Recent developments
Regulatory alignment
Regulators and standards bodies expanded pathways for recycled inputs. New Jersey issued a one‑year conditional designation recognizing PureFive resin as postconsumer recycled content, clarifying documentation and timelines under the state’s recycled‑content law. Brand‑facing components advanced as Reliable Caps and PureCycle offered closures made with PureFive Ultra recycled polypropylene (up to 75% PCR) with GreenCircle certification and chain‑of‑custody for EPR and PPWR reporting. In additives, the EU granted approval for renewable Licocare rice bran wax in food‑contact plastics, adding a biobased option for compliant formulations.
Purity validation
Recycled PP progressed into contact‑sensitive uses. A P&G‑supported study reported an A3 CosPaTox designation for leave‑on cosmetic‑grade PureFive resin produced via dissolution recycling at Ironton, indicating impurity removal while retaining virgin‑like properties; results were generated from matched feedstock/finished‑resin lots tested in triplicate.
Scale and supply
Operational execution improved availability. PureCycle reported a record quarter of 8.4 million pounds of product, completed on‑site compounding for film/thermoform grades, and noted contracted demand ramps and two P&G application qualifications; management also cited pricing as virgin PP outpaced recycled feedstock. Internationally, a Thailand facility targets mechanical completion by end‑2027 and Belgium permits are expected near year‑end 2026 ahead of a 2028 completion.
Fiber and biobased routes
Converters were presented with paper solutions as UPM Specialty Materials, Michelman and BOBST jointly developed two validated paper‑based packaging concepts with SUPD‑compliant bio‑based coatings, recyclability under Cepi/4evergreen v2, and home‑compostability claims, designed for existing converting lines. In intermediates, Avantium sold the intellectual property for its Ray Technology to UPM, transferring bio‑MEG/MPG know‑how while refocusing on FDCA/PEF commercialization.
Performance enablers
To increase recycled content in PP applications without sacrificing mechanics, Nouryon introduced Perkadox PM‑60ST‑GR, an organic peroxide added in extrusion to rebuild molecular architecture, with testing showing up to a tenfold melt‑strength gain—supporting higher rPP usage in packaging, automotive, and consumer goods.