Recent developments
European circular polyolefins
Momentum shifted toward circular PP/PE in Europe as Borealis expanded its expanded distribution partnership with Tegral Materials to Southern and Western Europe, improving access for flexible and rigid consumer packaging to advanced grades and planned integration of Bornewables and Borcycle C/M. On the performance front, Borcycle CWT120CL, an 85% PCR rLLDPE produced on Erema’s Intarema line, addressed the long-standing challenge of high-PCR content in stretch and agro films while cutting energy use up to 12%. Together, these moves tighten the link between supply reliability, processing consistency, and EU PPWR compliance, giving converters scalable, drop-in routes to higher recycled and bio-attributed content without sacrificing line speed or film properties.
Paper barriers mature
Paper-based high-barrier structures advanced rapidly. UPM and Royal Vaassen’s Barryrwrap concept delivered recyclable, food-safe oxygen/moisture barriers (e.g., Everest for instant coffee) designed for paper-stream recovery and PPWR alignment, including new canister-style formats. UPM broadened this platform at Fachpack 2025, showcasing collaborative developments with BOBST/Michelman and brand applications like Orkla’s fibre-based chocolate wrapper. Critically, UPM and EvoPak enabled Walkers Chocolates’ shift from plastic to recyclable paper using Solide Lucent plus RCM coating, maintaining packaging line efficiency while achieving CEPI/4EG technical recyclability—evidence that paper-barrier solutions can meet demanding grease/oxygen specs at industrial scale.
Bio-based adoption accelerates
Japan emerged as a bellwether for bio-attributed polymers. Braskem's bioplastics underpin shopping bags with up to 95% bio-based content, contributing to ~460 kt CO2e reductions over three years and aligning with national climate measures—signaling robust downstream pull for bio-PE in flexible and rigid packaging. In premium cosmetics, LyondellBasell, Futamura, Iwatani, and Shiseido introduced CirculenRenew bio-based polypropylene into Clé de Peau Beauté outer films, leveraging certified C14 content and drop-in compatibility. These programs validate mass-balance and identity-preserved claims, ease conversion risk, and help distributors and brands synchronize certified feedstocks with scope 3 decarbonization targets.
Recycling hits parity
Dissolution recycling reached a key proof point as Brückner trials showed PureFive resin in BOPP film with 50% PCR ran at 40 m/min and matched virgin-like performance across 25–50 µm structures for snacks, labels, and tapes. The 16,000 m pilot produced customer-ready rolls, indicating converters can lift PCR inclusion without compromising clarity, mechanicals, or productivity. This complements mechanical advances (e.g., cleaner rLLDPE streams and energy-optimized reprocessing), collectively reducing variability and odor while moving food-contact film architectures toward PPWR recycled-content thresholds.
Portfolio innovation signals
Material portfolios broadened to serve high-speed converting and regulated markets. At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Braskem highlighted I’m green bio-PE, EVA, and wax alongside Wenew recycled grades, plus MDO polymers, bio-based nonwovens, and Medcol LDPE—framing a pathway to 1 Mt each of bio-based and recycled-content products by 2030. Cross-sector adoption reinforced brand acceptance of bio-derived polymers as Toray’s Ultrasuede nu material (≈30% plant-based polyester/PU from sugarcane waste and castor oil) debuted with CUPRA. For packaging value chains, these launches indicate supply readiness, consistent quality, and aesthetics that meet premium brand specifications while advancing circularity and carbon-reduction goals.