INEOS cooperates with European blown film extruder to produce PE film containing 50% recycled materi

        INEOS and Hosokawa Alpine have produced a range of ultra-thin, high-toughness polyethylene films using resins containing more than 50% recycled plastic. The two companies hope that these new solutions will replace multi-material alternatives and increase recycled content in flexible packaging applications.

        Hosokawa Alpine is a European supplier of blown film extrusion systems. The INEOS Recycl-IN range reportedly combines Hosokawa Alpine's MDO technology with INEOS' expertise in polymers, with certified carbon emissions reduced by 25% to 50% compared to virgin raw materials. INEOS claims this is the first time such a large amount of recycled waste plastic has been applied to this type of packaging.

        The films are made by processing Recycli-IN blended resins, which blend recycled waste plastics with new resins, and are expected to help converters and brand owners increase the recycled content of their products while maintaining packaging quality.  

        Following previous investments in new Hosokawa Alpine MDO film lines for the development of monopolymer flexible packaging, INEOS expects to use the Hosokawa Alpine technology to produce Recycl-IN resins, enabling mechanically recycled polyethylene to be used in advanced technical film applications and in the production of challenging film extrusion materials such as MDO polyethylene.

        Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS O&P Europe North, said: “We share people’s concerns about plastic waste and showing that we can use large amounts of recycled material to help produce more recyclable end products demonstrates our commitment to creating a more sustainable future. Now that we have proved the concept, we open the door to exploring the application of Recycl-IN and MDO technologies to other flexible packaging products where we can make a real difference.