NOVA Chemicals receives FDA LNO for rLLDPE

NOVA Chemicals received a Letter of Non Objection (LNO) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its post-consumer recycled linear, low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE) material used in broad food-contact applications.

The rLLDPE will be available under the brand name SYNDIGO.

rLLDPE is one of the most commonly used materials for flexible food packaging and can be used for the full scope of applications including pantry staples, refrigerator items, and freezer packaging.

Mechanically recycled and produced in Connersville, Indiana, US, the rLLDPE is made from post-consumer recycled consumer and retail plastic film. It will be available in 2025 under the brand name SYNDIGO. It will also become the company’s second food-compliant recycled polyethylene (rPE).

The mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, US.

“Meeting the rigorous standards of the FDA for the broadest food contact applications is a testament to the innovative design of our mechanical recycling facility as well as the diligence we take regarding chain of custody of the plastic film feedstock,” said Alan Schrob, director of mechanical recycling, NOVA Circular Solutions.

First mechanical recycling facility in Indiana

NOVA Chemicals invested in its first mechanical recycling facility in Indiana to increase the supply of high-quality, recycled polyethylene resins. Construction is underway and operations are expected to begin in early 2025.

Once fully operational in early 2026, the NOVA Chemicals’ Circular Solutions facility will produce more than 100 million lbs. of SYNDIGO rPE for non-food and broad use food contact.