Amcor increases use of advanced recycling materials

Amcor, a Switzerland-based packaging producer with global operations, has announced its purchase of recycled-contet polyethylene (PE) material made using ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology for “advanced” recycling.   

Amcor says it will use the material across its global portfolio, providing customers in the health care and food industries with more recycled content in several applications.  

Increasing the use of recycled-content polymers is one way Amcor says it is meeting its sustainability pledge to develop its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025. The use of these materials will add to the 113,000 metric tons of recycled material Amcor used in its packaging in the fiscal year 2021. The technology behind advanced recycling allows post-use plastics to be converted into new products that are no different in quality and performance from ones made with virgin raw materials, providing customers peace of mind and the benefit of increasing the use of recycled content in their packaging, the company says.   

“Using advanced recycled materials is yet another step forward in Amcor meeting the challenges of our industry and offering our customers more sustainable packaging solutions,” says Amcor Chief Commercial Officer Peter Konieczny. “By leveraging ExxonMobil's Exxtend technology across our global product portfolio, Amcor is providing a true differentiator for our customers and the environment.”  

Using its Exxtend technology, ExxonMobil says it offers polymers certified via the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus system. 

“We are proud to see our relationship with Amcor expand with our Exxtend technology to help address their sustainability goals, as well as those of their customers,” says David Hergenrether, vice president of PE at ExxonMobil. “We look forward to working closely with Amcor to develop products that meet customer expectations for high-performance PE products while helping to recycle plastic waste.”