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The post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin for collation shrink film gives North American customers one more tool for sustainable packaging alternatives, said Dow.

Clare Goldsberry

October 27, 2020

2 Min Read
Industrial shrink wrap machine
Image: Itsanan/Adobe Stock

Dow introduced today its first post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin for collation shrink film in North America, enabling companies to incorporate more PCR material in their application while maintaining performance.

The recycled plastic resin, which is designed specifically for retail and logistic shrink-film applications, expands Dow’s circular technology portfolio. It helps more customers and brands achieve their sustainability goals by offering the ability to create shrink film with up to 40% PCR content, said Dow.

“We developed our PCR-rich resin to meet market demand for companies seeking to use more recycled plastics in their products, and we collaborated across the value chain to bring it to life,” said Victor Zapata, Dow’s Recycling Commercial Director for North and Latin America. “This gives our customers one more tool to explore sustainable packaging alternatives, especially within Dow’s Pack Studios collaboration centers.”

The recycled material in Dow’s XUS60030.01 experimental low-density polyethylene resin includes 70% certified, film-based PCR. By using a high percentage of recycled plastics, this innovation can help companies reduce their CO2 emissions and energy footprints, according to Dow.

Other important advantages of the PCR-rich resin include final package performance that is comparable to packages made with 100% virgin resins, its recyclability as an all-PE film, and the flexibility it provides to customize PCR content for shrink applications.

The PCR-rich resin is sourced with recycled material that includes a high level of certified PCR. It consists primarily of “clear, clean polyethylene from commercial sources, including stretch wrap and poly bags,” Dow told PlasticsToday. “We collaborate with local partners and suppliers who can ensure a consistent quality supply of PCR,” Zapata said. Additionally, the resin contains no post-industrial scrap.

“The launch of our PCR-rich resin is aligned with Dow’s strategy of designing products for circularity and implementing recycling solutions to provide new life for used plastics,” said Zapata.

Dow is developing additional PCR innovations that will be introduced in the coming year for applications in the industrial and consumer packaging markets.

About the Author(s)

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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