In recent years, the global push for sustainability has led to a significant rise in the development and adoption of recycled resin. As the world grapples with the challenges of plastic waste and the need to reduce reliance on virgin materials, recycled resin is emerging as a game - changing solution across various industries.
Growing Popularity and Market Expansion
The market for recycled resin has been expanding steadily. Companies like Recinloop are at the forefront, converting ethically sourced post - consumer and post - industrial plastic waste into high - quality recycled resins. Their advanced de - inking and deodorising processes ensure that the recycled resins are on par with virgin plastic standards. This not only helps brands meet their Use of Recycled Plastics (URep) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements but also provides a sustainable alternative for a wide range of applications, such as transparent flexible packaging.
Technological Innovations Technological advancements are playing a crucial role in improving the quality and performance of recycled resins. For example, some manufacturers have developed state - of - the - art integrated processes that can remove all contaminants from plastic waste in one go. This results in recycled resins with high tensile strength and transparency, making them suitable for applications where high - quality materials are required.
In the wind turbine industry, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a recyclable, plant - based resin nicknamed PECAN (Polyester Covalently Adaptable Network). Made from biobased chemicals extracted from plant waste, this resin can be used to construct wind turbine blades. Compared to traditional resins, PECAN resin produces 40% less greenhouse gas emissions and requires 30% less energy to make.
Industry Collaborations
Collaborations between different companies and industries are also driving the growth of the recycled resin market. Dow, a global leader in materials science, has been actively involved in several partnerships. In 2024, Dow announced the launch of two new REVOLOOP™ recycled plastic resin grades for non - food contact packaging applications, made from up to 100% post - consumer recycled (PCR) materials. Dow also joined forces with the RKW Group to develop a shrink film that incorporates recycled plastics derived from household waste. This collaboration combines Dow's material science expertise with RKW's advanced extrusion and printing technologies, resulting in a high - performing and recyclable flexible packaging solution.
In the automotive industry, Dow partnered with DeLian Group in 2024. DeLian Group successfully applied Dow's REVOLOOP™ recycled plastic resin (PCR) to automotive maintenance packaging. This innovation not only significantly reduces the reliance on virgin resins but also marks the first commercial application of this recycled resin in the automotive maintenance industry.
Applications Across Industries
Recycled resins are finding applications in a wide range of industries. In the packaging industry, they are being used to make everything from food - grade packaging to collation shrink films. Revolution recently received a letter of no objection from the US FDA for its proprietary recycling method to produce post - consumer recycled, linear low - density polyethylene (LLDPE PCR) made from recycled stretch film for food contact applications. This opens up new possibilities for sustainable food packaging solutions.
In the construction and manufacturing sectors, recycled resins are being used to create composite materials. Ostrom Polymers has developed plastic composites that contain up to 97% recycled content and can outperform virgin resin. These composites can be used in various applications, from building components to consumer products.
Future Outlook
As the demand for sustainable products continues to grow, the future of recycled resin looks promising. With more companies focusing on reducing their carbon footprint and meeting environmental goals, the market for recycled resin is expected to expand further. Continued technological innovation, industry collaborations, and supportive government policies will all contribute to the growth and development of the recycled resin industry. This will not only help to reduce plastic waste but also create a more sustainable and circular economy.
Jiangsu Feihong Polymer Materials Co., Ltd.
