Alpha has eight plants in North America and regional sales representatives across the U.S. We also have a plant and sales manager in The Netherlands. All of their contact information can be found by clicking “Contact Us” at the top of this page. Our list of stocking distributors can be found here.
Yes, Pretium can manufacture bottles from Certified Ocean Bound HDPE and PET post-consumer plastic. Like all resins used in Alpha’s manufacturing processes, our Ocean Bound PCR carries a letter of non-objection from the FDA and is safe for food contact. If you are interested in these resins, please specify “Ocean Bound” when you ask for a quote, as the resin is more expensive than PCR collected from traditional sources.
Bioresins are resins that are made partially or completely from plants. Currently Pretium offers bottles and jars from a PET bioresin with 30% plant-based feedstock, and HDPE bioresin made 100% from sugar cane.
Upcharges for PCR fluctuate widely based on market conditions and the source of the PCR. Because we use only food-safe resins approved by the FDA, recycled PET is typically 10% to 20% more than virgin PET and recycled HDPE can be 20% to 40% higher than virgin HDPE. Certified Ocean Bound PCR has a greater upcharge and must be quoted based on current market conditions.
The post-consumer resins Pretium uses all come with FDA letters of non-objection and are safe for food contact. To obtain that designation, the resin must be collected, sorted, cleaned, ground, melted, recrystallized and/or repelletized all according to processes approved by the FDA. There are very few companies that are equipped to put post-consumer bottles through this rigorous process, so there is a premium for the high-quality post-consumer resin they produce.
That depends on your product and any certifications you require. Most products probably do not need to undergo stability testing because the post-consumer versions of PCR and HDPE are very similar to virgin and have similar performance. But if you have FDA filings or other pharma or OTC requirements, we would recommend that you conduct stability testing. Stability testing is the responsiblity of the customer.
Because of the complexities of running PCR in any percentage, Pretium charges the same upcharge for PCR content whether you choose to use 25% PCR or 100% PCR.
Because of the manufacturing processes and blending equipment we have, our standard percentages of PCR are: Single-stage PET: 25% or 100% 2-stage PET: 30% or 100% (testing required before we can commit to 100% for this process) HDPE: 25% or 100%
Pretium can run 100% PCR in all of our single-stage PET items, all of our EBM and IBM HDPE items, and most 2-stage PET items.
When we run bioresins, we run the resin at 100% (no blends with virgin material).