Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates

This document defines a method of specifying delivery conditions for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates.
It gives the most important characteristics and associated test methods for assessing PET recyclates intended for use in the production of semi-finished/finished products.
It is intended to support parties involved in the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by mechanical recycling to agree on specifications for specific and generic applications.
This document is applicable without prejudice to any existing legislation.
This document does not cover the characterization of plastic waste, which is covered by EN 15347, neither traceability topics which are covered by EN 15343.

Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung von Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)-Rezyklaten

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Eigenschaften von Polyethylenterephthalat(PET) Rezyklaten fest.
Dieses Dokument benennt die wichtigsten Eigenschaften und die dazugehörigen Prüfverfahren für die Bewertung von PET Rezyklaten, die für die Produktion von Halbzeugen/Fertigprodukten vorgesehen sind.
Es ist dafür vorgesehen (Vertrags )Partner, die sich mit dem Einsatz von Polyethylenterephthalat(PET) bei mechanischem Recycling beschäftigen, bei der Einigung auf Spezifikationen für spezifische oder allgemeine Anwendungen zu unterstützen.
Dieses Dokument beeinträchtigt bei seiner Anwendung keinerlei geltende Vorschriften.
Dieses Dokument behandelt weder die Charakterisierung von Kunststoffabfall, die von EN 15347 abgedeckt wird, noch Themen zur Rückverfolgbarkeit, die von EN 15343 abgedeckt werden.

Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET)

Le présent document définit une méthode de spécification des conditions de livraison des recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET).
Il donne les caractéristiques les plus importantes et les méthodes d’essai associées pour évaluer les recyclats de PET destinés à être utilisés dans la production de produits semi-finis/finis.
Il est destiné à aider les parties concernées par l’utilisation de polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET) par recyclage mécanique pour convenir de spécifications concernant des applications spécifiques ou générales.
Le présent document est applicable sans préjudice de toute réglementation existante.
Le présent document ne couvre pas la caractérisation des déchets de plastiques qui est couverte par l’EN 15347 ou les questions de traçabilité qui sont couvertes par l’EN 15343.

Polimerni materiali - Reciklirani polimerni materiali - Karakterizacija reciklatov polietilen-tereftalata (PET)

General Information

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
07-Jun-2022
Current Stage
4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
Start Date
16-Mar-2022
Due Date
03-Aug-2022
Completion Date
07-Jun-2022

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 15348:2022
01-maj-2022
Polimerni materiali - Reciklirani polimerni materiali - Karakterizacija reciklatov
polietilen-tereftalata (PET)
Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
recyclates
Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung von Polyethylenterephthalat
(PET)-Rezyklaten
Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des recyclats de poly(éthylène
téréphtalate) (PET)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 15348
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
oSIST prEN 15348:2022 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 15348:2022

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oSIST prEN 15348:2022


DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 15348
NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM

March 2022
ICS 13.030.50; 83.080.20 Will supersede EN 15348:2014
English Version

Plastics - Recycled plastics - Characterization of
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates
Plastiques - Plastiques recyclés - Caractérisation des Kunststoffe - Kunststoff-Rezyklate - Charakterisierung
recyclats de poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET) von Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)-Rezyklaten
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 249.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.


EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 15348:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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oSIST prEN 15348:2022
prEN 15348:2022 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 7
5 Characterization of PET recyclates . 7
6 Quality assurance . 10
Annex A (normative) Determination of size and distribution of PET-R flakes by sieving . 11
A.1 General . 11
A.2 Principle . 11
A.3 Apparatus . 11
A.4 Procedure. 11
A.5 Number of determinations . 12
A.6 Determination and expression of the results . 12
A.7 Test report . 12
Annex B (informative) Gravimetric method for the determination of residual humidity
(water content) . 14
B.1 General . 14
B.2 Principle . 14
B.3 Apparatus . 14
B.4 Procedure. 14
B.5 Expression of results . 14
B.6 Test report . 15
Annex C (normative) Rapid method for the determination of residual contaminants . 16
C.1 General . 16
C.2 Principle . 16
C.3 Apparatus . 16
C.4 Procedure. 16
C.5 Expression of results . 17
C.6 Test report . 18
Annex D (normative) Rapid method for the determination of Polyolefin contaminants . 19
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D.1 General . 19
D.2 Principle . 19
D.3 Apparatus . 19
D.3.1 Technical balance, with an accuracy of ± 0,1 g. . 19
D.3.2 Beakers of 2 000 ml . 19
D.3.3 Hot plate stirrer, or similar equipment . 19
D.3.4 pH meter . 19
D.3.5 Drying oven . 19
D.3.6 Thermometer (0-100 °C ± 1 °C). . 19
D.4 Procedure . 19
D.5 Expression of results . 19
D.6 Test report . 20
Annex E (informative) Potentiometric method for the determination of the residual
alkalinity . 21
E.1 General . 21
E.2 Principle . 21
E.3 Apparatus . 21
E.3.1 Magnetic stirrer, or different stirrer . 21
E.3.2 Technical balance, accurate to 0,1 g . 21
E.3.3 Beaker, of 1 000 ml . 21
E.3.4 Calibrated cylinder, of 500 ml . 21
E.3.5 pH-meter, with combined glass electrode . 21
E.4 Reagents . 21
E.5 Procedure . 21
E.6 Expression of results . 21
E.7 Test report . 22
Annex F (informative) Method for the determination of infusible contaminants by filtration . 23
F.1 General . 23
F.2 Principle . 23
F.3 Apparatus . 23
F.4 Procedure . 23
F.5 Expression of results . 23
F.6 Test report . 24
Bibliography . 25

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oSIST prEN 15348:2022
prEN 15348:2022 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 15348:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document includes the following significant changes with respect to EN 15348:2014:
— Scope has been clarified;
— Normative References have been updated;
— Terms and definitions have been removed, reference to EN ISO 472 and CEN/TR 15353 remained;
— Clause 4 “Symbols and abbreviations” has been added;
— Clause 5 “Characterization of PET recyclates” and Table 1 “Characterization of PET recyclates” have
been completely revised;
— In Clause 6 “Quality assurance” requirement regarding traceability has been added;
— Annex C “Rapid method for the determination of residual contaminants” has been revised;
— Annex D “Rapid method for the determination of Polyolefin contaminants” has been added.
This document is one part of a series of CEN publications on Plastics Recycling, which is structured as
follows:
— EN 15342, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of polystyrene (PS) recyclates
— EN 15343, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Plastics recycling traceability and assessment of conformity
and recycled content
— EN 15344, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of Polyethylene (PE) recyclates
— EN 15345, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of Polypropylene (PP) recyclates
— EN 15346, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) recyclates
— EN 15347, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Characterization of plastics wastes
— EN 15348, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
recyclates
— CEN/TR 15353, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Guidelines for the development of standards for
recycled plastics
4

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oSIST prEN 15348:2022
prEN 15348:2022 (E)
Introduction
Recycling plastic waste, by mechanical recycling, is one type of material recovery process intended to
save resources (virgin raw materials, water, and energy), while minimizing harmful emissions into air,
water and soil as well as any impacts on human health. The environmental impact of recycling has to be
assessed over the whole life cycle of the recycling system (from the waste generation point to the
disposal of final residues). To ensure that recycling constitutes the best environmental option for
treating the available waste, some prerequisites should preferably be met:
— recycling scheme being contemplated should generate lower environmental impacts than
alternative recovery options;
— existing or potential market outlets should be identified that will secure a sustainable industrial
recycling operation;
— collection and sorting schemes should be properly designed to deliver recyclable plastics waste
fractions fitting reasonably well with the available recycling technologies and with the (changing)
needs of the identified market outlets, preferably at minimum costs to society.
This document has been produced in accordance with the guidance produced by CEN on Environmental
Aspects and in accordance with CEN/TR 15353.
NOTE CEN/TR 15353 considers the general environmental aspects, which are specific to the recycling
process.
It is often impossible to trace back each individual product at the end user stage and to check whether
the product has been used correctly through its life. Consequently, products are out of industrial control
for a period of time. It is possible that during this period contamination with other materials might
occur that could affect the product's suitability for recycling into the intended application.

