Expanded Polystyrene Industry Commits $185 Million Investment in Sustainable Resin Technologies

North American manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) resin have made a substantial investment of over $185 million in cutting-edge technologies aimed at producing recycled content EPS feedstock. This strategic move represents a significant step forward in enhancing sustainability practices across various industries. Companies such as RAPAC, Epsilyte, Styropek, Nexkemia, and BASF have worked diligently to develop distinctive formulations that allow for the inclusion of at least 30% recycled content in the manufacturing of a wide range of applications, utilizing a staggering 79 million pounds of online capacity.

These innovative products have the potential to transform industries as they offer enhanced environmental benefits. Some of the products have received third-party certifications, and others are currently undergoing testing to incorporate traceability technology for future formula iterations. With an additional 150 million pounds of capacity anticipated for the near future, EPS molders are gearing up to enter the market through product trials featuring recycled content resin. These initiatives are expected to be implemented by around 2024.

Recycled content EPS has been technically feasible for some time, but widespread adoption has been hindered by a lack of enthusiasm among end-users. However, mounting pressure from governments, which have been imposing stricter policy recommendations, has spurred the private sector to reevaluate their recycled content capabilities.

David Wilson, the Purchasing Manager at RAPAC, expressed enthusiasm about the surging global demand for recycled content resins, highlighting the remarkable technological advancements observed across different industries. He noted the green building sector's embrace of recycled content resin for insulation, offering an eco-conscious solution without compromising quality. With a promising growth forecast, recycled content resins are making a significant contribution to sustainability on a global scale.

Betsy Bowers, the Executive Director of the EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA), the leading North American trade association for the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry, emphasized the potential impact of recycled content resin. She asserted that this new product offering has the potential to be a game-changer for the EPS industry, dispelling long-standing misconceptions about EPS recycling. EPS recycling already boasts a strong track record, which is now poised for further expansion.

In March 2022, at the UN Environment Assembly, a historic resolution was adopted, paving the way for the development of an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. Such a treaty could have a global impact on the everyday products used by consumers and manufacturers alike. The UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), tasked with crafting the treaty, is set to hold its third session (INC-3) from November 13 to 19, 2023, at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. This development underscores the growing international focus on addressing plastic pollution and its associated environmental challenges.