Mechanically Recycled Food-Contact HDPE

A mechanically recycled FDA-compliant food-contact HDPE has been commercially launched by Nova Chemicals. The new grade is the company’s first mechanically recycled food-contact resin and is part of Nova’s Syndigo rPE portfolio introduced in early 2023.

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. 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.

As previously reported, three additional resins are commercially available in the Syndigo portfolio for use in a variety of non-food contact applications from e-commerce mailers to shrink to industrial films. They are:

▪ EX-PCR-WR3 resin, mechanically recycled, sourced from PE agricultural film, and ideal for e-commerce mailers, can liners, carry-out bags, protective packaging, and shrink.

▪ EX-PCR-NC4 resin, mechanically recycled, sourced from back-of-store distribution center PE stretch film and front-of-store consumer drop off, and ideal for heavy-duty sacks, e-commerce mailers, stretch wrap, collation shrink, protective packaging, and industrial films.

▪ EX-PCR-HD5 resin, mechanically recycled, sourced from HDPE milk jugs, and ideal for flexible packaging, heavy-duty sacks and small-part blow molding.