Novolex reports latest advances in sustainable product development

Novolex, a company based in Hartsville, South Carolina, focused on packaging and foodservice products, has updated its 2019 Sustainability Report for a second time this year. The report details Novolex’s progress in using recycled content, sustainable product development and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“As Novolex continues to grow, we have identified key metrics to gauge our success and challenge ourselves to do even more,” says Stan Bikulege, Novolex chairman and CEO. “Our aim is to play a leading role in the circular economy. With COVID-19 reminding us of the importance of protective packaging, the time is now for manufacturers, [nongovernmental organizations], brand owners, government regulators and consumers to join together to expand the world’s recycling infrastructure.”

Use of recycled content

The report outlines the company’s wide-ranging sustainability efforts, the use of recycled content key among them. In 2019, the company increased its use overall of postconsumer recycled (PCR) fiber and resin in its products, the company states in a news release on its sustainability updates. 

For its fiber-based products, the percentage of recycled fiber in the company’s supply chain was nearly half the total procured. When using PCR material was not possible, Novolex focused on procuring chain of custody (COC) certified prime fiber content traceable to the original source. When combined, 69 percent of fiber volume was either PCR or COC-certified content, an increase of 4 percent over 2018.  

Plastic resin used by Novolex consisted of 4 percent PCR content and 20 percent postindustrial resin in 2019, the same percentages as the prior year. While the reported 4 percent PCR is the same in 2018 and 2019, Novolex purchases of PCR material increased in total pounds. That was driven in part by the company’s two world-class polyethylene (PE) recycling centers, which specialize in recycling plastic consumer retail bags as well as films such as dry-cleaning bags, newspaper bags and other items labeled for “store drop-off” recycling programs.  

Sustainable product innovation

Novolex brands also introduced a number of new products designed with recycled or renewable materials. The company says products featured in the latest report include 50 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) clamshells from Waddington North America (WNA), a Novolex brand, as well as 75 percent postconsumer recycled fiber freezer paper from BagCraft and retail bags made with 75 percent recycled content from Hilex.

In addition, a new line of compostable plates and containers introduced by Eco-Products is made from sugarcane and uses proprietary compounds to achieve grease resistance without the use of conventional chemistry. The new Cutlerease cutlery dispensing system from WNA reduces waste and improves hygiene by dispensing customers one fork, knife or spoon at a time. It is also available for use with compostable utensils. During the year, Eco-Products also introduced products made from renewable materials such as molded fiber, sugarcane, wheat straw and bamboo.  

Emissions reductions

In 2019, Novolex reports that it improved its data collection processes to include both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions data from all of its global manufacturing operations. Energy use is a significant driver of emissions, with most of the company’s energy use coming from natural gas and grid electricity. In 2020, Novolex will begin purchasing renewable energy to further reduce its emissions and will also continue to seek opportunities to make energy efficiency improvements at its plants. Additionally, the company reported progress by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from use of truck fleets.  

“Looking ahead, Novolex is committed to doing even more,” says Erik Gonring, director of sustainability at Novolex. “Novolex is partnering with customers, suppliers, communities and others to develop solutions to further reduce the company’s environmental footprint. These efforts will help develop the new circular economy in which products and materials are recycled and reused to eliminate waste.”  

Novolex says it will continue to assess its performance against its environment, social and governance goals and document them in future sustainability reports. The full 2019 Novolex Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.