Poly Coated Paper Alliance adds new members

Several packaging companies have joined the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Poly Coated Paper Alliance (PCPA), helping the organization expand its work to advance practical, scalable recycling solutions for polycoated paper packaging in the United States.

The newest members include: Domtar, Fort Mill, South Carolina; NextGen Consortium, New York City; Smurfit Westrock, Dublin; and Toppan Inc., Japan.

“As a company that produces paperboard, Smurfit Westrock depends on consistent recycling outcomes,” Alison Kim, vice president of innovation and marketing at Smurfit Westrock, says in a news release. “PCPA offers additional visibility into system performance and provides a way to engage constructively with others working on recovery challenges.”

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PCPA’s focus is on paper-based packaging with polymer coatings or laminations, including common formats used in foodservice, beverage, household and personal care applications.

As the newest members represent different points across the paper and packaging value chain, PCPA their participation signals market confidence in the recyclability of polycoated paper packaging as well as a shared focus on improving the systems required to scale it.

PCPA’s initial goal was to build a “strong industry coalition” that would document where polycoated paper is being recycled, how effectively it is being collected, sorted and processed and whether or how it is reaching end markets. Now, in Phase 2, the group is hoping to build on the foundation it has established by improving data completeness, aligning guidance and supporting consistent recovery and market acceptance.

“But addressing these challenges and scaling solutions requires coordination across the entire value chain, rather than fragmented or single company approaches,” PCPA says in a news release. “The addition of these companies with deep operational expertise supports market development and helps reduce friction across collection, processing, and manufacturing realities.

“As recycling policy frameworks evolve, including the continued expansion of EPR [extended producer responsibility] programs in several states, end-market readiness and clear material pathways are increasingly important to program performance. PCPA continues to align recycling pathways to ensure polycoated paper can be managed effectively in real-world recycling systems.”

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PCPA is welcoming additional organizations interested in contributing to the advancement of polycoated paper recovery and notes that membership is open year-round.

“Our role is to bring more of the value chain into the same room for candid, technical discussions,” says Shannon Moore, director of global packaging sustainability at Mars Snacking. “Every new member strengthens the shared understanding needed to make better decisions across the system and we’re excited to welcome Domtar, NextGen, Smurfit Westrock and Toppan into the mix.”