The QT-AIT.Circularity provides a fast and cost-efficient method to simulate the impact of multiple mechanical recycling loops on PET recyclate quality. The test supports early-stage evaluation of packaging concepts and complements EPBP’s existing tools for assessing PET bottle circularity.
QT-AIT.Circularity follows the structure of the established EPBP Quick Tests. These tests provide an early indicative view of recyclability and circularity performance:
• Easy to apply in standard laboratory settings
• Cost-efficient, using standard materials and limited resources
• Indicative results to support design decisions
Results from QT-AIT.Circularity are indicative and should be validated through comprehensive testing under EPBP’s formal protocols to confirm recyclability and circularity performance.
The test supports the growing need to understand how packaging behaves over repeated recycling cycles. By simulating multiple recycling steps, QT-AIT.Circularity provides early insights into long-term effects on recyclate quality, especially as the use of recycled PET (rPET) increases under European regulatory requirements.
The QT-AIT.Circularity is available on the EPBP website for packaging developers, converters and brand owners. It complements the EPBP Circularity Test Protocol, which extends assessments beyond recyclability to align with European regulatory expectations related to circularity.
EPBP recommends integrating circularity criteria at the research and development stage. Early use of tools such as QT-AIT.Circularity helps reduce the risk of packaging designs meeting recyclability criteria but not circularity requirements at later stages.
