Green tie-ups: LG Chem/CJ Logistics to recycle discarded packaging wraps; Alpla to work with South Korea’s Hana for recyclable PP pumps

Chemical company LG Chem has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with logistics company, CJ Logistics for recycling. CJ Logistics will collect packaging wraps disposed of at its logistics centres across the country and deliver to LG Chem that will convert the waste using its Post-Consumer Recycle (PCR) technology into useable wrap.

The company will supply 1,000 rolls of recycled wrap to CJ Logistics starting in April, with plans to increase the supply by recycling more packaging wraps.

The packaging wraps are used by logistics companies to fasten items loaded at logistics centres and industrial sites.

Through this initiative, LG Chem and CJ Logistics plan to reduce waste generated by deliveries and build a recycling ecosystem.

LG Chem vice president and LG PO (Polyolefin) Sales & Marketing head Samuel Han said: “We will construct a plastic circular economy by recycling packaging wrap that can be collected at logistics centres around the nation and contribute to reducing carbons for a sustainable future.”

South Korea reportedly generates approximately 800,000 tonnes/year of PE waste, of which, only 300,000 tonnes is said to be recyclable.

In other news, packaging firm Alpla says it is opening up new markets with pumps and started producing standard pumps for soap and shampoo dispensers in Hyderabad (India) in 2020. By signing a joint venture with the South Korean company Hana Innovation, Alpla now plans to continue its growth course in the strategically important injection moulding (IM) sector. With its solutions for the cosmetics industry, Hana Innovation is a recognised supplier of pumps and lotion dispensers. Founded in 1993, the company has developed fully recyclable solutions made of plastic mono-material.

“The potential for high-quality, recyclable pumps is enormous. As a system provider, we can offer the matching bottles at the same time. With this new partnership, we are combining our strengths as a globally operating company with the technological edge of Hana Innovation,” says Michael Feltes, Global Business Development Director IM at Alpla.

The Eco Pump system developed by Hana Innovation is made of 100% polypropylene (PP), which makes it fully recyclable, and can also be manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. In addition to its ecological advantages, the pump convinces with its convenient handling. In the future, the pumps – like all Alpla products – will also be customisable.

With the new cooperation, the two companies want to push the worldwide distribution of the sustainable pumps with the revolutionary patented plastic spring technology and in addition offer complete systems including the bottle. Alpla has worldwide production capabilities in injection moulding, complemented by many years of recycling expertise and an international network.

The formation of the joint venture is subject to legal and regulatory approval by the relevant competition authorities. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the partnership.

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