Milliken & Company and PureCycle Technologies have come together to develop the first fully environmentally sustainable concentrate for PP on the market made from recycled resin. The resin advances circularity as the concentrate will allow for greater use of 100% recycled content.

Milliken specializes in polymer additives and colorant technology, while PureCycle has a patented recycling process that was developed and licensed by Procter & Gamble, which separates color, odor and other contaminants from PP waste feedstock to transform it into an ultra-pure, virgin-like resin.

PureCycle used its already-designed materials to create the resin, and Milliken’s additives played a critical role in reinvigorating recycled PP (rPP) to create circularity in the new material.

“At the time of our announcement we are in the initial stages of developing the ideal format for our concentrate solution, taking into account the market and needs of our customer base. With this research, we are confident we can bring a sustainable solution to the markets we serve.”

Katie Kellogg, global product line manager at Milliken.

The resin is the first odorless concentrate for PP based on a recycled resin carrier. When it is used in combination with PureCycle’s recycled PP it has a 35% lower carbon footprint than virgin PP. The vessels created from the resin can be used for many types of packaging and containment needs by brands and gives the ability to broadcast its fully recyclable functionality to appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

As a matter of fact, PureCycle is set to provide Berry Global with its Ultra-Pure Recycled resin, pushing for more sustainable food and beverage packaging solutions, including buckets, jars, and clear pails.