A Greener Bottle on Trial: PEF Faces Two-Year Test

EU extends PEF recycling trial through 2027, with RecyClass backing and cautious industry optimism.

13 Jul 2025

Europe's push for greener packaging has taken another step forward. The European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) has extended its trial of polyethylene furanoate, or PEF, a plant-based plastic made from renewable resources. The trial will now run from July 2025 to June 2027.

PEF promises lighter bottles, longer shelf life, and stronger resistance to gas than standard PET. The challenge is whether its different chemistry can blend seamlessly into existing recycling systems. Early tests are encouraging, showing PEF mixes well with recycled PET under controlled conditions.

In June, RecyClass added weight to the case by validating PEF's recyclability, a move that strengthens confidence across the industry. For Avantium, the Dutch company behind the material, the extension offers time to gather real-world data and convince brand owners and recyclers alike. "The additional trial time is essential for building confidence and proving PEF's compatibility," a company spokesperson said.

Some beverage brands are already experimenting with pilot bottles as they look ahead to stricter EU rules on recycled content. Yet broader adoption still depends on how PEF performs through repeated collection and sorting, and whether recycling systems can reliably detect and separate it.

Analysts see the move as part of a wider shift toward new materials that marry performance with sustainability. The road is not without obstacles, especially in scaling production and aligning Europe's patchwork recycling infrastructure. But if the next two years confirm the early promise, PEF could soon play a central role in Europe's circular packaging economy.