Andercol S.A., O-tek’s resin supplier in Colombia, consumes 3.5 million kilos of recycled polyester PET resin annually from 140 million PET bottles (0.6 liters each), i.e. up to 10 bottles are recycled per 1 kilogram of new resin. The sorted, cleaned and shredded PET plastic is recycled by a depolymerization process. In order to meet the high-quality standards of GRP Pipe production, the recycled raw material is mixed with new one at a ratio of 1:3.
Approximately 30 kg of polyester resin is required to produce one meter of an average drainage Flowtite GRP pipe (e.g. 120 cm in diameter). In other words, a 6-meter pipe of this diameter enables the recycling of around 1800 plastic bottles. In Colombia, more than 4,000 million! PET bottles are put into circulation every year, but just around 31% are recycled. O-tek is doing its bit for the environment by using polyester resin from Andercol, thus, activating the recycling process of a significant amount of PET bottles to manufacture GRP pipes, which in turn are intended for sewage disposal and/or drinking water supply for millions of Colombians.
Every recycled PET bottle that does not end up in landfill or in the sea is a benefit for the environment.