Green tie-ups: Amcor to source rPE from Nova Chemicals; Lummus/Citroniq to build bio-PP plants in US

Packaging firm Amcor has announced a MOU with PE producer Nova Chemicals Corporation for the purchase of mechanically recycled PE resin (rPE) for use in flexible packaging films. Increasing the use of rPE in flexible packaging applications is an important element of Amcor's commitment to support packaging circularity, it adds.

The supply agreement would enable Amcor to purchase Syndigo rPE resin, manufactured at Nova Chemicals' first mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, which is projected to be in operation as early as 2025. The recycling facility was announced in July as a significant expansion of Nova Chemicals' Circular Solutions business.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us to supplement our rPE supply in support of our target to achieve 30% recycled material usage across our global portfolio by 2030," said Fred Stephan, president of Amcor Flexibles North America. "Incorporating rPE into flexible packaging films helps brand owners meet voluntary commitments on recycled content targets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep plastic waste in the economy and out of the environment."

"We are pleased to work with Amcor to bring more film-grade rPE to market and further drive the circular economy," said Greg DeKunder, vice president, Nova Circular Solutions. "Reshaping plastics for a better future will take collaboration within our industry, and we share Amcor's commitment to further global packaging circularity."

Nova Chemicals plans to expand its recycling footprint across North America over the next several years to help reach its ambition of 30% share of total PE sales from products containing recycled content.  

In other news, US-based Lummus Technology and Citroniq Chemicals announced that the two companies have signed licensing and engineering agreements for green polypropylene (PP) plants in the US. The first plant, scheduled for completion in 2027, will produce 400 kilotonnes/year of bio-PP and will be first in North America with this production capability.

In April 2023, Lummus and Citroniq formed a partnership to develop four green polypropylene plants in North America using Lummus’ Verdene PP technology suite. The licensing and engineering agreements announced today are for the first of the four plants.   

The Verdene suite includes four Lummus technologies: ethanol to ethylene technology, dimer technology, olefins conversion technology and polypropylene technology. Lummus is the only technology provider able to supply all the proven, low energy technologies to produce renewable green PP from biogenic ethanol.

“This agreement demonstrates the progress we continue to make with Citroniq in establishing the first world-scale sustainable bio-polypropylene production process in North America,” said Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer of Polymers and Petrochemicals, Lummus Technology. “Combining Lummus’ leadership in polypropylene licensing with Citroniq’s carbon negative production capabilities will help us meet the growing demand for bio-polypropylene and accelerate the decarbonisation of the downstream energy industry.”

“Citroniq’s four-plant bio-polypropylene licensing agreement with Lummus Technology is a testament of our commitment to bring sustainable plastics at world-class scale to the marketplace,” said Mel Badheka, President & Co-Founder of Citroniq Chemicals.

(PRA)

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