BRC Packaging
BRCGS is a standard for food safety. The standard describes the hygiene and food safety requirements for food processing companies that supply directly to the retail sector. You can also think of packaging materials for foodstuffs.
Following to our previous newsletter in November 2024, in which we shared the news about lids made from 100% recycled material, we received many reactions and plenty of questions. It is good to see that there is so much genuine interest; we thus understand that this also raises questions.
With this FAQ page, we would like to inform you about the latest developments and provide you with certain additional details.
We are in the practical test phase. Below you will find all the available information so far.
We expect the PCR lids to be available in the course of 2025. We cannot yet give an exact date; we first want to complete relevant practical tests. We want to make sure we offer you reliable products.
We hope to complete the final test phase in the second quarter of 2025. We are also still open to field tests with existing customers. Are you interested in participating in such practical tests? Please contact your account manager, who will guide you further.
The lids are currently available in only two existing PCR colours: 2 shades of gray. Light Gray (RD502) and Dark Gray (RD506). We are still negotiating for any other available PCR colours. For now, it is not possible to produce the lids in other colours, nor in white or transparent.
Why not other colours?
This is merely related to the recycling process. Efficient and affordable separation of buckets, IML labels, brackets, etc. by colour is not possible, not yet. This results in 2 “neutral colours”, as described above.
Yes, the properties correspond to those made of virgin material. This newly developed type of PCR meets the requirements for lid material. To ensure the same strength and reliability, tests under hard/heavy and diverse conditions are necessary. Both in simulated situations and in practice.
Availability after testing
In recent months, we have gone through a test phase with our 10.3 GLN-lid. Produced from PCR RD506 and RD502. This heavy-duty lid, duly heavy-charged throughout the entire process, is the right choice to start with as a test, precisely because of its load capacity and frequent use in hard/heavy conditions. After extensive simulated conditions at an authorized test center, we have as well tested the lids with customers with the same category of heavy products and loads. Said trails have been positive so far.
Warning: Lids fit multiple types of bucket models, however due to strict food safety requirements our PCR lids are only available and suitable for applications in the non-food industry.
Availability after testing
100% PCR-lids will one be made available after practical tests have determined that they meet the requirements. Our packaging is used for various products a/o several applications, we therefore recommend to discuss and coordinate any possible transition to PCR-lids in advance with us. This advice is independent of the testing results.
At this moment, we do not send any samples. Test-phase is not yet completed and results are still pending. With just one or two lids you cannot perform a representative test in terms of weight or reliability. Do you want to test already? Sign up for a test pilot through your account manager.
Same as with our virgin buckets and lids, PCR product can be decorated via In Mould Labeling (IML). You will need to go through the same requests and processes as with our regular products. IML is possible in different sizes, colours, according to all your specific wishes. Please take into account that minimum quantities apply to IML.
We strive to keep price as consistent as possible. However, we cannot yet give concrete details, this depends on the ICIS index, the further course of the tests and the final results. More information will follow later this year.
The PCR lids must have the same performance as virgin material. The current practical tests will help is us confirm this.
The abovementioned information is all we can share so far. We hope to have provided you with some useful details. Do you want to stay informed of all developments? Sign up here for our newsletter.
BRCGS is a standard for food safety. The standard describes the hygiene and food safety requirements for food processing companies that supply directly to the retail sector. You can also think of packaging materials for foodstuffs.
The FSSC 22000 Standard has been created through Stichting Certificatie Voedselveiligheid (SCV). As a food-oriented version of the ISO 22000 Standard, this certification programme has been set up as a global guideline in food safety and quality within various industries. This standard is aimed at the entire production chain and as such, it is ideally suited for international harmonisation, partly thanks to the recognition by the GFSI. In addition to its connection with ISO 22000, the FSSC 22000 has many comparisons with the HACCP criteria, making it an attractive variant with the best of both worlds from these programmes. Thanks to the internationally accepted nature of the FSSC and the chain-wide approach within this certification programme, we recognise a strong food safety management system in this standard.