SABIC and Polivouga develop “world first” frozen fish bags from recovered ocean-bound plastic

24 Mar 2022 --- SABIC is providing flexible packaging film company Polivouga with certified circular polymers from recovered ocean-bound plastic. Nueva Pescanova Group, a leading Spanish brand owner specializing in the fishing, farming, processing and marketing of fresh, chilled and frozen seafood products, is using the packages for its frozen seafood in bags made from this film.

The partnership has resulted in the development of the “world’s first” frozen food packaging solution using SABIC’s certified circular polyethylene from feedstock sourced from recovered ocean-bound plastic. The packaging will be launched to coincide with World Oceans Day 2022.

“This is an exciting development for SABIC, and for the industry more widely, as it demonstrates that even used plastic recovered from in and around ocean feeding waterways has the potential to be converted into a high-quality plastic product for customers,” Mark Vester, global circular economy leader at SABIC, tells PackagingInsights.

“Importantly, this proves that materials made from recovered ocean-bound plastic can equal the quality of virgin plastics,” he adds.

Vester says this solution proves that materials made from recovered ocean plastic can equal the quality of virgin plastics.Converting ocean-bound plastic 
Vester explains the recovered ocean-bound plastic is converted using advanced recycling into an alternative feedstock which SABIC uses to produce certified circular polymers – SABIC  LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) and LDPE (low-density polyethylene) for further processing to flexible packaging film by Polivouga. 

Then, Nueva Pescanova packages its frozen seafood in bags made from this film.

“Thanks to the advanced recycling processes used to convert the recovered mixed and used recovered ocean-bound plastic into an alternative feedstock for our crackers, the resulting mass-balance circular polyolefins are a drop-in solution for SABIC’s customers,” explains Vester.

Overcoming recycling barriers 
Vester further explains that using recycled material in food-contact flexible plastic packaging has traditionally been more difficult for the industry. “This [difficulty] is due to the limitations of traditional mechanics to meet food contact packaging standards.”

The sophistication of advanced recycling technology overcomes this challenge to create more environmentally sustainable products for customers such as Nueva Pescanova.

Vester says a challenge also comes from the shift in infrastructure required. “Developing an entirely circular recycling system with the necessary regulatory support is a huge but necessary step we need to take together and will require all players across the value chain to collaborate.” 

“That’s why SABIC is committed to developing long-term solutions and working with partners to significantly upscale the production of more [environmentally] sustainable materials, including those produced using recycled ocean-bound plastic materials, for the benefit of our customers, society and the environment.”

The collaboration is SABIC’s first Trucircle project using recycled ocean-bound plastic for certified circular polyethylene. 

Realizing UN SDG14SABIC is a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, working to stem the flow of plastic waste entering the environment.
Vester highlights that SABIC launched its sustainability roadmap in 2019 to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Within this roadmap, we identified 10 of the total 17 SDGs where we believe we can have the most positive impact – this includes SDG14 [Life Below Water].”

When asked how the company plans to further realize SDG14, they explain that “alongside our innovative work to recycle ocean plastic, collaboration will be vital to our industry’s success in supporting the realization of the SDGs.”

Vester asserts SABIC has partnered with other chemical companies and manufacturers in several initiatives that support the ambitions of SDG14. 

“We have been supporting Operation Clean Sweep since 2015, through which we have pledged to work towards 100% containment of plastic pellet, flake and powder. SABIC is also a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which is working to stem the flow of plastic waste entering the environment,” he highlights.

Planning ahead
Vester says the company plans to increase the volume of recycled products it processes in Europe to 200 Kilotons by 2025, “in line with our pledge to the EU Commission, as well as developing initiatives to scale up the production of more sustainable materials globally.”

He continues by explaining that extending SABIC’s supply chains to recover used plastic materials, such as recovered ocean-bound plastics for recycling into new high-quality products, is just one part of this strategy.

“We are also working to considerably increase our supply of certified circular polymers through the construction of our first commercial advanced recycling plant, situated in the Netherlands.” 

“The project relies on value chain collaborations and innovations on an unprecedented scale and will enable SABIC to significantly upscale the production of our certified circular polymers coming from mixed and used plastics,” Vester concludes.

By Natalie Schwertheim