What is RETRAY certification?
RETRAY is a voluntary assessment scheme conceived by the Ecosense Foundation—the heir to the former Plastic Sense—to “consolidate a circular economy model in the value chain of PET thermoformed packaging,” measuring the recycled material content and verifying its recyclability according to the EN 15343 standard and the program’s internal guidelines.
The seal’s stated mission is summed up in one milestone: that all PET trays in Europe be recyclable and recycled by 2030.
Process and product: two levels of demand
The scheme distinguishes two modules: RETRAY Process, which audits the traceability of recycled material and plastic waste management at the factory; and RETRAY Product, which certifies the specific percentage of recycled PET incorporated into each commercial format. To certify a product, it must first have passed the process audit.
This tiered structure allows laminating, thermoforming, packaging, and now distribution companies like GRUPO TAV FOOD to transparently communicate which part of their offering meets tray-to-tray circularity criteria.
Why being first matters
Although manufacturers such as INDESLA and Evertis had already obtained the RETRAY Process, no Spanish company dedicated to the multi-brand distribution of food packaging had achieved the dual certification, which requires supplier control, analytical validation of recycling percentages, and verification of recyclability throughout the logistics chain. GRUPO TAV FOOD’s obtaining the seal—following an audit conducted by the accredited entity—opens the door for supermarkets and packagers to access circular packaging without changing logistics partners, eliminating a common barrier between sustainable innovations and their mass market implementation.
Tangible benefits for the customer
1. Regulatory and tax compliance.
Since January 2023, the excise tax on non-reusable plastic packaging requires certified recycled plastics to be certified by accredited entities. The RETRAY seal meets this requirement and avoids additional audits for customers.
2. CO₂ savings and ESG reputation
The RETRAY-certified tray-to-tray model reduces the carbon footprint by up to 30%, according to Ecosense calculations, by replacing virgin PET with closed-loop recycling. It also allows for objective metrics to be reported in sustainability reports.
3. Digital traceability
Each certified batch includes a code that links to the foundation’s database. The end user can learn about the origin of the recycled material and the destination of the packaging after its use, strengthening consumer trust.
GRUPO TAV FOOD’s journey towards RETRAY
Founded in 2005 with 100% Spanish capital, the company has been working since 2020 on a circularity plan that included the approval of its PET sheet suppliers, the implementation of a traceability ERP system, and staff training in the EN 15343 standard. With certification now in hand, the company is committed to maintaining a minimum of 30% tray-to-tray recycled PET across its entire range of standard trays and to increasing this percentage to 50% by 2026.
Impact on HoReCa, industry, and large-scale retail
- HoReCa channel: Certification enables the supply of single-use and take-away tableware that qualifies as recycled packaging, helping restaurants meet their circular plastic quotas.
- Industrial packers: RETRAY will help companies pass IFS and BRC audits, which increasingly assess packaging sustainability.
- Retail: Store shelves will be able to display the RETRAY logo, a Europe-wide recognized mark that supports green marketing campaigns without falling into greenwashing.
Catalyst for Ecoocel’s R&D
Achieving RETRAY certification aligns with GRUPO TAV FOOD’s Ecoocel line, which is based on natural fibers and compostable polymers. The company is already working on hybrid PET-cellulose laminates that combine the recycled content required by RETRAY with barriers sourced from renewable materials—a development that could extend the certification to mixed packaging solutions.
Upcoming challenges: European harmonization and PPWR
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets mandatory recycled content targets and introduces ecodesign mechanisms based on accredited schemes. By taking early action with RETRAY, GRUPO TAV FOOD gains valuable adaptation time and provides its clients with a direct path to compliance with future legal requirements.
Conclusion
With RETRAY certification, GRUPO TAV FOOD demonstrates that packaging distribution is not just a logistical link, but a strategic player in the circular economy. As the first Spanish company in its category to achieve this certification, it sends a clear message to the market: sustainable innovation can be scaled and rigorously audited. The challenge now is for suppliers, customers, and competitors to take the next step so that recycled PET trays become the norm rather than the exception.