PureCycle, RM Tohcello and Mitsui advance recycled BOPP film for Japan

PureCycle Technologies, a US-based company focusing on plastic recycling, has partnered with RM Tohcello, a Japanese producer of biaxially oriented PP (BOPP) film, and Mitsui, a trading and investment company. 

The companies say the partnership aims to advance BOPP film with “meaningful” recycled content, which is considered one of the most difficult applications to achieve, due to the high purity that is required.

Wiebe Schipper, PureCycle VP of European and Asia Pacific operations, says: “This partnership represents the kind of step-change we envisioned when PureCycle’s technology was developed. We’re unlocking an entire segment of applications where recycled content had previously been locked out.”

“The fact that we have completed trials with one of the world’s premier film producers is validation of what our resin can do. We are energized by what this means for our customers, for brand owners, and for the future of packaging.”

Adopting recycled content

BOPP film can be used in food packaging, labels, and consumer goods. The partners are now preparing to launch their materials developed from PureFive resin to converters and brand owners in Japan, with the execution of a formal commercial agreement anticipated in 2027 and shipments to Japan following compliance with import regulations.

Masaru Furukawa, RM Tohcello executive officer and head of business sector, says: “Flexible films are one of the fastest growing segments in packaging and we’ve been waiting for a solution like PureCycle’s to allow us to start using recycled content in BOPP film and PP sealant film.”

“These films can help transform post-consumer waste into materials contributing to GHG-emission avoidance. We would like to promote application developments with our value chain partners.”

PureCycle says its dissolution recycling technology is able to remove additives, colors, odors, and other impurities from post-consumer PP waste. PureCycle produces a third-party certified recycled resin that can be used in different applications.

Earlier this year, PureCycle Technologies and Toppan, a Japanese printing company, jointly developed flexible films and thermoformed packaging using high-quality recycled content to address global regulatory requirements.

Previously, Toppan, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello unveiled a joint pilot testing to establish technologies and operational infrastructure for the horizontal recycling of printed BOPP flexible packaging.

Last month, PureCycle Technologies announced the production and trial evaluation of white, cavitated BOPP film in partnership with Innovia Films.