Mechanically and/or Chemically Recycled Polylefins Debut at K2022

Among the latest polyolefin resin producers to have joined-in with the development of new porfolios of mechanically recycled and/or chemically recycled resin grades, and discussed at K 2022, are ExxonMobil, Nova Chemicals, and Braskem.

 ▪  ExxonMobil presented its new certified circular polymers produced by leveraging its Exxtend technology for advanced recycling of plastic waste which produces certified-circular polymer. The company aimed to introduce the first such materials by year’s end from its new plant, initially focusing on food packaging and the hygiene market. Key sources say their goal to show the range of solutions supporting the circular economy including mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and design for recyclability approaches. Key sources indicate that the new Exxtend portfolio will extend to pretty much all of its polyolefins including LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE and PP homopolymer and copolymer resins. At K 2022, the company highlighted demonstrations that included a certified-circular high-performance food-grade pouch with digital traceability from resin to end-product, which included the use of its new Exceed S LLDPE made with Exxtend technology, and, a hypothetical circular solution that could turn medical products into automotive parts and then back into certified-circular polymers.

The former involved a five-layer, 45-micron fully recyclable freezer film pouch suitable for high-performance food-grade packaging that incorporates certified-circular Exceed S performance LLDPE made using Exxtend technology. As reported previously, Exceed S delivers industry-leading combinations of stiffness and toughness while being easy to process. Working collaboratively with Reifenhäuser (extrusion technology), Twintag (universal unique identifiers), Comexi (flexible packaging printing and converting) and R-Cycle (plastics recycling technology), the pouch includes documentation and digital traceability along the value chain. With one scan, digital traceability tracks certification for compliance; helps eliminates manual data entry; helps identify packaging for recycling in communities with programs and facilities in place that collect and recycle plastic packaging; and is aligned with open tracing standards. Product information can be exchanged from source to finished product and beyond, supporting the path of a circular economy.

 ▪ Nova Chemicals launched EX-PCR its new, mechanically recycled LLDPE. It contains 100% post-consumer recycled polyethylene (rPE)  and offers highly versatile design flexibility making it an ideal solution to lower the carbon footprint of packaging and address climate change. Nova’s rPE is sourced from distribution center flexible film, which includes a blend of back-of-store stretch and front-of-store consumer drop off. Source materials are processed with state-of-the-art technology reportedly resulting in a low odor, consistent, and stable product. Nova’s proven technical expertise can help guide customers to incorporate rPE and maintain the necessary level of performance while also creating recyclable flexible packaging that remains in the PE stream through a design for recycling approach.

Said Anna Rajkovic, Nova’s circular economy market manager. “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 format. We’re excited to commercialize this resin and build a more sustainable polyethylene portfolio for our customers and brand owners.”

 ▪  Braskem introduced its new Wenew brand, described as a complete ecosystem dedicated to promoting and realizing the circular economy.  On the one hand, the ecosystem is a label for products made with recycled content. On the other hand, Wenew is an umbrella brand under which not only products but also many other offers and various initiatives are gathered. A core focus of Wenew is to develop and promote high-quality circular products, such as polymers-including all PE resin grades and chemicals produced from mechanical recycling, advanced recycling or as a result of Braskem’s traditional production process. The goal is always to ensure maximum quality when used in Braskem's new products and can thus act as role models for broader use throughout the industry. In the following period, Braskem’s focus will be on communicating this fact to both the business and consumer sectors, thus initiating, or accelerating a fundamental change.