Nova Chemicals film structure designs include PCR

Nova Chemicals Corp., Calgary, Alberta, says it has developed a series of customizable film structure designs formulated with postconsumer resin (PCR). The film structures incorporate postconsumer low-density and linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE/LLDPE) material, can be tailored to meet the demands of film applications, including heavy-duty sack, collation shrink, stretch film, agricultural film, trash bags and liners, food packaging and protective packaging for e-commerce, such as bubble wrap and air pillows, the company adds.

Greg DeKunder, vice president, polyethylene marketing, Nova Chemicals, says, “The introduction of these film structure designs is one of several initiatives we are pursuing to make it easier and more practical for the industry and our customers to incorporate PCR into new packaging and products.”

The film structure designs also are a vital step in helping consumer brands meet their ambitious sustainability goals, Monika Kleczek, circular economy market manager, Nova Chemicals, says. “The PCR teams at our Innovation Centres are working closely with film producers, converters and brand owners to design high-performance PCR-content consumer packaging,” she adds. “Together, they are accelerating commercialization of these packages and advancing the circular economy.”

Last year, Nova Chemicals entered into agreements with Canada-based Merlin Plastics, and Little Rock, Arkansas-based Revolution to supply PCR from these companies to its customers. The company also introduced a suite of ready-to-recycle resins in 2019, which, in their virgin state, are designed to compensate for the potentially degraded physical performance of recycled content in film structures. Customers seeking to incorporate PCR into their film designs also are supported by Nova Chemicals’ Innovation Centres, which are staffed by a dedicated team of PCR experts and equipped with industry-leading production, conversion and testing equipment, the company says.