PET to PET Recycling celebrates open day

Following the successful introduction of the deposit system at the beginning of this year, PET to PET Recycling Österreich GmbH, as a pioneer in PET recycling, would like to show which route the returned bottles take. To mark the occasion, the company hosted an open day in Müllendorf. Numerous guests from politics and business accepted the invitation - including Burgenland state parliament members Robert Hergovich and Margit Paul-Kientzl, Georg Knill, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries, Andreas Wirth, President of the Burgenland Chamber of Commerce, and Werner Huf, Mayor of Müllendorf. They were all given exciting insights into the company and an informative tour of the recycling plant by Christian Strasser, Managing Director of PET to PET.

Christian Strasser: "We have been passionately committed to the recycling of PET beverage bottles for 18 years, because PET is a valuable resource that needs to be preserved and used sustainably. In this context, we welcome the introduction of the deposit system. It ensures a significantly higher return rate and at the same time improves the quality of the recycled material. This ensures that PET bottles remain in the bottle-to-bottle cycle in the best possible way and are repeatedly processed into new bottles."

“We are delighted that we will be able to explain these interrelationships to many visitors at the open day and demonstrate the functioning of the deposit system and its importance for the circular economy live,” adds Thomas Billes, Managing Director of PET to PET.

This afternoon, all visitors can look forward to a varied and informative program with free admission. During exclusive factory tours, all interested parties will gain exciting insights into the ultra-modern PET recycling process to see how the circular economy works in practice. The youngest guests will also be well catered for with craft stations, face painting and a bouncy castle.

PET to PET as an important business location

PET to PET has been an integral part of the regional economy since it opened in 2007. Every year, around 1.3 billion PET bottles or around 33,000 tons of PET material pass through the unique bottle-to-bottle cycle. The plant currently employs 96 people. The site covers 72,000 m2 with a 3,300 m2 production hall and 4,050 m2 warehouses. Last year, a new office building with a floor area of 225 m2 with additional office space, social rooms and an event room was put into operation. In addition, the construction of a new 100 m2 workshop ensures good production-related maintenance.

The recycling company invested in the construction of a further 140 m³ silo in order to be equipped for the increasing return volumes as part of the deposit system. In addition, part of the existing outdoor storage area was equipped with a 2,400 m² roof to protect the recyclates packed in BigBags from the weather.

Member of Parliament Robert Hergovich: "PET to PET in Müllendorf is a model company in the areas of sustainability and recycling management beyond the borders of the province, and has been of enormous importance for Burgenland as a business location since 2007. Innovative companies such as PET to PET are helping to ensure that the economic situation in Burgenland is more stable and crisis-proof than in other federal states in these challenging times. And with almost 100 employees, PET to PET is also one of the most important employers in the region and in Burgenland. The ‘Open Day’ is also a sign of the company's commitment to the location and its roots in the region. In any case, the management and the entire PET to PET team at the Müllendorf site are doing a great job, as demonstrated not least by the management of the new Austrian deposit system."

Member of Parliament Margit Paul-Kientzl: "We must not only avoid plastic, but also keep it intelligently in the cycle. PET to PET proves that this is possible - with state-of-the-art technology, regional added value and a clear goal: to recycle 100% of plastic bottles. The deposit system, which was introduced at the beginning of the year, is an important lever for this. It ensures higher return rates and better material quality. Thanks to the PET to PET team for the exciting tour and the strong signal for a sustainable future!"

Andreas Wirth, President of the Burgenland Chamber of Commerce: "PET to PET is a model company in Burgenland that impressively demonstrates how climate protection, innovation and economic success can be combined. Not only has it been recycling valuable PET material for 18 years - it is also making an active contribution to strengthening the circular economy and protecting resources. Such sustainable companies are indispensable for our federal state. They create highly qualified jobs, invest in modern technologies and show how environmental protection and regional value creation can go hand in hand."

Werner Huf, Mayor of Müllendorf: "PET to PET Recycling Österreich GmbH is a model company in our municipality - innovative, sustainable and rooted in the region. The company impressively demonstrates how economic success and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand. With its commitment to PET recycling, the company makes an indispensable contribution to a sustainable circular economy - not only at regional but also at national level. They give the term ‘recyclable material’ a concrete, tangible meaning and impressively demonstrate how supposed waste can be turned back into a valuable product. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the two managing directors and the entire team. Their clear vision, strong leadership and commitment are the basis for this success - and a benefit for the entire Müllendorf site."

Federation of Austrian Industries: "A functioning circular economy is a central key to the competitiveness and sustainability of our location. It reduces dependency on raw material imports, strengthens the innovative power of industry and creates future-proof jobs. Sufficient availability of high-quality secondary raw materials at competitive prices is essential for industry in this respect. Especially in times of global uncertainty, we must resolutely drive forward the transformation from a linear to a circular economy - as an industry, but also as society as a whole."