The EX-PCR-NC4 resin helps to close the loop, enables a fully circular plastics economy for flexible film and helps brand owners to meet their sustainability goals
NOVA’s new rPE packaging. (Credit: NOVA Chemicals Corporate)
Plastics and chemical company NOVA Chemicals has unveiled its new mechanically recycled polyethylene resin, EX-PCR-NC4.
The product enables converters and brand owners to achieve their sustainability goals without sacrificing package performance in applications including shrink, e-commerce, heavy-duty sacks, and protective packaging.
Canada-based NOVA claimed that EX-PCR-NC4 can reduce packaging’s carbon footprint and combat climate change because it is made entirely of post-consumer recycled polyethylene (rPE) and offers a wide range of design flexibility.
The rPE is sourced from distribution centre flexible film, which includes a blend of back-of-store stretch and front-of-store consumer drop-off.
NOVA Chemicals Circular Economy market manager Anna Rajkovic said: “Through customer trials and applications development at our Center for Performance Applications in Calgary, we have successfully incorporated our new rPE resin in various end-use formats.
“We’re excited to commercialize this resin and build a more sustainable polyethylene portfolio for our customers and brand owners.”
The chemical firm said that modern technology is used to process the raw materials to produce a low-odour, uniform, and stable final product.
The product can help guide customers to incorporate rPE and create recyclable flexible packaging that remains in the PE stream through a design for recycling approach, NOVA added.
NOVA Chemicals mechanical recycling director Alan Schrob said: “Our new rPE product line is the definition of a win-win. It provides converters and brand owners with a more sustainable packaging solution without compromising overall quality or strength.
“And, by utilising rPE, we’re diverting plastic waste from landfills while also enabling a fully-recyclable new product: a true demonstration of circularity.”
Schrob added: “We aim to deliver commercial quantities of consistent high-quality rPE products to meet the needs of our customers and the desires of the brand owners and consumers.
“NOVA Chemicals continues to demonstrate leadership in providing sustainable polyethylene solutions, and we look forward to additional growth in this space.”