CPChem and CNG join forces for chemically recycled PE overwrap film

20 Feb 2023 --- Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) and Charter Next Generation (CNG) are producing overwrap film made with CPChem’s Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene for store shelves in the US. Overwrap films help preserve food, keep medical instruments secure and sterile and provide lightweight and durable product packaging.

“Together with CNG, we are transforming waste plastics into useful products and demonstrating real-world, commercial-scale applications of circular plastics,” says Jay Bickett, CPChem’s vice president of polymers. “This collaboration is a great example of the new possibilities unlocked by advanced recycling.”

CPChem leverages its established advanced recycling program to produce Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene, certified through international sustainability and carbon certification (ISCC) Plus using the free attribution model.

Chemically recycled PE
The recycling process uses pyrolysis oil, made from difficult-to-recycle waste plastics, as a feedstock to produce circular PE with characteristics identical to CPChem’s original Marlex PE, explain the companies.

Overwrap films help keep medical instruments secure and sterile.CNG is using recycled content as a component in several of its food and consumer packaging films and recently announced ISCC Plus certification at its Lexington, US, campus. This location is one of the single largest extrusion sites in the world and serves key markets such as towel and tissue overwrap, fresh produce, protein, e-commerce and more.

“CNG is excited to bring films using Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene to consumers,” says Doug Latreille, chief commercial officer at CNG. “With our Lexington campus now ISCC Plus certified, CNG is well positioned to offer circular products like these films to customers on a commercial scale.”

US film recycling
CPChem continues to explore applications for its PE and enhance its advanced recycling program. The company recently worked with Phillips 66 to process pyrolysis oil in a successful commercial scale trial at the Phillips 66 Sweeny Refinery in Old Ocean, US.

The Phillips 66 site has also received ISCC PLUS certification, verifying the refinery meets the standards to convert pyrolysis oil into circular feedstocks, which can be used to produce CPChem’s Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene.

Last year, leading global businesses and research institutions in America’s Upper Midwest united to catalyze a regional circular economy for flexible films and packaging materials. The initiative – led by Minnesota’s MBOLD coalition – aimed at expanding film recycling infrastructure and the supply of recycled resin for use in new products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curtailing waste.

The coalition was supported by members General Mills, Schwan’s Company, Target, Ecolab, Cargill, Land O’Lakes and the University of Minnesota, who are collaborating across the value chain with film recycler Myplas USA and film manufacturer Charter Next Generation.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim

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