Novolex sees slight drop in global PCR usage

Bag, packaging and utensils producer Novolex used more PCR in its products in North America last year, but the company’s overall PCR usage dropped slightly due to supply challenges in the U.K. 

According to the Hartsville, S.C.-based company’s 2022 sustainability report, 3% of the total resin sourced by the company in 2022 was post-consumer plastic and 18% was post-industrial plastic. That was down from 4% PCR and 24% post-industrial plastic in 2021. For both years, most of the remainder consisted of virgin polymers, with a small amount of bio-derived plastic as well. 

The report noted the company’s North American PCR usage actually increased, but that Novolex experienced supply challenges in part because of the introduction of a plastics tax in the U.K. in 2022. 

Novolex recently announced a partnership with plastics producer NOVA Chemicals, which plans to build a large film recycling plant in Indiana. Novolex, which already runs film recycling plants in Indiana and Wisconsin, will operate the plant on behalf of NOVA, which will own it. 

Last year, Novolex announced an expansion of its North Vernon, Ind. recycling facility. The $10 million investment will double the plant’s film recycling capacity by the end of 2024, according to Novolex.