The use of recycled plastics in demanding end products is gaining momentum worldwide – driven by regulatory requirements and sustainability targets set by brand owners. At Chinaplas, taking place from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Shanghai, EREMA is showcasing how established recycling technologies enable consistently high-quality regranulates for a wide range of applications.
“Many companies are currently addressing specific questions about which applications recyclates can and will be used for today and in the future. These are exactly the topics we are addressing at Chinaplas.”
James Qiu, General Manager at EREMA Shanghai
PET recycling solutions allowing flexibility
A key focus lies on PET recycling solutions designed for different target markets. In China, PET recyclates are currently mainly used for sheets, fibers, or packaging. At the same time, EREMA technology allows recyclers to move into food-grade and bottle-to-bottle applications as soon as market conditions permit. Proven systems such as VACUREMA® and VACUNITE® have been approved by globally recognised food safety authorities to produce food-grade rPET. They also meet the latest European requirements for decontamination and process validation.
"Our PET technologies offer customers maximum flexibility. The regranulates are used in applications such as sheets, fibers, or packaging. As soon as the market opens up for bottle-to-bottle recycling, our customers can immediately enter this segment as well."
Christoph Wöss, Global Sales Director at EREMA
"The majority of rPET in China is currently used in textile production," adds James Qiu. "With a future opening of bottle-to-bottle recycling, it will be crucial to establish solutions that keep PET within its respective loops." With the PET fiber-to-fiber technology FibrePro:IV, as well as the investment announced in October in Australian clean-technology pioneer BlockTexx®, EREMA is consistently expanding its expertise in textile recycling.
Post-consumer recycling is gaining momentum
Post-consumer recycling is gaining importance – including with regard to food-grade suitability. Together with Polymer Matters and joint venture partner Lindner Washtech, EREMA has realised a recycling process in which HDPE milk bottles are reintegrated into the bottle loop. The project has recently reached the next stage in the European Commission’s novel technology process.
While post-consumer regranulates are already being used in high-quality film and regrind products in Europe, there are still only a few applications in China. One pioneering example is INTCO. The company uses INTAREMA® TVEplus® technology with a Laserfilter for EPS recycling. "The regranulates are used in premium products such as picture and photo frames, " James Qiu says.
With decades of experience in Asia and a strong local presence in China, EREMA supports recyclers in developing solutions that keep materials in their respective loops and enable high-quality recycling at scale.
