measurement as per EN ISO 1628-1 for example);
— reference benchmark recommendation values for assessing the results of the tests performed
(Colour deviation Delta E below 1 for example) and help building the final assessment.
The goal of the evaluation process is to identify all foreseeable critical points and establish a testing
strategy that either confirms or excludes a negative impact for each critical point considered. The testing
strategy will use all or only some of the tests described below that will depend on the innovation type
and expected impacts on the recycling process and the recyclate. The sample size to be tested is also part
of the testing strategy definition. The reasoning for the testing strategy deployed will be described.
The final reporting shall include all relevants related to:
— innovation description;
— intended use of the innovation and assumed market penetration;
— testing strategy reasoning and description;
— relevant elements from tables from 4.2.9, 4.3.5 and 4.4.5;
— all relevant elements used to support assessment;
— final conclusion and result of assessment.
4.1.2 Targeted uses and retained recycling technology
Table 1 describes the targeted uses of the recyclate to be produced and assumed recycling technology to
produce the recyclate. It also includes the secondary outlet to be considered and the at scale situation as
well as the grading impact to assume when assessing the innovation.
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Table 1 — PET bottle recycling state-of-the-art
Packaging type Recycling type State-of-the-art outlet
Clear PET bottle Mechanical recycling Bottle (contact sensitive)
Coloured PET bottle Mechanical recycling Bottle (contact sensitive)
Opaque PET bottle Mechanical recycling Bottle (contact sensitive)
White opaque PET bottle Mechanical recycling Bottle (contact sensitive)
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4.1.3 List of Applicable unit operations for PET Bottles Recycling and corresponding test procedures
For PET Bottles the following unit operations are applicable to the whole process until the recyclate is used to form articles.
The ‘reference test procedures’ column of Table 2 refers to the subclauses of this document.
Table 2 — Recycling trial unit operations
Step # Unit operation High level process description representing the industrial steps Reference test procedures
1 Control selection Before any testing is undertaken, control material to compare the
evaluated packaging needs to be selected. The reference material will be
virgin PET, without recycled material.
2 Pre-treatment: flakes This step simulates the preparation of PET bottle flakes by grinding,
preparation washing and sink/float separation
2.1 Pre-treatment: grinding Control and evaluated application PET bottles are separately ground in 4.2.1 Pre-treatment grinding
order to fit the throat of a laboratory extruder.
2.2 Pre-treatment – Pre- Simulation of the prewashing step, in hot water with caustic and with 4.2.3 Pretreatment -
washing mechanical agitation. Prewashing
2.3 Pre-treatment - Washing Simulation of the washing step, in hot water and caustic with detergent 4.2.4 Pretreatement -
and mechanical agitation Washing
2.4 Pre-treatment - Hot rinsing Simulation of the rinsing step, in hot conditions, without additives and 4.2.5 Pretreatement - Hot
with mechanical agitation rinsing
2.5 Pre-treatment - Cold rinsing Simulation of cold rinsing and flotation process allowing PET flake 4.2.6 Pretreatment – Cold
and floatation separation from polyolefins (caps and labels) by density in water without rinsing and floatation
additives.
2.6 Pre-treatment - Drying Reduce the flake moisture with hot air. 4.2.7 Pretreatment – Drying
2.7 Pre-treatment: air Control and evaluated application; PET flakes are separately elutriated 4.2.8 Pretreatment – Air
elutriation with air to remove light fraction. elutriation
3 Treatment: Pellets This step simulates the production of PET pellets via extrusion and
preparation polycondensation by solid state process
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prEN 18120-10:2024 (E)
Step # Unit operation High level process description representing the industrial steps Reference test procedures
3.1 Extrusion – flake blends Once the materials from the control and evaluated application have 4.3.1 Treatment - Flakes
preparation and separately gone through all pre-treatment steps (2.1-2.5) blending with blending for subsequent
composition the reference material will be prepared as per agreed test program. extrusion.
Common blending ratios are 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 %
3.2 Extrusion – pellet Flakes are dried to reduce moisture as carried out in an industrial line. 4.3.2 Treatment – Pellet
production They are then extruded and filtered and pelletized into cylindrical pellets. production
4 Crystallization and SSP These operations will be performed to: 4.3.3 Treatment – Solid state
polymerization
— either assess IV increase rate and then assess the colour on plaque
moulding these pellets 4.3.4 Treatment –
Crystallization
or to be injected into preforms and then blow moulded to assess
bottle performance
5 Conversion in articles — This step simulates the conversion of the above pellets in articles
(plaques or preforms and bottles)
5.1 Conversion – Plaques Route 1: Once PET pellets have been produced and tested, reference 4.4.2 Conversion – Plaque
pellets and samples will be mixed at 50 % and standardized plaques will
be moulded to assess quality.
