INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has revealed its new Recycl-IN hybrid polymer grade containing 70% recycled material, said to boost the sustainability of contact-sensitive cosmetics packaging without compromising on quality or performance.
The company states that Recycl-IN hybrid polymers deliver the strength, aesthetics, and processing ease customers expect while ‘significantly increasing’ recycled content and reducing CO2 emissions. INEOS says this is achieved by combining high levels of mechanically recycled plastic with advanced ‘booster’ polymers.
The new product is a natural colour polypropylene homopolymer designed for thin-walled injection moulding and fibre extrusion. According to INEOS, this makes it ideal for manufacturing stiff, coloured or translucent components such as screw caps, jars, and lids; mascara reservoirs and caps; deodorant roller balls and spray-over caps and dispenser parts.
INEOS states that the key features of the new grade, rPP1025C, are stiffness for shape retention, premium feel, and reliable functionality and heat resistance for product stability and shelf life. It is also designed as a drop-in solution for demanding applications as the ease of processing, mechanical strength, and optical properties apparently remain comparable to the qualities of virgin polypropylene while delivering a 35% lower carbon footprint.
INEOS adds that the new grade also has natural colour to cut costs, simplify recycling and provide a neutral base for branding without added pigments; scratch resistance to preserve ‘premium appearance and brand integrity’; and ‘virgin-quality colourability’ which enables a full spectrum of shades from light to dark.
The recycled materials are said to be covered by an FDA No Objection Letter (NOL) and certified as Post-Consumer Recyclate (PCR) by RecyClass, in line with ISO 14021 environmental labelling standards.
In other news, Borealis and Borouge recently revealed a global portfolio of mechanically recycled, post-industrial and consumer recyclates and compounds, expected to help customers lower their carbon footprints. The Recleo portfolio is expected to keep valuable raw materials in the loop, meet customer demand for recycled content and help users reduce their virgin feedstock consumption.
Last year Berry launched a ‘high-quality’ post-consumer recycled plastic polymer for non-contact-sensitive homecare and industrial packaging, said to eliminate around 36,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. CleanStream is said to be compatible with existing waste management infrastructures, and its closed-loop system is expected to provide consistency and reliability for customers’ supply chains.
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