PFE Recyclability Evaluations

Recyclability Evaluations address the Sustainability of the package, additive, coating, label, adhesive, new resin, or barrier resin by utilizing either the APR or PETCORE protocols.

Our Innovative Standard Tests are the anchor of PFE's comprehensive 3-tiered approach of QC testing, short-run pilot testing, and then semi-commercial testing to ensure a client's package passes these criteria.

The tests listed below are consistent with APR and PETCORE practices and guidelines for
package recyclability testing.

Diagnostic/Quick Tests

Colored Bottle Evaluation
Dirty Flake Analysis
Wash Line Analysis
Shrink Label Evaluation
Low Melt/Drying Evaluation
Non-Food Bottle Evaluation
Oven and Flake Contamination
Barrier ID and Quantification
APR Bleeding Label Evaluation
APR Dissolution Quality

Process Evaluations

Grinding Evaluation
Air Separation
Prewash Analysis
Washing/Chemistry Effects
Drying Effects
Extrusion Evaluation
Solid Stating Evaluation
Waste Water Testing

Pilot Product Evaluation

Bottle
Fiber
Sheet

PFE STANDARD EQUIPMENT LIST
Pilot Processing Equipment

Grinding and Air Separation System
Prewash/Wash System
Desiccant Drying System
Injection Molding System
Particle Separation System
Extrusion Line Capabilities
Pelletizing
Compounding
Crystallizing System
Solid Stating System

Laboratory Testing Equipment

Multiple Ovens
Microscopy
Spectrophotometer
Digital Photographic Processing
Melt Indexer
Intrinsic Viscosity
Particle Size Distribution

PFE Colored Bottle Impact on Waste stream Evaluation

This test determines the effect of colored PET when placed into the Recycle Stream - by determining a threshold for the maximum level of colored material acceptable in the Stream.

What does this analysis involve?
Grinding, Blending, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze, Analysis of data and Storyboard.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum of 2000 grams of test bottles.

For more specific information including testing cost and time for completion click here for test inquiries.

What is the Deliverable?
Data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report (of varying length depending on the project), and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Colored Bottle Evaluation.

PFE Analysis of Dirty Flake

What does this analysis involve?
There are 3 options available as part of a Dirty Flake analysis. These options may be selected separately or combined for a more thorough analysis.

Option 1: QC Test
Option 2: Small Wash Evaluation
Option 3: QC Test, Small Wash Evaluation, Molded Plaque

What does PFE need from me?

Option 1: minimum 5 lbs. material per sample
Option 2: minimum 10 lbs. material per sample
Option 3: minimum 20 lbs. material per sample

What is the Deliverable?
Data and analysis is provided to the client through a report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Dirty Flake Analysis.

PFE Wash Line Analysis

A Wash Line Analysis utilizes 3 experiments to determine what effect the presence of a particular material will have on the wash process, including the material used in the wash.

What does this analysis involve?

Experiment 1 - Chemical Usage Analysis
Determines chemical usage by sampling water before and after filtration. Test for solids, pH, alkalinity
Experiment 2 - Contamination in Water Loops and Yield Analysis
Measures amounts of filtered contamination in loops by sampling sludge, fines, and misc. contamination. Analysis of water losses and the defined contamination on yield and cost to the process and disposal.
Experiment 3 - Waste Water Cost Effect for Paper and Plastics
Analysis of input composition for benchmark tests for solids to reduce cost effect from water usage, chemical loss, and chemical treatment usage.

What does PFE need from me?
Material needed to conduct this analysis includes 1gallon samples of the wash loop and a 5 pound sample of the filtrate to be evaluated.

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Wash Line Analysis.

Shrink Label Evaluation

What does this analysis involve?
This method involves Grinding, Air Separating, and then a Sink/Float process evaluation, followed by a Molded Plaque process.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum of 25 lbs. of labeled bottles.

What is the Deliverable?
Data and the analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.

Low Melt/Sticking Evaluation

What does this analysis involve?
The following evaluation is used to determine the minimum level of test material sticking with recycled PET in a calculated percentage blend.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum 30 lbs. of material depending on blending levels.

Non-Food Bottle Testing

What does this analysis involve?
RPET material is processed and made into sample bottles with post-consumer content. The sample is then tested for product quality.

What does PFE need from me?
100 lbs. of material (bottles or flake)

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Bottle to Bottle Testing.

