Perstorp and Göncay Plastik develop rPET-based hot cup lids
Last update on May 1, 2026
Manufacturers developing hot beverage cup lids can now evaluate an rPET lid solution that combines up to 80% post-consumer recycled content with the heat resistance required for hot drink applications.
The solution was jointly developed by Perstorp and Göncay Plastik, and is enabled by Perstorp's Akestra™ additive, which provides the thermal performance that has historically limited recycled content incorporation in this application.
A persistent trade-off between recycled content and heat resistance
Hot cup lids have presented a persistent technical constraint: incorporating significant recycled content while maintaining the shape stability, seal integrity, and drinking experience required for hot beverage service.
According to the companies, this trade-off between performance, functionality, and circularity has remained unresolved across the category, with alternative materials including fiber-based solutions still facing challenges around scalability and consistent performance. Regulatory pressure is also increasing through initiatives such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), alongside rising consumer expectations for circular packaging.
Performance profile: shape stability, seal integrity, and recycling compatibility
The lids developed by Göncay Plastik are based on recycled PET and enabled by Perstorp's Akestra™, which the supplier states provides the heat resistance necessary for hot beverage applications. According to the companies, the solution delivers shape stability at high temperatures, a secure fit and seal, and a consistent drinking experience. The lids can incorporate up to 80% post-consumer recycled content and are reported to be compatible with existing PET recycling streams – a compatibility the companies describe as central to closing the loop for this packaging format.
“This collaboration demonstrates how innovation across the value chain can unlock scalable, circular solutions for foodservice packaging,” says Perstorp.
“At Göncay Plastik, we believe that true circularity means developing solutions that not only incorporate high levels of recycled content but are also fully compatible with existing recycling systems. With this rPET lid, we are closing the loop for hot beverage applications, delivering the performance our customers expect while enabling a circular solution for the market,” says Göncay Plastik.
You can review recycled PE grades and access full technical data directly in the Master Catalog of Plastics.