Working Groups

The Advocacy Working Group has been established in December 2023.

Through its mission and related activities Advocacy WG contributes to meet PETCORE EUROPE’s vision that is:

PETCORE EUROPE’s vision is to achieve widespread recognition of the performance of PET as a circular material of choice for packaging and to make sure that PET is collected, sorted and recycled.

The Advocacy Working Group mission is:

•    To influence decisions by bringing good quality information to decision makers (Commission, MEPs, Council). 
•    To communicate and work with the decision makers, proposing to them solutions and guidance that are reflecting the edge of technology and science.
•    To liaise with other EU associations, when there are common positions, to advance policy objectives
•    Be an enabler for activating PETCORE EUROPE’s stakeholder engagement plan.
•    To work for the alignment of PET value chain within the legislative environment
•    To represent the PET industry in front of the European institutions and other stakeholders,
•    To communicate accordingly that that PET is positioned as an outstanding packaging material and recognized as circular.

For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Leading the Way in Polyester Textile Circularity

As the foremost Brussels-based organisation in the PET value chain, PETCORE EUROPE is exceptionally well-placed to lead the transition toward circularity in polyester textiles. With decades of expertise and a robust infrastructure, we are now extending our efforts beyond PET packaging to tackle the challenges of polyester fibre recycling in textiles.

 Established Infrastructure and Advanced & Mechanical Recycling Technologies

• A Legacy of Expertise: Since our inception in 1993, we have become widely recognised for our extensive experience in the collection, sorting, and recycling of PET, particularly for packaging applications. This well-established infrastructure is now being adapted to address similar challenges in the textile industry, where PET is used in the form of polyester fibres.
• Leading-Edge Recycling Solutions: We are at the forefront of advanced & mechanical recycling technologies, supported by over 20 technology providers. These innovations are being tailored to manage polyester textiles, enabling the efficient recycling of used garments into high-quality recycled fibres that can be reintroduced into the production cycle.

 Comprehensive Value Chain Engagement and Commitment to Sustainability

• Broad Collaboration Across the Value Chain: Having built strong partnerships with packaging stakeholders across the entire PET value chain - including producers, recyclers, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, major packaging brands, and end-users – we are now expanding this collaborative network to include textile stakeholders, fashion brands, and industry associations, paving the way for a unified approach to textile circularity.

• Integrated Circularity Approach: Through our active involvement in every stage of the PET product lifecycle—from production to recycling—we are well-equipped to promote circular practices in textiles. By ensuring alignment between design, collection, and recycling processes, we maximise the potential for circularity in polyester-based products.
• Commitment to Environmental Sustainability: As a key advocate for reducing the environmental impact of PET products, we are extending our commitment to include the textile industry, aiming to significantly reduce textile waste and increase the use of recycled polyester. 

• Innovation and Research: With a strong focus on innovation in recycling technologies, we are achieving groundbreaking advancements in textile recycling, including: 
  • Depolymerisation processes that can handle complex textile compositions, including mixed fibre content. 
  • Last generation Mechanical recycling processes

 Influence in Policy and Industry Standards

• Policy Leadership: PETCORE EUROPE plays a pivotal role in shaping European policies and regulations related to PET recycling. We are now leveraging this expertise to advocate for circularity in polyester textiles - including the promotion of EPR schemes and mandatory recycled content in textile products. Our contributions to setting up Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) demonstrate our ability to enhance recycling rates, reduce litter, and achieve economies of scale. 

• Standardisation and Best Practices: By developing industry-wide recycling guidelines, standards, and best practices for PET packaging, we are ensuring efficient, high-quality recycling processes. These standards are now being elaborated for the textile industry, helping to create consistent quality benchmarks and support the adoption of circular practices. 

Cross-Sector Synergies and Circular Economy Integration

• Material Synergies Between Packaging and Textiles: PET is a common material used in both packaging and textiles, and PETCORE EUROPE’s expertise in PET recycling creates valuable synergies between these two sectors. Technologies initially developed for recycling PET bottles are now being adapted to recycle polyester textiles, resulting in economies of scale and improved recycling efficiency. 

• Circular Economy Leadership: As a key driver of the circular economy for PET packaging, we aim to serve as a model for the textile industry, aligning with the EU Textile Strategy. Our organisation is well-positioned to integrate circular principles into textile manufacturing, encouraging a more sustainable and holistic approach to resource efficiency across multiple sectors.

With our extensive experience in PET recycling, strong industry collaborations, and dedication to sustainability, we are poised to lead the effort toward circularity in the polyester textile industry. By expanding our focus from packaging to textiles, PETCORE EUROPE is playing a crucial role in creating a more sustainable and circular future for polyester-based products, helping to reduce waste and promote the use of recycled materials in the fashion and textile sectors.

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview of membership fees, please contact us via  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PETCORE EUROPE is pleased to announce the launch of a new Special Industry Group (SIG) for PET white light barrier applications.

Currently, in some countries we notice a switch from HDPE to PET packaging for dairy products. There is a potential for other markets to follow. This potential switch from HDPE and also PS to PET could justify separate recycling streams. The Circular Plastics Alliance and Essential Requirements of Packaging require full recyclability, deadlines are tight and it is time to move as soon as possible in the right direction to prove a concept of circularity.