Oven and Flake Contamination Test

What does this analysis involve?
The following protocol is used to determine levels of contamination from different components of PET bottles (PVC, labels, adhesives etc.). Using standard wash methods and Air separation, samples will undergo oven tests to differentiate the PET from the additive materials.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum of 15 lbs. of flake material.

Barrier ID and Quantification

Barrier Recycling Protocol

A series of tests to diagnose the effect of the barrier material, the removal efficiency of a standard recycling process and the effect of drying temperatures, extrusion, and solid stating while producing test samples for laboratory evaluation.

What does this evaluation involve?

Experiment 1 (Determination of Maximum Level of Barrier Material)
Grinding, Blending, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze and IV's, Analysis of data.
Experiment 2 (Removal Efficiency of Standard Recycling Process)
Grinding, Air separation (1st pass), Wash, Air separation (2nd pass), Drying, Removal efficiency, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze and IV's, Analysis of data.
Experiment 3 (Effect of High Drying Temperature, Extrusions, and Solid Stating)
Blending material, Injection molded plaques or bottles, Solid Stating of Pellets, Colors, Haze and IV's and Analysis of data.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require 60 pounds of barrier bottles, plus 85 pounds of control bottles. The total material to be shipped to PFE will total 145 pounds.

What is the Deliverable?
The data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Barrier Evaluation.

APR Bleeding Label Evaluation

What does this analysis involve?
Grinding, Wash Evaluation, Air Separation, Color Evaluation of flake, Injection molded plaques, Color and IV, Report and Storyboard.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum of 300 grams of labels.

What is the Deliverable?
Data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report (portions shown below), and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.

What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete?
PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Label/Adhesive Evaluation.

APR Dissolution Quality

What does this analysis involve?
The following protocol is used to evaluate the suitability of post consumer PET for some recycling applications by dissolving the test material in DEG and filtering.

What does PFE need from me?
The above evaluation will require a minimum of 10 lbs. of resin material.




