Green materials: Castrol India produces 50% recycled content HDPE bottles; Drinking water pipes made from chemically recycled plastic installed in Vienna

Lubricant maker Castrol India Ltd has increased the recycled content in its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles to 50%. The company says it is marking a significant step in its sustainability efforts and it aims to use 2,600 tonnes/year of recycled plastic in its packaging by 2024.

This move is a crucial part of Castrol's ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability of its packaging.

Previously, the company made strides with the commercial launch of 100% recycled bottles for its POWER1 range in 2022, and by 2023, it had successfully integrated 30% recycled content into all its bottle packaging. These steps showcase Castrol's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and improving its packaging practices.

The recent change aligns with what it says are its global PATH360 strategy, which aims to reduce its plastic footprint by half by 2030.

By increasing the recycled content in its bottles, Castrol says it is making a tangible impact on the amount of plastic waste entering the environment.

This initiative involves the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, which plays a key role in reducing the reliance on virgin plastic. By integrating PCR into its packaging, Castrol adds it not only decreases the demand for new plastic but also promotes a circular economy where materials are reused and repurposed, reducing overall waste.

In other news, polyolefins maker Borealis announced the success of a value chain collaboration to develop a chemically recycled drinking water pressure pipe. Around 660 m of polyethylene PE100-RC (crack resistant) drinking water pressure pipes based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle C technology platform are being laid in Vienna, Austria.

The installation is the result of a pilot project to help Wiener Wasser (the Vienna Water Department), increase the sustainability of its operations.

The groundbreaking initiative is the outcome of an all-Austrian partnership between Borealis, Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, and Wiener Wasser.

Creating drinking water pressure pipes from recycled plastic posed a significant challenge due to the high purity and quality requirements of materials used in sensitive and demanding applications.

The breakthrough was made possible by Borcycle C technology, with which polyolefin-based waste is chemically recycled into new, virgin-quality plastics that are capable of meeting stringent performance standards. Mechanically recycled PE and PP do not yet meet the standards required for pressure pipe applications.

The specific grade, BorSafe Bc HE3490-LS-H-90, contains over 90% chemically recycled content, based on a mass balance allocation. This enabled the project partners to avoid a lengthy revalidation and reapproval process. The integrity of the approach is verified by ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), which covers the entire supply chain, from raw material to final product, guaranteeing compliance with strict sustainability standards.

The project also leverages the considerable experience of Pipelife, an international manufacturer of piping solutions, which is part of wienerberger, one of the leading providers of ecological solutions for the entire building envelope in the areas of new buildings and renovations, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management.

As manufacturers of the PE100-RC drinking water pressure pipes, Pipelife benefitted from the fact that Borcycle C grades are a drop-in solution, processable on existing equipment. The sustainable, leak-tight PE pipes have an expected lifespan of over 100 years, helping to mitigate the global water shortage, adds the firm.

This pilot project is intended to pave the way for future collaborations between the partners.

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