5.2 Conversion – preform Route 2: Once PET pellets have been produced the applicant will convert 4.4.3 Conversion – Preforms
injection and bottles blow them in preforms and bottles and performances and quality of the bottles
4.4.4 Conversion – Bottles
moulding will be assessed.
NOTE This document does not describe sorting steps that occur at material recovery facilities (MRF) or plastics recovery facilities (PRF). For the evaluation of
such sorting operations, references is made to prEN 18120-3.
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4.2 Testing procedures for pretreatment – Flakes preparation
4.2.1 Pre-treatment grinding
Control and innovation samples are separately ground to fit the throat of a laboratory extruder.
Procedure:
— report the mass of each sample before grinding as m in the table in Annex X;
— grind separately control and innovation sample to flakes using a 12 mm screen;
— report if high quantities of fines (<1 mm) are obtained;
— store in separate containers;
— take photos of each fraction;
— keep about 20 g of control and innovation flakes for IV and colour measurement. Remove this
mass from m to have a fair comparison of m to m ;
0 1 0
— report the mass of each sample after grinding as m ;
— during grinding, ensure that no overheating happens on the material (for example due to dull
knives).
4.2.2 Pretreatment description for Prewashing, washing and rinsing
Control and innovation samples are washed to test the impact on hot washing operations. Washing
for PET bottles is commonly made in presence of caustic soda as well as detergents and is multiple
steps process. The following procedures shall be utilized for both control and innovation samples
separately.
The tank to be used should respect the following conditions:
— sized to allow water and PET flake to be mixed at a 4:1 ratio by weight;
— will allow a recommended ratio of the water height-to-the tank width of 0,8 to 1,0 and not less
than 0,6 or greater than 1,5;
— fitted with a mixer with an impellor blade length at least 0,33 of the mixing tank diameter or
width, and with variable speed capability for impeller;
— incorporating at least three baffles when a round tank is used: baffles not necessary in a square
tank.
4.2.3 Procedure for pre-washing
— Prepare the pre-washing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 85 °C
with a solution of 1 wt% NaOH and 1 wt% MacDermid Master RP 14-LF detergent.
— Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 240 rpm for
5 minutes.
— Flakes are collected and separated from the pre-washing solution over a vibrating table and
through a centrifuge.
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— Take photos of the pre-washed solution and flakes after pre-washing.
4.2.4 Procedure for washing
— Prepare the washing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 85 °C
with a solution of 1 wt% NaOH and 1 wt% MacDermid Master RP 14-LF detergent.
— Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 240 rpm for
6 minutes and 40 seconds.
— Flakes are collected and separated from the washing solution over a vibrating table and
through a centrifuge.
— Take photos of the washed solution and flakes after washing.
4.2.5 Procedure for hot rinsing
— Prepare the hot rinsing stainless steel tank for a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 85 °C
with tap water.
— Wash each sample separately at a 1:4 ratio (1 kg flakes vs 4 L solution) at 240 rpm for
3 minutes and 20 seconds.
— Flakes are collected and separated from the hot rinsing solution over a vibrating table and
through a centrifuge.
— Take photos of the hot rinsing solution and flakes after hot rinsing.
— Report the mass of each sample after hot rinsing as m .
4.2.6 Floatation
The density separation will determine if the flakes can be separated by density in the float/sink
tank used in the recycling operation. Density separation will happen at the same time as the cold
rinsing step.
The following procedure shall be utilized for both control and innovation samples separately.
Procedure:
— pour the washed flakes in a tank filled with water at a 1:10 ratio at a room temperature;
— stir at 240 rpm for 5 minutes;
— stop the stirrer and allow the water to rest for 5 minutes;
— remove the stirrer from the tank;
— collect all particles that float on the surface with a sieve;
— collect separately the flakes that sunk;
— report the mass of innovation sample after sink-float separation as m3f and m3s for floating
and sinking fraction respectively (Annex X).
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prEN 18120-10:2024 (E)
The efficiency of the sink/float separation should be measured using 50 g of washed flakes of
innovative samples and a graduated beaker filled with tap water, as described by
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