NAPCOR roadmap targets 57% cut in PET bottle life-cycle emissions by 2050
The National Association for PET Container Resources has published a decarbonisation roadmap for PET beverage bottles, developed with consultancy Eastern Research Group, setting out a pathway to cut life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions intensity by more than half by 2050 using existing technologies. The roadmap models total US PET industry emissions falling from about 3.3 million tonnes CO2e to 1.9 million tonnes by 2050 even as production volumes rise, driven mainly by bottle lightweighting and renewable energy adoption. Amcor, Plastipak Packaging, Indorama Ventures, Alpek Polyester, Husky Technologies, Niagara Water, Southeastern Container and Western Container took part in surveys underpinning the analysis.
Why this mattersA credible, peer-reviewed sector roadmap gives PET converters and brand owners a benchmark to defend the material against substitution by glass, metal or alternative packaging.
- Roadmap targets a 57% reduction in PET bottle life-cycle GHG emissions intensity by 2050 versus current levels.
- Total US PET industry annual emissions modelled to fall from about 3.3 million tonnes CO2e to 1.9 million tonnes by 2050.
- 16.9-ounce PET water bottle system emissions intensity could fall about 44% by 2035 versus 2023 baseline.
- Carbonated soft drink bottle systems studied could see emissions intensity cuts of roughly 35% to 43% by 2035.
- The 'cut-off' life-cycle method would show an 83% reduction using the same levers, versus 57% under the more conservative 'system expansion' method used.
- Study was funded by NAPCOR and developed by Eastern Research Group, with input from Amcor, Plastipak Packaging, Indorama Ventures, Alpek Polyester, Husky Technologies, Niagara Water, Southeastern Container and Western Container.