Novolex injects US$10M in recycling plant expansion for PE films

12 Sep 2022 --- North America-based Novolex is investing US$10 million to increase the capacity of its recycling facility in Indiana, US, which will enable the recycling of plastic bags and other PE films. 

With the purchase of mechanical recycling technology, the facility will be able to create up to 28 million lb of recycled material annually to create new products manufactured from post-consumer or post-industrial recycled material. The plant is one of the company’s two film recycling facilities.

Stan Bikulege, Novolex chairman and CEO says “our added recycling capacity in Indiana reflects the Novolex commitment to support the circular economy.”

For the community
Bikulege explains that the expansion will assist in job creation in the community, as well as enable the company to keep developing new packaging solutions, claiming that it is “a win for everyone.”

“The technology will reduce waste and provide much-needed recycled content that we will be able to use in our products.” 

As additional equipment is gradually installed, the expanded operations will start to operate in the fourth quarter of this year and will be fully operational by the end of 2023. The project anticipates creating 14 more jobs for the neighborhood once it is fully functioning.

The machinery selected for the expansion will be able to recognize and classify a variety of incoming materials, including plastic bags, pallet wrap and agricultural film among others – offering crucial flexibility in the range of incoming feedstocks.

The facility will be able to create up to 28 million lb of recycled material annually.When operating at full capacity, the plant will use up to 40 million lb of PE waste annually that would have otherwise gone to landfills.

Industry innovations
Novolex develops and manufactures a diverse range of environmentally sustainable packaging products for multiple industries in the food service, delivery and carryout, food processor and industrial markets that touch nearly every aspect of daily life.

Recently, the company introduced a new compostable wrap for packing hot and cold food products such as snacks and sandwiches, tapping into increasing demand for environmentally sustainable products.

Another nouveau development saw Novolex address COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The company was awarded a new patent for Cutlerease: a dispenser that offers customers one disposable utensil at a time for enhanced hygiene and waste reduction.

With the patent now secured, Novolex customers can lease or buy Cutlerease dispensers – facilitating the technology’s adoption by food service establishments.

Carefully observing consumer needs, the company also recently developed grease-resistant containers that do not make use of PFAS.

Novolex’s Eco-Products has added seven items to its compostable take-out container lineup. The Vanguard two-piece containers are made from sugarcane fiber and designed for restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and snack bars seeking plastic and PFAS alternatives.

Edited by Mieke Meintjes

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