Petrochemicals company Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe announced today a new application for its Recycl-IN recycled polymer grades in collaboration with flexible packaging company Coveris. The new pallet stretch-hood packaging film contains a minimum of 30% recycled material yet achieves the same performance as a film previously made from 100% virgin resin.

Rigorous tests of the recycled stretch-hood covering for pallets at Ineos’ manufacturing facility in Grangemouth, Scotland, demonstrated that product integrity and quality was maintained, said the news release. The product has been introduced ahead of UK legislation for packaging materials that will require a minimum content of recycled polymers.

Ineos Polymer Business Manager Graham MacLennan noted in the release that palletized distribution of goods is increasing. “By substituting virgin polymer content with recycled polymers, we are actively working toward our targets to adopt a more circular approach, signaling our clear commitment to using more recycled plastic as a raw material,” said MacLennan. “Our new product, developed in close partnership with Coveris, is a clear demonstration of this. Within Ineos we remain committed to sustainability, to achieving net zero in our operations and bringing solutions to the market that enable others in the supply chain to lower their carbon footprints, too.”

“Our collaboration with Ineos has enabled us to develop a new stretch hooding product with 30% [post-consumer recycled] content, without increasing gauge or compromising on performance,” added Mike Richardson, Technical Director, Coveris Winsford. “Supporting our vision of no waste and the wider industry sustainability goals, the new solution offsets the need for virgin plastics whilst maintaining full recyclability, as well as being fully compliant with UK plastics packaging tax.”

Headquartered in Switzerland with facilities in China and across Europe, Ineos stressed that it continues to develop and explore new ranges of Recycl-IN recycled polymer grades through the combination of post-consumer recyclates and selected virgin material to achieve performance levels that match virgin polymer solutions.