For the first time, Dow’s Agility CE resin, made with 70% recycled plastic is has been selected for a large-scale commercial application. Plastigaur, a leading film converter based in Spain, is using the Agility CE resin in its collation shrink film, typically used in the transportation of cans or PET bottles.
Initially introduced in late 2019, Agility CE is the first PCR product offering from Dow. The resin is based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into which post-consumer recycled (PCR) material from shrink film is incorporated without compromising on either material quality or functionality in the final application.
The PCR content in the final shrink film developed by Plastigaur is 50%, providing a 25% reduction in carbon emissions of 25% compared to traditional stretch film. While integrating recycled materials can be a challenge, Plastigaur is proud of the results. “They bring us, and the brand owners, closer to reaching our sustainability goals” said managing director Luis Artola.
Dow has also worked with Plastigaur to reduce the thickness of this PCR-containing shrink film from 45 to 40 microns. Decreasing the thickness while maintaining the packaging functionality, reduces the film’s overall environmental impact by 32%.
The commercial use of Agility CE marks an important step, as Dow continues to work towards its ambition to advance a circular economy for plastics.
“This is not a concept or a project anymore, this is reality,” saidAgnieszka Godlewska, Marketing Manager Industrial & Consumer Packaging at Dow. “By working in close partnership with Plastigaur, we’ve been able to accelerate our innovative PCR product offering, demonstrating a commercially viable solution that uses high-quality packaging made from recycled content.“