CANADA – Plastics and chemical company NOVA Chemicals has introduced what it describes as the ‘first’ FDA-compliant mechanically recycled polyethylene.
The company says the new grade, which debuted in early 2023 and is being included in its Syndigo rPE portfolio, is its first mechanically recycled food-contact resin.
Syndigo rPE-0860-FC is reportedly a lower-emission option compared to virgin PE and enables converters and brand owners to incorporate rPE into food packaging products.
It is sourced from natural HDPE milk jugs and is ideal for various types of flexible and rigid food packaging.
Nova’s Syndigo rPE-0860-FC is the first resin in its Syndigo portfolio of recycled PE resins launched in early 2023
The company views its new resin offering as an ideal option for converters and brand owners who are transitioning towards more sustainable products and packaging.
Nova Chemicals’ director of mechanical recycling, lan Schrob explained: “Adding the first food-contact rPE to the SYNDIGO portfolio increases rPE usage and underscores our commitment to eliminating plastic waste and reducing the carbon footprint of plastic packaging.
“Achieving the high level of performance needed for use in food contact puts this recycled resin in a field with few others and allows our customers to target the most demanding applications.”
Nova Chemicals explains Syndigo rPE-0860-FC is intended to be an alternative for converters and brand owners striving towards more sustainable products and packaging.
In addition to the new product, the Syndigo portfolio currently consists of three other resins, which can be used in a variety of non-food contact applications from e-commerce mailers to shrink to industrial films.
Nova Circular Solutions and the Syndigo brand are headquartered with Nova Chemicals’ head office in Calgary, AB, Canada. The products in the Syndigo portfolio are currently available in North America only.
Meanwhile, in February the company established a new line of business, NOVA Circular Solutions, to develop and sell a range of low-emission recycled polyethylene (rPE) solutions.
The Canadian company expects the new business line to make polyethylene production more sustainable and help meet North America’s expanding need for recycled goods.
NOVA Circular Solutions is driven by a professional team in plastics development, recycling technology, additive science, package design, and regulatory compliance.
John Thayer, Nova vice president at the time said: “Plastic products play a critical role in our daily lives, and industry and consumers are placing a higher value on products that contribute to the circular economy. They want products that can be recycled, reused, and reimagined.’
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