Berry Global Group forms closed-loop recycling ecosystem

        In an effort to increase the availability of post-industrial recycled materials and reduce its reliance on virgin polymers, Berry Global Group Inc. of Evansville, Indiana, has announced that it will use a closed-loop recycling system to help manufacture its Endura product line.

       The system was first launched earlier this year at the company’s six existing European locations. Through it, Berry provides nonwovens to customers, receiving post-industrial materials from customers’ conversion processes and incorporating the recycled content into Berry’s Endura nonwovens line. According to Berry, Endura spunbond and meltblown products contain up to 90% recycled content and can be used in applications such as disinfectant wipes, home and bedding, roofing and carpeting. “Customers look to Berry to help them achieve their sustainability goals,” said Achim Schalk, executive vice president and general manager of health, hygiene and specialty products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Through our size and scale, we have a unique ability to invest in and commercialize innovative, sustainable solutions to increase recycled content, reduce emissions and promote circularity.”

       By using the Endura line and closed-loop recycling, Berry will have access to more recycled plastic. The company said using post-industrial materials reduces Scope 1 CO2-equivalent emissions per kilogram in the manufacturing process by 70% compared to virgin materials, and will directly impact its goal to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% from 2019.

       Berry said products under the Endura line are recognized for the SCS Recycled Content Certification, which measures the percentage of recycled content to make accurate claims in the marketplace, allowing customers to include the SCS logo on packaging.