Safety assessment of the process Martogg Group, based on EREMA Advanced technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

Abstract

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) assessed the safety of the recycling process Martogg Group (EU register number RECYC207), which uses the EREMA Advanced technology. The input is hot washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post-consumer PET containers, containing no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The flakes are heated in continuous reactors under vacuum before being extruded. The recycled pellets are intended to be used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long-term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The applicant has not provided a proper description of the process, has not demonstrated in an adequately performed challenge test, or provided other appropriate evidence, that the recycling process is able to reduce contamination of the PET flake input to a concentration that does not pose a risk to human health. Therefore, the Panel could not conclude on the safety of the recycling process Martogg Group.