Plastipak is a finalist in the Circular Plastics category of this year’s Sustainability Awards with its O2Blox PET oxygen barrier technology, said to be compatible with PET recycling systems and support bottle-to-bottle recycling. We asked Plastipak’s director of International Packaging Development, Miguel Vieira, a few questions to find out more about this entry.
You’re a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2026. Congratulations! To start off, could you summarize your entry in less than 50 words?
O2Blox is Plastipak’s new PET oxygen barrier technology, designed to protect sensitive products while remaining compatible with PET recycling systems and supporting bottle-to-bottle recycling. It offers effective barrier performance for applications such as juice, ketchup, and functional beverages without disrupting the PET recycling stream.
Why do you think the judges were impressed with your entry? Tell us about what is innovative about your project and its impact on packaging sustainability.
O2Blox addresses a key packaging challenge: how to deliver strong oxygen barrier performance without compromising PET recyclability. Its design and technology help protect product integrity while supporting bottle-to-bottle recycling and the continued circular use of PET.
The technology’s sustainability credentials are further reinforced by independent recognition from APR for Design for Plastics Recyclability and RecyClass Technology Approval, confirming compatibility with established PET recycling systems.
O2Blox is also well aligned with the direction of evolving European packaging legislation, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), where recyclability and circularity are increasingly central. By combining product protection and recycling compatibility, O2Blox offers a practical innovation that supports brands in advancing more circular packaging solutions.
Finally, can you tell us about the ongoing development of your project, such as what the next steps are in commercialization?
Customers recognise O2Blox as a valuable solution that can help them meet PPWR-related targets while maintaining product performance and packaging functionality. Commercial rollout is underway, with Eckes-Granini Group already on board and several additional projects currently progressing through testing and validation.
The winners of this year’s Sustainability Awards are due to be announced on the 11th November at the Sustainable Packaging Summit, taking place from the 10th-12th November in Utrecht, Netherlands. The Summit mobilizes leaders of the FMCG value chain, policymakers, NGOs, recyclers and investors to collaborate, remove barriers and identify opportunities on the road to sustainable transformation.
To learn more or register, visit: https://www.packagingsummit.earth
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