The German mechanical engineering company Kreyenborg has achieved a significant milestone under the new Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). At the end of May 2025, the authority issued a positive scientific opinion on its IR-Clean infrared technology for the manufacturer, which specializes in bulk-material processing technology in the plastics and food sectors. This process decontaminates recycled PET flakes, which can then be reprocessed into food packaging intended for contact with all types of food. With EFSA's approval of the process, Kreyenborg's IR-Clean system will receive a unique Recycling Authorization Number (RAN) and be entered in the public register. According to the machinery manufacturer Kreyenborg, several IR-Clean processes have already been positively assessed by customers under the previous Regulation (EC) No 282/2008. According to Kreyenborg, the approval procedure will be significantly streamlined and simplified under the new Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, both for Kreyenborg itself and for its customers in the packaging sector.
No safety concerns when certain process conditions are met
After evaluating data from the so-called challenge test, the EFSA Panel concluded that there are no safety concerns regarding PET recycled via the IR-Clean process, and it can therefore be reused in packaging intended for direct contact with food. The boundary conditions are as follows:
- Up to 100% recycled PET flakes may be used to produce materials and articles intended for contact with all types of food and stored at room temperature or below.
- The input material must consist of washed and dried PET flakes derived from packaging manufactured in accordance with Union legislation on materials intended to come into contact with food and containing no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications.
- The process must operate under the same stringent conditions as the decontamination challenge test evaluated by EFSA.
Decontamination of rPET flakes for food packaging using IR-CLEAN (FDA/EFSA compliant)
Decontamination effectiveness in two stages
The process evaluated by EFSA comprises two key stages: decontamination of PET flakes in an IRD dryer and finishing treatment in a dedicated unit.
These two stages were crucial for decontamination effectiveness at our plant, says Marcus Vogt, Head of Technical Sales in the plastics sector, summarizing the complex measurements carried out over a long period as part of various control tests preceding EFSA's assessment. Vogt helped initiate the petition and accompanied the approval process for more than six years, which includes various approvals under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and EU standards.
