INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe is to work with French dairy group Lactel to produce the first HDPE milk bottles from chemical recycling.
Using chemical recycling technology, INEOS will take post-consumer plastics and return them to their basic molecules, before turning them into UHT milk bottles made from HDPE.
Lactel France general manager Anne Charles-Pinault said: “This trial production of 140,000 milk bottles, based on HDPE from advanced recycling technology, is a world first and major step forward for Lactel towards a circular economy.
“This new innovative product will be used in the Montauban production plant for an initial production run. At Lactel, we are extremely excited to bring this new environmental innovation to our iconic milk bottles.”
INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe/South chief executive Xavi Cros said: “INEOS is very pleased to progress this partnership with Lactel. Both companies are committed to sustainability and, via advanced recycling, we are able to supply virgin quality polymer from recycled plastic that is ideal for even the most demanding food contact applications like milk. Another big step in the right direction.”