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1 Scope
This document defines a method of specifying delivery conditions for poly(ethylene terephthalate)
(PET) recyclates.
It gives the most important characteristics and associated test methods for assessing PET recyclates
intended for use in the production of semi-finished/finished products.
It is intended to support parties involved in the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by mechanical
recycling to agree on specifications for specific and generic applications.
This document is applicable without prejudice to any existing legislation.
This document does not cover the characterization of plastic waste, which is covered by EN 15347,
neither traceability topics which are covered by EN 15343.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TR 15353, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Guidelines for the development of standards for recycled
plastics
EN 15343, Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Plastics recycling traceability and assessment of conformity and
recycled content
EN ISO 60, Plastics — Determination of apparent density of material that can be poured from a specified
funnel (ISO 60)
EN ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary (ISO 472)
EN ISO 1133-2, Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate
(MVR) of thermoplastics — Part 2: Method for materials sensitive to time-temperature history and/or
moisture (ISO 1133-2)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1:
Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1)
EN ISO 11357-3, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 3: Determination of
temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization (ISO 11357-3)
EN ISO/CIE 11664-4, Colorimetry — Part 4: CIE 1976 L*a*b* Colour space (ISO/CIE 11664-4)
EN ISO 15512, Plastics — Determination of water content (ISO 15512)
EN ISO 23900-5, Pigments and extenders — Methods of dispersion and assessment of dispersibility in
plastics — Part 5: Determination by filter pressure value test (ISO 23900-5)
ISO 565, Test sieves — Metal wire cloth, perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet — Nominal sizes
of openings
ISO 1628-5, Plastics — Determination of the viscosity of polymers in dilute solution using capillary
viscometers — Part 5: Thermoplastic polyester (TP) homopolymers and copolymers
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prEN 15348:2022 (E)
ISO 3534-2, Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols — Part 2: Applied statistics
ISO 12418-2, Plastics — Post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottle recyclates — Part 2:
Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties
ASTM D6980-12, Standard Test Method for Determination of Moisture in Plastics by Loss in Weight
ASTM D1895, Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic
Materials
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 472 and CEN/TR 15353
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
4 Symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the symbols and abbreviations related to recyclates are given in
EN ISO 1043-1.
5 Characterization of PET recyclates
A single batch is the quantity of recyclate that has homogenous characteristics within the specified
tolerances.
The characteristics of PET recyclates, which shall be met for every batch according to ISO 3534-2 of PET
recyclate are shown in Table 1, and are divided into two types:
a) required characteristics needed to characterize PET recyclates in general and required for all
recyclates;
b) optional characteristics needed to characterize PET recyclates according to customer specifications
and applications.
These characteristics shall be assessed by using the test methods given in Table 1. Where possible, the
supplier should provide information on the original applications.
If the recyclates are produced under the conditions of food contact approvals, the supplier shall provide
all the necessary information related to the food contact agreements obtained from the authorities and
conditions established in these agreements.
Other tests may be carried out by agreement between the purchaser and the supplier and results
reported.
A certificate of analysis giving the test results for each batch of recyclate shall be provided by the
supplier to the purchaser upon request.
Where several methods are listed in Table 1, the certificate of analysis should specify the method used
for each measured parameter.
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The purchaser may require some additional information on recyclate composition from the recycler in
order to facilitate the legal use of the recyclate.
Table 1 — Characterization of PET recyclates
Characteristics Unit Test methods Flakes Pellets Comments
(M/O) (M/O)
Shape - Visual M M Flakes, pellets
Fine particle % Annex A M - Value in
content percentage of the
particles passing
the sieve of 1 mm.
Colour  Visual inspection M - For example
Unicolour,
transparent,
mixed
Colour L, a, b Colorimeter according to O M Pellets or
values EN ISO/CIE 11664-4 Injection molded
flat piece
Observer: 10°
Illuminant: D65
Water content % Annex B or EN ISO 15512 O O Any alternative
or ASTM D6980-12 method may be
used upon
In addition, standardized
common approval
methodology for moisture
with the customer
analyser to be developed
through a
specification
PVC content mg/kg Annex C or ISO 12418-2 M - Any alternative
method may be
used upon
common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
Polyolefin mg/kg Annex C or ISO 12418-2 or M - Any alternative
content Annex D method may be
used upon
common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
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Characteristics Unit Test methods Flakes Pellets Comments
(M/O) (M/O)
Other visible  Annex C or ISO 12418-2 M - Any alternative
contaminants: method may be
used upon
Ferrous / non-
common approval
ferrous metals
with the customer
Labels of PET through a
bottles
specification
Other
contaminants
Bulk density 3 EN ISO 60 or ASTM D1895, M O Any alternative
kg/m
Method C method may be
used upon

common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
Density 3 EN ISO 1183-1 O O
kg/m
Pellet size g or Weight of 100 pellets or - M
number number of pellets in 1 g
Determination  EN ISO 1133-2 O O
Melt Mass-Flow
Rate (MFR)
Intrinsic dl/g ISO 1628-5 or - M
viscosity (I.V.) EN ISO 1133-2
Melting point °C EN ISO 11357-3 O O
Alkalinity pH Annex E O - Any alternative
method may be

used upon
common approval
with the customer
through a
specification
2
Filterability MPa/(h·cm ) Annex F or O -
EN ISO 23900-5
Product name
Reference
Applications
9

