SABIC, a global chemical industry leader, has announced the successful launch of another project as part of its TRUCIRCLE™ program, which aims to promote a circular plastic economy. Italian pasta manufacturer Garofalo has introduced a new packaging solution made using SABIC’s certified circular polypropylene (PP). The sustainable material is derived from advanced recycling and transformed into a Biaxially Oriented PolyPropylene (BOPP) film, making it the first pasta packaging in the market to contain 30 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. The new pasta bags made from this packaging were introduced to Italian stores in March 2023.
The PCR content in the bags is derived from post-consumer plastics, which undergo an advanced recycling process to produce pyrolysis oil. SABIC utilizes this pyrolysis oil to produce new polymers with the same specifications as virgin plastics. Portuguese manufacturer Polivouga, known for producing flexible films for packaging products, employs SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio’s PP 525PC grade to create the BOPP film for the pasta packaging. GT Polifilm, specializing in polypropylene products for automated packaging, combines a cast PP film with the BOPP film to form a mono-material structure, which is then converted into customized pasta bags. These mono-PP bags can be easily recycled in existing PP waste streams.
Abdullah Al-Otaibi, General Manager of ETP & Market Solutions at SABIC, emphasized the importance of collaboration within the material value chain for long-term success. SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE program aims to drive innovative business models and transform the industry from linear to circular, preventing the wastage of valuable end-of-life plastic materials. The project demonstrates the potential of post-consumer plastic recycling and sustainability when all stakeholders work together.
SABIC’s circular materials are produced using a mass balance accounting scheme, following the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS program’s rules for tracking material flow across complex supply chains.
Dr. Sergio De Gennaro, Quality Assurance Manager at Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, stated that the introduction of the recycled pasta packaging marked an important step forward for the company’s commitment to quality and environmental compatibility. The packaging aligns with sustainable initiatives and meets consumer expectations by being made with recycled content and fully recyclable.
Flexible mono-material packaging with PCR content is considered a more sustainable option compared to paper/plastic combinations or laminates, which are harder to recycle and have a larger carbon footprint. This solution is gaining support from brand owners, retailers, EU authorities, and NGOs.
Ragionier Talamo, Sole Director at GT Polifilm, emphasized their focus on developing economically viable and sustainable packaging solutions to reduce food and plastic waste. Incorporating recycled content has been a key area of their work, contributing to the circular economy and promoting recycling into new packaging products.
Tiago Barros, Executive Manager at Polivouga, expressed their commitment to turning sustainability goals into reality and highlighted the collaboration with SABIC as an opportunity to contribute to the circularity of plastics in BOPP films. The project showcases the feasibility of reusing plastic waste in safe, food-grade packaging, preventing its value from being lost to landfill or incineration.
SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services offer a range of circular solutions, including certified circular polymers, design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified renewable polymers, and closed-loop initiatives. These initiatives aim to recycle plastic back into high-quality applications, ensuring valuable used plastics are not wasted.