Closed loop initiative for KIND snack bar packaging

SABIC has teamed up with Mars and Landbell in a closed-loop recycling project for flexible food packaging using certified circular polypropylene (PP) from the company’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio.

The flexible BOPP packaging structure made with certified circular food-grade PP enables mono-material applications to facilitate end-of-life recycling in existing collection and conversion operations without compromising quality and processability.

“We are very excited about this pioneering closed-loop project that demonstrates the feasibility and speed of implementing circular plastic innovations when leading actors from across the entire value chain are closely collaborating,” said Lada Kurelec, General Manager PP, PET, PS, PVC, PU & Elastomers Businesses for Petrochemicals at SABIC.

The new mono-material packaging solution continues the partners’ efforts to support a circular economy by incorporating advanced recycled content in healthy snack bar packaging.

“At Mars, we want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste, but is recycled, reused or composted. For this to happen, we need new solutions and infrastructure to change the recycling landscape and to complement mechanical recycling,” added Barry Parkin, Chief Procurement & Sustainability Officer at Mars.

“Mixed used plastic from flexible consumer packaging is difficult to sort and recycle mechanically,” added Uwe Echteler, Chief Operating Officer for Landbell Group. “However, as demonstrated in this closed-loop project, we can facilitate effective advanced recycling solutions that allow plastics and packaging manufacturers as well as OEMs and brand owners to reclaim and benefit from the value of mixed used plastics while at the same time reducing fossil depletion and enhancing their carbon footprint.”

The loop starts with the collection of mixed used plastics coordinated by Landbell Group. Landbell works with Hündgen Entsorgung to sort the mixed used plastics and delivers the mixed material to Plastic Energy, where it is converted to pyrolysis oil in a patented thermal anaerobic conversion process. The pyoil serves as alternative feedstock in SABIC’s production process of virgin-quality food-contact approved PP polymer, which is pelletised and supplied to Taghleef Industries, a provider of biaxially oriented PP (BOPP) film.

SIT Group uses the BOPP film manufactured by Taghleef with SABIC’s certified circular polymer to create printed BOPP roll-fed packaging for KIND brand snack bars and delivers it to Mars.

After successful piloting, the certified circular PP food-grade will now be introduced into the KIND snack bar wrap as part of the group’s plans to increase its volumes of recycle content also in other brand products packaging.