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Characteristics Unit Test methods Flakes Pellets Comments
(M/O) (M/O)
Indicate the type
Origin of
of products which
material
are composing the
incoming material
and the source:
Agriculture,
Building &
Construction,
Packaging –
Household,
Packaging -
Transport &
Industry,
“Housewares,
Leisure, Sports
etc”, Others
(specify).
Key
M/O:The characteristics is mandatory (M) or optional (O)
6 Quality assurance
In order that the purchaser of the recyclate can have confidence in the quality of the product, the
supplier shall maintain records of the quality control carried out, including incoming materials,
processes and finished products.
NOTE A quality management system certified to EN ISO 9001 [5] can be a suitable guarantee of consistent
recyclate quality but not the recycled content.
The specification and the standard deviation or range of values within and between batches of material
shall be agreed between the supplier and the purchaser.
Where a statement of recycled content, or the previous history of the material, is requested,
documentary evidence shall be provided. These records should be available to the purchaser on
request.
Where a recyclate has been produced via a melt process, the supplier may choose to state the level of
filtration applied during that process. This will determine the maximum size of any non-melting
contaminants present in the recyclate. The statement of filtration level shall include details of the filter.
Recyclates that have not passed through a melt process cannot be quantified in the same way, and the
supplier may state this.
Traceability shall be ensured according to EN 15343, that describes a qualified recycling process and
gives details of traceability and the assessment of recycled content.
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Annex A
(normative)

Determination of size and distribution
of PET-R flakes by sieving
A.1 General
This procedure specifies a method for determining the dimensional distribution (size) of PET-R flakes
by measuring the quantities retained in a range of sieves having meshes of various sizes.
The results are expressed in terms of quantity retained on the various sieves or as the mean particulate
dimension for the whole sample tested (that which has the greatest frequency).
A.2 Principle
A determined sample is filtered through a single sieve, or stack of sieves of various mesh opening sizes,
helped by mechanical or manual vibrations. When several sieves are selected to form a stack, the sieves
are assembled in ascending order of the mesh opening sizes so that the largest mesh opening is at the
top.
A.3 Apparatus
A.3.1 Weighing scale, with a precision of ± 0,1 g.
A.3.2 Sieve: The nominal diameter of 200 mm, in accordance with ISO 565 supplemented by a lid and
by a receiving container. Sieves are made of ring wire.
The sieves used have the following square mesh opening sizes of: 1 mm; 2 mm; 3,15 mm; 4 mm;
6,30 mm; 8 mm and 12,5 mm.
A.3.3 Mechanical vibration device.
A.4 Procedure
A.4.1 Examine the sieve, or the sieves, for the damage to the mesh or any deformation of the matrix of
the meshes. Replace all defective meshes.
A.4.2 Weigh the sieve, or each individual sieve, with a precision of ± 0,1 g.
A.4.3 Weigh the container to the nearest upper 0,1 g.
A.4.4 Assemble the sieve, or the sieves, and the container, one on top of the other. By assembling a
stack of sieves, you ensure that they are gathered in the ascending order of the mesh opening sizes so
than the largest opening is at the top.
A.4.5 Weigh 100 g to 300 g with an precision of ± 0,1 g of flakes sample to be tested.
A.4.6 Transfer the sample to the uncovered sieve, by avoiding overflow.
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A.4.7 Cover the sieve, or the stack of sieves by the lid and secure them in the mechanical vibration
device for sieving.
A.4.8 Set the timer of the mechanical vibration device to 12 min.
A.4.9 After the period of shaking, carefully separate the sieve, or the sieves, starting at the top, and
weigh each sieve and the container with their contents.
A.5 Number of determinations
Make two determinations for each test sample.
A.6 Determination and expression of the results
A.6.1 The target is to calculate the average mass in g
...

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