	PFE Standard Tests APR and EPBP Quick Links: Colored Bottle Evaluation Dirty Flake Analysis Wash Line Analysis Shrink Label Evaluation Low Melt/Drying Evaluation Non-Food Bottle Evaluation Oven and Flake Contamination Barrier ID and Quantification APR Bleeding Label Evaluation APR Dissolution Quality		PFE Recyclability Evaluations Recyclability Evaluations address the Sustainability of the package, additive, coating, label, adhesive, new resin, or barrier resin by utilizing either the APR or PETCORE protocols. Our Innovative Standard Tests are the anchor of PFE's comprehensive 3-tiered approach of QC testing, short-run pilot testing, and then semi-commercial testing to ensure a client's package passes these criteria. The tests listed below are consistent with APR and PETCORE practices and guidelines for package recyclability testing. Diagnostic/Quick Tests Colored Bottle Evaluation Dirty Flake Analysis Wash Line Analysis Shrink Label Evaluation Low Melt/Drying Evaluation Non-Food Bottle Evaluation Oven and Flake Contamination Barrier ID and Quantification APR Bleeding Label Evaluation APR Dissolution Quality Process Evaluations Grinding Evaluation Air Separation Prewash Analysis Washing/Chemistry Effects Drying Effects Extrusion Evaluation Solid Stating Evaluation Waste Water Testing Pilot Product Evaluation Bottle Fiber Sheet PFE STANDARD EQUIPMENT LIST Pilot Processing Equipment Grinding and Air Separation System Prewash/Wash System Desiccant Drying System Injection Molding System Particle Separation System Extrusion Line Capabilities Pelletizing Compounding Crystallizing System Solid Stating System Laboratory Testing Equipment Multiple Ovens Microscopy Spectrophotometer Digital Photographic Processing Melt Indexer Intrinsic Viscosity Particle Size Distribution PFE Colored Bottle Impact on Waste stream Evaluation This test determines the effect of colored PET when placed into the Recycle Stream - by determining a threshold for the maximum level of colored material acceptable in the Stream. What does this analysis involve? Grinding, Blending, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze, Analysis of data and Storyboard. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum of 2000 grams of test bottles. For more specific information including testing cost and time for completion click here for test inquiries. What is the Deliverable? Data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report (of varying length depending on the project), and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Colored Bottle Evaluation. PFE Analysis of Dirty Flake What does this analysis involve? There are 3 options available as part of a Dirty Flake analysis. These options may be selected separately or combined for a more thorough analysis. Option 1: QC Test Option 2: Small Wash Evaluation Option 3: QC Test, Small Wash Evaluation, Molded Plaque What does PFE need from me? Option 1: minimum 5 lbs. material per sample Option 2: minimum 10 lbs. material per sample Option 3: minimum 20 lbs. material per sample What is the Deliverable? Data and analysis is provided to the client through a report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Dirty Flake Analysis. PFE Wash Line Analysis A Wash Line Analysis utilizes 3 experiments to determine what effect the presence of a particular material will have on the wash process, including the material used in the wash. What does this analysis involve? Experiment 1 - Chemical Usage Analysis Determines chemical usage by sampling water before and after filtration. Test for solids, pH, alkalinity Experiment 2 - Contamination in Water Loops and Yield Analysis Measures amounts of filtered contamination in loops by sampling sludge, fines, and misc. contamination. Analysis of water losses and the defined contamination on yield and cost to the process and disposal. Experiment 3 - Waste Water Cost Effect for Paper and Plastics Analysis of input composition for benchmark tests for solids to reduce cost effect from water usage, chemical loss, and chemical treatment usage. What does PFE need from me? Material needed to conduct this analysis includes 1gallon samples of the wash loop and a 5 pound sample of the filtrate to be evaluated. What is the Deliverable? Data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report (of varying length depending on the project), and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Wash Line Analysis. Shrink Label Evaluation What does this analysis involve? This method involves Grinding, Air Separating, and then a Sink/Float process evaluation, followed by a Molded Plaque process. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum of 25 lbs. of labeled bottles. What is the Deliverable? Data and the analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. Low Melt/Sticking Evaluation What does this analysis involve? The following evaluation is used to determine the minimum level of test material sticking with recycled PET in a calculated percentage blend. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum 30 lbs. of material depending on blending levels. What is the Deliverable? Data and the analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. Non-Food Bottle Testing What does this analysis involve? RPET material is processed and made into sample bottles with post-consumer content. The sample is then tested for product quality. What does PFE need from me? 100 lbs. of material (bottles or flake) What is the Deliverable? Data and analysis is provided to the client through a report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts In the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Bottle to Bottle Testing. Oven and Flake Contamination Test What does this analysis involve? The following protocol is used to determine levels of contamination from different components of PET bottles (PVC, labels, adhesives etc.). Using standard wash methods and Air separation, samples will undergo oven tests to differentiate the PET from the additive materials. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum of 15 lbs. of flake material. What is the Deliverable? Data and the analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. Barrier ID and Quantification Barrier Recycling Protocol A series of tests to diagnose the effect of the barrier material, the removal efficiency of a standard recycling process and the effect of drying temperatures, extrusion, and solid stating while producing test samples for laboratory evaluation. What does this evaluation involve? Experiment 1 (Determination of Maximum Level of Barrier Material) Grinding, Blending, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze and IV's, Analysis of data. Experiment 2 (Removal Efficiency of Standard Recycling Process) Grinding, Air separation (1st pass), Wash, Air separation (2nd pass), Drying, Removal efficiency, Injection molded plaques, Color, Haze and IV's, Analysis of data. Experiment 3 (Effect of High Drying Temperature, Extrusions, and Solid Stating) Blending material, Injection molded plaques or bottles, Solid Stating of Pellets, Colors, Haze and IV's and Analysis of data. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require 60 pounds of barrier bottles, plus 85 pounds of control bottles. The total material to be shipped to PFE will total 145 pounds. What is the Deliverable? The data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Barrier Evaluation. APR Bleeding Label Evaluation What does this analysis involve? Grinding, Wash Evaluation, Air Separation, Color Evaluation of flake, Injection molded plaques, Color and IV, Report and Storyboard. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum of 300 grams of labels. What is the Deliverable? Data and analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report (portions shown below), and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report. What will it cost and how long will the work take to complete? PFE will quickly provide you with a cost estimate for your Label/Adhesive Evaluation. APR Dissolution Quality What does this analysis involve? The following protocol is used to evaluate the suitability of post consumer PET for some recycling applications by dissolving the test material in DEG and filtering. What does PFE need from me? The above evaluation will require a minimum of 10 lbs. of resin material. What is the Deliverable? Data and the analysis of the data is provided to the client through a comprehensive report, and PFE's well-known storyboard. The storyboard is a dynamic presentation of the data providing a relevant visual context for the numbers and charts in the report.