Dow launches new formulation of PCR resin

Dow recently developed and commercialized a new formulation of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) XUS 60921.01 for the production of shrink film in the Asia-Pacific region. This resin contains up to 40% of PCR, and the performance of the film made with it is comparable to the film made of new plastic materials, while also reducing the amount of plastic waste generated in the environment.

The film made of the recycled resin can be used for the middle layer of the 3-layer or 5-layer shrink film, so that the recycled plastic content of the whole film can reach 13%-24%. However, this film cannot be used for food contact, personal protective equipment, and pharmaceutical packaging.

According to reports, XUS 60921.01 is made of recycled plastic collected in China by Dow's strategic recycling partners and manufactured at the company's external manufacturing base in Nanjing, China.

"Compared with shrink films made of new plastic materials, shrink films with a PCR content of 20% have good shrinkage, equivalent film modulus, equivalent mechanical properties, impact resistance, puncture resistance, stiffness and shrinkage balance. Good characteristics," said Dr. Ma Weiming, Sustainability Technical Manager for the Asia Pacific Region of the Packaging and Specialty Plastics Business Unit of Dow at an online media conference.

Increasing e-commerce requires packaging to be more efficient and durable, avoiding unnecessary waste of packaging materials. This newly formulated PCR resin can meet this demand while reducing carbon dioxide and energy footprint, helping plastic manufacturers, brands and retailers to achieve sustainable development goals.


Create value for the entire value chain

The launch of XUS 60921.01 is part of Dow’s comprehensive strategy for the development of a plastic circular economy. The strategy focuses on integrating recycled content into the company’s products. Suny Markose, Director of Recycling Business, Asia Pacific, Dow’s Packaging and Specialty Plastics Division, said: "Developing new plastic waste end markets will help encourage recycling and reuse, allowing more recycled products to be developed while reducing access to our environment Amount of plastic."

Dow believes that the participation of the entire industrial value chain is essential to establish a stable business model to achieve a circular economy. By increasing market demand and creating added value for the entire value chain, it benefits brand owners, material suppliers and recycling plants. "At present, most recycling plants mainly involve relatively low-end application markets, so their business is relatively affected by market prices. A high-value industrial value chain will help to recycle more plastics." Suny Markose explained .

The production of such high-quality recycled materials requires additional costs. Suny Markose emphasized that the company has taken many additional rigorous steps to ensure that the products can meet the quality requirements.

"We shouldn't just look at costs. The value and quality of products are also important. Since many brand owners require high-quality products to achieve their sustainable development goals, the cost and quality here need to be balanced," he emphasized.


Solve the domestic plastic waste recycling problem

Although such post-consumer recycling products are relatively new to the Asia-Pacific region, Dow believes that the market is making good progress and has received positive feedback from customers.

Zhuang Yanni, senior manager of industrial and consumer packaging marketing in the Asia-Pacific region of Dow’s Packaging and Specialty Plastics business unit, added: “New products are produced in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, which demonstrates our pursuit of sustainable development goals.”

In addition to collecting recycled plastics in China, Dow has also found many potential partners and is carrying out similar activities in the Asia-Pacific region. These partners have advanced technology and a stable source of plastic waste.

"Our partners need to have very good waste plastic collection capacity, not just processing capacity. We hope that all regions can solve their own domestic problems instead of processing imported plastic waste."