A new supply agreement for recycled low and linear low density polyethylene signed with leading waste management company Saica Natur has allowed Ineos Olefins & Polymers to expand its Recycl-IN range.
The company has now added a high-performance PE containing more than 60 percent recycled materials, compounded with new highly engineered virgin polymers to its recycled-content family of materials.
Until now, the range, available on the market since the fourth quarter of 2019, consisted of materials containing up to 50 percent post-consumer PE.
The present partnership with Saica will help Ineos meet growing demand for higher levels of recycled product in sustainable, virgin-quality flexible packaging.
"With this agreement, we are moving towards a circular economy model through the use of resources in a more sustainable and efficient way. Waste is transformed into a secondary raw material that will be then incorporated into new high quality products," Victor Sanz, director general of Saica Natur.
The Recycl-IN range currently includes rigid and flexible products for use in nonfood applications. This newest product is for use in flexible packaging and, says Ineos, has properties equivalent to virgin materials.
Recycled plastics lose some of their physical strength and performance each time they are recycled, but Ineos said it has the polymer science expertise to compound a product that offers the properties and high performance specification needed by converters and brand owners.
"Together with Saica Natur we have the innovation, drive, know-how and capability to move towards a circular economy for plastics in flexible packaging. Saica are experts in recycling post-consumer plastic film," said Rob Ingram, CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers North Europe.