Ineos offers new recycled-content plastics

Switzerland-based Ineos Olefins & Polymers (O&P) Europe says it is expanding its range of Recycl-IN products to include flexible packaging materials with more than 60 percent recycled content.

Ineos O&P says it is partnering with Spain-based Saica Natur in a supply agreement for recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and low-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). “The long-term agreement will help Ineos to serve the growing demand for increased levels of recycled product in sustainable, virgin-quality flexible packaging,” states Ineos O&P.

“Together with Saica Natur, we have the innovation, drive, know-how and capability to move towards a circular economy for plastics in flexible packaging,” comments Rob Ingram, CEO of Ineos O&P North Europe. “Saica are experts in recycling postconsumer plastic film. Ineos has the polymer science expertise to improve the quality, specification and performance of the finished product. We are very pleased to add these new flexible packaging products to our Recycl-IN range.”

Victor Sanz, director general of Saica Natur, says, “With this agreement, we are moving towards a circular economy model through the use of resources in a more sustainable and efficient way. Waste is transformed into a secondary raw material that will be then incorporated into new high-quality products. This is an example of commitment towards achieving a long-term sustainable growth.”

In a presentation at the 2019 Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference Europe, Sanz said a “well-developed supply chain” would be needed, in combination with effective sorting, washing and granulating capacity, to produce high-quality, recycled-content polymers for the many types of plastic used in packaging applications.

Ineos O&P says the polyethylene Recycl-IN resins to be produced will “meet the needs of converters, brand owners and retailers, to use more than 60 percent recycled plastics in very demanding applications such as stretch and lamination films typically used in flexible pouches for detergent and personal care products.”

Recycl-IN materials combine the recycled plastic with what Ineos O&P calls “highly engineered virgin polymers.” The resulting materials have properties equivalent to virgin materials while meeting the demand for an increase in the use of recycled content, adds the firm.

Saica Natur is the recycling and waste management business unit of Saica Group, which also is one of the largest European producers of recycled-content corrugated board. The company also offers flexible packaging through Saica Flex, and its Natur Cycle Plus business unit specializes in the recovery, classification and treatment of LDPE to create recycled-content resins.