PureCycle partners with Nestlé, Milliken for plastic recycling

US recycling firm PureCycle Technologies has partnered with Nestlé and industrial manufacturer Milliken & Company, as it looks to roll out its “revolutionary” polypropylene recycling method and open a new facility.

PureCycle’s patented recycling process, developed and licensed by Procter & Gamble (P&G), separates colour, odour and other contaminants from plastic waste feedstock to transform it into “virgin-like” resin.

Milliken has formed a supply relationship with PureCycle to help solve the plastics end-of-life challenge. Nestlé is working with the company to develop new packaging materials that help avoid plastic waste, in line with its own commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

According to PureCycle, about 20% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is commonly used to make plastic bottles, is recycled. By contrast, less than 1% of polypropylene plastic is currently recycled. The firm is focusing on recycling polypropylene to make products such as food and beverage packaging, automobile interiors, electronics, and home furnishings

With technology licensed from P&G, PureCycle is building a new plant in Lawrence County, Ohio, that will recycle 119 million pounds of polypropylene, producing over 105 million pounds per year starting in 2021.

“These partners are helping us accelerate as we bring this solution to the market,” said Mike Otworth, CEO of PureCycle Technologies. “This is a validation of our method, and it will help us continue to move even more quickly as we make plastics recycling a reality.”

He added: “The use of Milliken’s additives will help to ensure that PureCycle’s Ultra Pure Recycled Polypropylene (UPRP) is of the highest quality and adds the maximum value to brand owners and consumers. We believe that this partnership will further differentiate PureCycle as both a leading reclaimer and producer of polypropylene.”

Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company, said: “Milliken understands that creating a sustainable future requires meaningful collaboration with other industry pioneers.

“We believe PureCycle’s technology combined with Milliken’s leading plastic additives provide a transformative opportunity to elevate the viability of recycled polypropylene and help solve the plastics end-of-life challenge.”

Earlier this year, Nestlé partnered with Danimer Scientific, a developer and manufacturer of biodegradable plastic products, to create new biodegradable water bottles.