Large and small consumer brands are partnering with many different stakeholders in the flexible packaging ecosystem with the express goal of finding supply chains of recycled content for the near future. The themes that appear to be emerging for 2022 are strategies for scale for mechanical recyclers, upstart advanced recycling companies and advanced sorting technologies to meet future demand.
The last three years have seen many advancements in packaging waste recycling — down cycling and more efficient sorting at material recycling facilities — but global brands in 2022 are seeking and looking to cement dependable supply chains of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content to meet 2025 goals. Market action for recycled content in Europe is accelerating and advanced recycling developments are ramping up in the U.S., so what’s in store for 2022 in the packaging segment?