As a result of this PETCORE EUROPE'S plan is to launch the SIG to convince EPRs as well as European and National Policymakers by developing technical guidelines to ensure recyclability, business models and closed stream proposals.

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview on the membership fees, please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PETCORE EUROPE is creating a new BOPET WG that will:

1. Build awareness of the positive role that BOPET films currently play in the flexible packaging industry;
2. Develop Mono PET pouches as a circular alternative to other mono material structures;
3. Demonstrate that flexible PET structures are the gold standard in terms of material efficiency, processing efficiency and high yield closed loop recycling;
4. Develop test protocols to evaluate best in class compatibility in both mechanical and monomer recycling streams;
5. Work with other stakeholders to analyse the necessary conditions and create a collection and recycling stream for BOPET;   
6. Work with the thermoforms evaluation platform to establish recyclability assessment of BOPET Films used in packaging.

Volunteers are welcome to join! Interested to know more? please contact us on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PETCORE EUROPE has started a Labels working group in 2021.

It focuses on recyclability of labels and how labels can improve recyclability of the bottles (identification and sorting).

Several task forces have been created to address the recyclability of the different types of existing labels.

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview on the membership fees, please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PETCORE Europe Technical Committee organizes and coordinates the activities of the working groups.

The technical committee is composed of the chairs of the working groups and holds 2 closed meetings a year.

A technical committee forum is held once a year for all the PETCORE Europe members to keep the community aware of the strategic orientations and key results.

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview on the membership fees, please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PET: Enabling a Circular Economy

PET plays a critical role in food packaging by ensuring product safety while supporting circularity and climate efficiency.

From beverage bottles to food-grade thermoforms, PET contributes to:

• • • • High safety and hygiene standards
      • Recyclability-Circularity and resource efficiency
      • Reduced environmental impact through continuous innovation

Robust Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is essential to demonstrate these benefits and support alignment with EU ambitions for 2025, 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050.

Supporting Better Environmental Decision-Making Across the PET Value Chain

The LCA Working Group supports PETCORE EUROPE members in understanding and assessing the environmental impact of PET across its full value chain.

While LCA is not currently mandated by legislation, it is widely recognised as the most robust and comprehensive methodology to evaluate the environmental implications of materials, products, and system changes. It enables informed, data-driven decisions and ensures that sustainability improvements are based on measurable outcomes rather than assumptions.

In the context of evolving EU policies and increasing scrutiny on environmental claims, LCA plays a critical role in ensuring credibility, consistency, and transparency.

Focus & Objectives

The LCA Working Group is focused on enabling the PET value chain to:

• • • • Understand the importance and application of LCA in assessing environmental performance
      • Access expert knowledge and guidance on LCA methodologies and interpretation
      • Validate the environmental impact of innovations and system changes across the PET lifecycle
      • Support credible sustainability communication with harmonised, science-based data

A key enabler of this work is the PETCORE EUROPE LCA Tool, which provides members with a practical and robust solution to perform consistent and reliable assessments.

In addition, the Working Group:

• • • • Monitors external studies and environmental claims
      • Provides clarity on methodologies and assumptions used in the market
      • Supports alignment across the industry on key environmental indicators

Who Participates

The Working Group brings together:

• • • • LCA specialists
      • Sustainability and environmental experts
      • Representatives from PETCORE EUROPE members across the PET value chain

It operates with the support of PETCORE EUROPE’s technical and management team.

PETCORE EUROPE LCA Tool

A Robust and Regulatory-Aligned Solution

To support its members, PETCORE EUROPE has developed the PETCORE LCA Tool, in collaboration with Pilario. This dedicated LCA solution provides a comprehensive, scientifically validated approach to assessing environmental performance across the full lifecycle—from raw materials to recycling.

Key Features

• • • • Independently third-party reviewed
      • Based on certified LCA methodologies
      • Fully aligned with key EU frameworks:
        • Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
        • EU Taxonomy
        • GHG Protocol (Scopes 1, 2 & 3)
        • Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
      • Calculation of:
        • Product Carbon Footprint
        • 12 additional environmental impact indicators
      • Advanced scenario modelling, including:
        • PET vs alternative materials
        • Virgin vs recycled content
        • Collection systems (e.g. DRS vs curbside)
      • Coverage of:
        • PET bottles (clear, coloured and opaque)
        • PET thermoforms
        • Additives
        • Mechanical & chemical recycling
        • Reuse systems
      • Customised, member-specific results (no reliance on generic averages)
      • Automated LCA reports for internal and external use

Member Benefits

• • • • Cost-effective alternative to consultancy-driven LCAs
      • Access to reliable, regulatory-ready environmental data
      • Applicable across the entire PET value chain
      • Supports decision-making, reporting, and communication

Access & Subscription

The PETCORE EUROPE LCA Tool is exclusively available to PETCORE members, and they are invited to:

• • • • Subscribe to the tool
      • Benefit from a one-month free access period
      • Explore its full capabilities for sustainability reporting and strategic decision-making

To apply for Working Group membership and to get an overview on the membership fees, please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..