LyondellBasell, AFA Nord form JV to recycle post-commercial packaging waste

Global chemical company LyondellBasell and agricultural film recycler AFA Nord are launching a 50:50 joint venture, LMF Nord GmbH, aiming to recycle post-commercial flexible secondary packaging waste.

The venture plans to construct a mechanical recycling plant in Northern Germany. The facility will repurpose Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) waste into high-quality recycled plastic materials for flexible packaging applications, with production expected to commence in early 2025.

Andreas Mensing — AFA Nord managing director said: “We already operate Germany’s only agricultural film recycling plant for a number of years and have a broad experience in the production of recycled materials.

“Together with LyondellBasell we can contribute to a circular economy and increase the availability of recycled solutions for flexible packaging applications.”

Currently, recycling secondary plastic packaging, such as shrink or stretch film used to safeguard consumer goods during transportation and storage, presents a challenge. Turning these materials into high-grade raw materials that fulfill the packaging industry’s specifications on product strength and transparency has proven difficult.

The new recycling plant, however, will generate an estimated 26,000 tons of recycled LDPE and LLDPE annually. LyondellBasell will market these recycled materials as part of its CirculenRecover product range, suitable for various applications, including stretch films and collation shrink films. The CirculenRecover product family currently comprises mechanically recycled materials used in diverse applications, from electrical appliances to washing detergent bottles and suitcases.

TM Recycling GmbH, a sister company of AFA Nord, will supply the feedstock for LMF Nord GmbH. TM Recycling is also a member of the Mensing Group. The joint venture marks a significant stride towards circular economy goals by turning post-commercial packaging waste into valuable raw materials.

Yvonne van der Laan — LyondellBasell executive vice president of Circular and Low Carbon Solutions said: “This Joint Venture will provide recycled LDPE and LLDPE materials and complements our existing CirculenRecover range of high density polyethylene and polypropylene products.

“It adds to our efforts in advanced recycling and delivers against our integrated hub strategy, where we invest upstream to provide feedstock from various plastic waste streams. With this efficient full suite of solutions we continue to be the preferred partner of our customers.”