Dow (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) has introduced a new range of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins currently available in Asia and Europe. The recycled polymers are designed for the production of packaging materials, from mechanically recycled plastic packaging waste, as well as to help incorporate recycled content into products.

The PCR resins provide performance comparable to packaging made with virgin polymers, says Dow, and can be used in collation shrink film or in rigid packaging such as bottles. “Dow’s new recycled plastic resin represents another advancement in our commitment to work with our customers to stop plastic waste from entering the environment and to drive circular economy solutions,” said Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics president Diego Donoso.

Dow recently announced sustainability targets that include commitments to help 1m t of plastics to be collected, reused or recycled by 2030 and have 100% of its products sold into packaging applications be reusable or recyclable by 2035. The company also aims to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2050. By collaborating with industry partners, recyclers and waste management companies, the US chemical group is also planning to increase the value of plastics waste by developing recycled applications of higher value, such as high-performance materials.