Dow and Enka Collaborate to Foster Circular Economy with Sustainable Packaging

Colombia: Enka, a prominent PET bottle recycling company in Colombia with a passion for circular economy and innovation, has joined forces with Dow, a leading materials science expert with a strong focus on sustainability and plastic circularity strategy, to develop sustainable packaging under the REVOLOOPTM brand. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE or HDPE) PCR resin will be manufactured using advanced technology from recycled bottle caps and labels, along with a specially formulated process developed by Dow. After successful trials with multiple clients, the companies have announced a three-year supply agreement to produce revolutionary recycled post-consumer resin PCR (Post Consumer Resin) that will transform the Colombian market.

Enka and Dow's partnership will enable the creation of sustainable packaging using REVOLOOPTM brand high-density polyethylene (HDPE or HDPE) PCR resin, transformed by Enka using the latest technology from recycled bottle caps and labels, and formulated by Dow. This innovative RESOLOOPTM resin is ideal for high-performance flexible packaging applications, particularly for household care and cleaning product brands. The development marks a significant milestone in driving the plastic recycling sector in Colombia and promoting circularity processes to produce new and sustainable packaging. The alliance is expected to reduce nearly 2,500 tons of plastic waste generated annually in the country. Using post-consumer resin rather than virgin materials has enormous environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon footprint, water consumption, and energy usage.

The company aims to establish circular models, allowing more firms to integrate these benefits into their value chain with the introduction of their new PCR resin. Dow and Enka, as leaders in the packaging and recycling industry, endeavour to collaborate closely with all parties involved in the chain, such as recycling associations, recyclers, NGOs, and government. This collaboration ensures the scalability of these projects.

By collaborating and sharing knowledge, aim is to enhance the living conditions of thousands of Colombian families. Enka boasts the largest PET bottle collection network in Colombia, encompassing 30 departments and over 900 municipalities. The production of PCR resin and the establishment of the new Bottle-to-Bottle PET recycling plant, one of the world's largest facilities, will inevitably have a positive impact on improving and promoting recycling and source separation more broadly. According to Alvaro Hincapie, Enka's President, this partnership with Dow is a significant technological breakthrough and has far-reaching social and sustainability implications.

Dow is collaborating with partners who possess significant experience in the waste and recycling industries to amplify its REVOLOOPTM family of post-consumer recycled plastics globally and in Latin America. Enka, renowned for having Colombia's most exceptional recycling technology, was the perfect partner for a long-term alliance that resulted in the development of an excellent product. Strengthening partnerships within the value chain leads to the most significant progress in plastic circularity. We promote the conversion of waste into valuable materials through innovation and collaboration. Maria Paulina Sandoval, Sustainability Manager for Dow in the region, believes that recycling and the circular economy can continue to grow and become more prominent in Colombia and the surrounding areas with Enka's support.