AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR) has announced that it has signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment and has joined forces with other businesses and governments committed to changing how we produce, use and reuse plastic.

The Global Commitment, through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, has mobilized over 250 signatories that are determined to start building a circular economy for plastic. Signatories of the Global Commitment include companies representing 20% of all plastic produced globally. Together they will work to eliminate plastic items that are not needed; innovate so that needed plastic is designed to be safely reused, recycled or composited; and circulate used plastic to keep it in the economy and out of the environment.

Commenting on Aptar’s commitment, Aptar President and CEO, Stephan Tanda said, “By signing the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, we further reinforce our pledge to reduce our environmental impact and support the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s vision for a circular economy. We look forward to partnering with our colleagues in the packaging industry to implement powerful changes to plastics manufacturing and the reuse of plastic, with the ultimate goal that it does not become waste.”

In the interest of supporting a more sustainable economy, Aptar launched a Sustainable Materials Task Force to address customer, consumer and regulatory expectations for sustainable product offerings. The task force’s fundamental objectives were to create a reliable network of sustainable material suppliers with the necessary technical and supply capabilities, and to establish a robust process with suppliers to validate sustainable materials and offer ready-to-use solutions.

Over the past few years, Aptar has evaluated and tested a number of sustainable resins. Aptar seeks sustainable materials that can replace our standard fossil-based resins, and is currently investigating post-consumer recycled resins (PCR), post-industrial resins (PIR) and bio-based materials.

Aptar has launched stock tube-top, snap-top and disc-top closures in North America made with PCR resin. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the beauty, personal care and home care applications, this PCR polypropylene is blended 50/50 with virgin polypropylene resin.

Aptar also recently qualified some of its dispensing systems with actuator, closure and dip tube components made of bio-based materials. These were the first dispensing systems on the global market to complete a life cycle assessment (LCA) and achieve an environmental product declaration (EPD) in compliance with standard ISO 14025. With the recent certification of LCA studies, these dispensing systems can further reduce environmental impact.

Aptar remains committed to sustainable resins and will continue to seek opportunities to replace fossil-based resins and increase our offering of sustainable dispensing solutions.