The global recycled plastics market was valued at US$46.08 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during 2022-2030, according to a market report by Polaris Market Research.

In addition to greater environmental concerns and strict regulations, advancements in recycling technology and polymer science have further pushed the adoption of recycled resins in packaging applications. 

Chemically recycled PA6 supports contact-sensitive packaging

As chemically recycled plastics have the same quality and safety as virgin material, the scope of plastics that can be recycled for fresh produce packaging is widened.

Supplying StePac with its Ultramid Ccycled, a chemically recycled PA6, BASF will support its partner to advance contact-sensitive packaging formats to a higher sustainable standard.

StePac, specialized in developing advanced functional packaging solutions, was recently REDcert2 certified to incorporate chemically recycled PA6 into its flexible, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) products.

The two brands Xgo and Xtend are based on MAP technology with built-in humidity control which effectively slows respiration inside the packaging, delays the ageing processes, inhibits microbial decay, and preserves the quality and nutritional value of the produce during prolonged storage and long-haul shipments.

Ultramid Ccycled will make up 30% of the packaging material, with options for integration at a higher percentage.

Colombian passion fruit exporters Jardin Exotics, S.A.S. will be the first to use the new packaging brand Xgo Circular. Supplied as film for horizontal form fill-and-seal, the packaging’s MAP properties will slow the ripening process of the fruit during the long sea voyage from Colombia to Europe.

Flexible food packaging made from advanced recycled OBP

Ocean bound plastic (OBP) is abandoned plastic waste found in areas up to 50 km inland from waterways that may eventually be washed into the ocean by rainfall, rivers or tides.

A premium brand instant noodle packaging launched recently in Malaysia is billed as the first flexible food packaging made based on advanced recycled OBP.

Scientex, the leading Malaysian manufacturer in flexible plastic packaging, developed the packaging material using SABIC’s certified circular PP produced from OBP.

The instant noodle packaging made based on advanced recycled OBP.

The OBP used in the project is recovered and converted to pyrolysis oil in an advanced recycling process. SABIC uses this oil as an alternative feedstock to produce certified circular PP polymer for further processing to BOPP film. Scientex then manufactures and prints the noodle packs from this film.

According to SABIC, with a mass balance accounted OBP content of 30%, the certified circular PP performs the same way as incumbent fossil-based virgin PP and can be used as a direct drop-in alternative in this flexible food packaging application, without changing its existing assets and processes.

Cosmetics packaging concept based on 100% PCR content

In a collaboration for cosmetics applications, Clariant, Siegwerk, Borealis, and Beiersdorf combine expertise to develop recyclable consumer packaging based on 100% retrieved plastic packaging waste.

The mission is to design a packaging solution that creates a cleaner input waste stream and finds its way back into the loop in high-value applications. It should also allow for the high-quality visuals and distinctive shapes consumers associate with cosmetics packaging and brands.

To deliver on all these factors, the innovation centers on a colorless polyolefin bottle with 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, full body sleeved in a printed deinkable shrink sleeve, which allows the unique design of individual brands.

To give packaging waste a second life the packaging material needs to retain its highest value through multiple lifecycles. Borealis thereby has brought its expertise in mechanical recycling technology by offering high quality PCR based on proprietary Borcycle M technology.

Clariant has shared its expertise in design for recycling additive solutions to ensure targeted additivation to protect PCR quality and protect against polymer chain breakdown at each recycling step. 

Sorting trials in existing recycling infrastructure proved the sortability of the full body sleeved HDPE bottles and transparent PET bottles, achieving a high recovery of the bottle’s material.