Amcor signs up for ExxonMobil recycled polyethylene

American-Australian global packaging giant Amcor has announced a five-year deal with ExxonMobil to purchase ‘circular’ polyethylene material in support of its target to achieve 30% recycled material across its portfolio by 2030.

The volume of material will increase incrementally each year and is expected to reach 100 000 tonnes annually by the end of the five-year period. Amcor intends to use the ExxonMobil polymer in its healthcare and food industries which require stringent safety requirements for recycled plastic.

The agreement expands upon Amcor’s initial purchase of polyethylene from ExxonMobil earlier this year.

Amcor is already delivering a variety of solutions containing recycled content to customers around the world, including Mondelez International which has switched to 30% food-grade recycled packaging for its Cadbury Dairy Milk, Caramilk and Old Gold family blocks in Australia.

Amcor has committed to make all its products recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025, with 74% of total production by weight already designed to be recycled.

Amcor ceo Ron Delia says: ‘We are committed to a future of more sustainable packaging and are excited to strengthen our ability to meet increasing customer demand for recycled content. We’re already working with major brands to support their sustainability ambitions and look forward to offering this innovative content across our global portfolio.’

Michael Zamora, senior vp of product solutions at ExxonMobil, adds: ‘Our expanded commitment will make our Exxtend technology for advanced recycling available to even more of Amcor’s customers across the globe, and represents an important step towards reaching our shared goal of helping to increase the amount of plastic waste that’s recycled.