Dow and Lucro to launch PCR polyethylene film solution in India
Dow and Lucro Plastecycle, a homegrown Indian recycling company specialized in recycling flexible plastic film waste, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and launch polyethylene (PE) film solutions using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in India.
This agreement introduces a close-the-loop packaging solution to help enable a circular economy in India and expands Dow’s plastics circularity portfolio in the Asia Pacific region.
Under the MoU, Dow will utilize its industry leading team of packaging experts, material scientists, recycling equipment, blown film manufacturing and testing capabilities at Pack Studios Shanghai and Mumbai, helping Lucro develop and manufacture the film structures.
First application to be available later this year
These film structures are made by processing plastic waste collected through various recycled streams in combination with Dow’s virgin resins. This approach could also reduce carbon emissions when compared to virgin PE resins and as a result could contribute to helping converters and brands to meet their sustainability goals.
The first application of the product is in collation shrink films, a form of secondary packaging commonly used for bottles, cans, and liquid cartons, and is expected to be available in the India market later this year.
Dow and Lucro to launch PCR polyethylene film solution in India with investment from Circulate Capital.
Dow is looking for clean recycled feedstock and focusing on PE solutions, explained Suny Markose, Asia Pacific Recycling Commercial Director for Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics in a media virtual conference.
Following the initial application in collation shrink films, the partners will explore additional secondary packaging applications including shipping sacks, e-commerce bags and non-food packaging.
Collaborate to tackle the flexible plastic waste challenge
Lucro’s trademark Plast-E-Cycle process, which converts plastic waste into granules for recyclable and compostable products, helps to solve a fundamental challenge in India – the complexity of recycling flexible plastic waste.
This specialty made the company the first in India to be backed by Circulate Capital’s Ocean Fund (CCOF), a Singapore-based investment fund dedicated to preventing plastic waste entering the ocean and advancing the circular economy in South and Southeast Asia.
With Circulate Capital’s support, Lucro will further grow and scale its business, and step up post-consumer plastic sourcing with new collection centres.
“Circulate Capital invests in and supports pioneering companies across the waste management and recycling industry. We believe the Dow-Lucro partnership is a great example of how, with catalytic financing, the plastic eco-system can connect and collaborate on market solutions for the benefit of the environment,” said Rob Kaplan, founder and CEO, Circulate Capital.
“Lucro was founded on the belief that there is value to be found in mismanaged plastic waste through recycling. Our partnership with Dow provides us additional expertise to develop high quality, innovative and recycled-content flexible film for businesses,” said Ujwal Desai, co-founder and managing director of Lucro.
