Mars and Huhtamaki Join Sabic’s Trucircle Initiative for Pet Food Packaging Based on Certified Circular Polypropylene

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, announced that biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, based on the company’s certified circular PP from feedstock recycling of used plastics, will be introduced in primary pet food brand packaging by Mars, Incorporated, a global leader in confectionery, food and pet food products.

The BOPP film structures are manufactured by Huhtamaki, a key supplier of sustainable packaging solutions to customers around the world. The joint initiative will reportedly help each company work towards the goal of reducing the volume of fossil-sourced plastics and accelerate the transition to a more circular plastics economy.

Following a successful pilot phase in 2020, Mars will incorporate certified circular PP polymer from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE^™ portfolio in the primary packaging of some of its popular pet food brands. The certified circular PP food-grade material is produced through the feedstock recycling of low quality, used mixed plastic that could otherwise be destined for incineration or landfill.

SABIC uses pyrolysis oil coming from UK-based Plastic Energy’s proprietary advanced recycling technology that enters the production chain just like fossil-based feedstock to deliver new materials that can address strict quality requirements. The resulting PP polymer is verified and authenticated under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme, which uses a mass balance approach.

While Mars is piloting the use of SABIC recycled content in Europe in 2020, the company plans to increase volumes used in 2021. Mars sees this as a major step in the company’s sustainability strategy, which is reportedly targeting the use of 30 percent recycled content across its packaging portfolio and a 25 percent reduction of virgin plastic by 2025.

BOPP film using certified circular PP polymer from SABIC reportedly offers an excellent balance of stiffness and toughness as well as barrier and hot-fill properties. It can be used for a wide range of flexible applications, from labels and tape to packaging pouches and bags.

For more information, visit https://www.sabic.com.