Amcor deploys Greenback’s advanced recycling technology across UK operations

UK — Amcor has officially commissioned Greenback Recycling Technologies’ Enval advanced recycling module at its Heanor facility, marking the first UK deployment of the modular system and a significant milestone in the push toward circular plastics.

The commissioning event was attended by Mary Creagh CBE MP, nature and circular economy minister, who emphasized the importance of public–private collaboration in building a resilient circular economy.

The installation forms part of a wider collaboration between Amcor, Greenback, and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste to trial innovative technologies capable of converting post-consumer flexible plastics into food-grade recycled feedstock.

Flexible plastics remain one of the most challenging waste streams to process due to their composition and contamination levels, making scalable recycling solutions a key industry priority.

Greenback’s Enval module uses a pyrolysis-based system to break down mixed, low-value flexible plastics into pyrolytic oil.

The process is monitored through eco2Veritas, a digital traceability platform that employs AI and IoT sensors to track material inputs and outputs.

Each batch of pyrolytic oil produced is assigned a digital certificate of provenance, enabling full transparency and supporting mass-balance allocation for downstream conversion into circular polymers.

Amcor’s Heanor site was selected for the trial due to its expertise in both mechanical and advanced recycling technologies.

The facility already converts significant volumes of post-consumer and industrial flexible plastic waste into high-quality recycled polymers used across various flexible packaging formats.

Hosting Greenback’s modular unit onsite aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating advanced recycling systems into existing industrial infrastructure, a model that industry stakeholders hope to replicate globally.

“This is an exciting example of how shared action between government and the private sector can tackle the world’s plastic waste mountain,” said Creagh.

“It reflects our broader ambition to build a circular economy by reusing plastics already in circulation.”

Philippe G. von Stauffenberg, Greenback’s founder and CEO, highlighted the scalability potential, “Collaboration and innovation can accelerate circular solutions. We are proud to work with Amcor and government stakeholders to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment.”

Andrew Green, vice president at Amcor Flexibles EMEA, added that the technology trial reinforces the company’s commitment to UK sustainability objectives, including increasing recycled content and reducing dependency on virgin materials.

The rollout aligns with ongoing industry momentum, as packaging producers across Europe invest heavily in both mechanical and chemical recycling capacity to meet tightening regulations under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and rising brand-owner demand for certified circular materials.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE