Creating flexible packaging with high recycled content is a significant technical challenge—but Borealis succeeded with Borcycle™ CWT120CL. Designed for demanding non-food flexible packaging applications, this recycled linear low density polyethylene (rLLDPE) contains an impressive 85% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

The grade is part of Borealis’ Borcycle™ M portfolio—a range of mechanically recycled polyolefins made from post-consumer waste. These materials combine a reduced carbon footprint with reliable performance, making them suitable replacements for virgin polyolefins in many applications.

High-purity recyclates that deliver stretch, strength, and sustainability

Borcycle CWT120CL was developed in collaboration with Ecoplast, a member of the Borealis Group. Production takes place at Ecoplast’s site in Wildon, Austria, using Erema’s Intarema® extrusion system.

Erema is a global leader in plastics recycling systems. Their advanced setup combines the Preconditioning Unit (PCU) including the patented Counter Current technology, patented laser filter and double filtration technology, as well as double degassing to effectively remove impurities. The resulting pellets meet the high purity and consistency requirements needed to produce advanced rLLDPE grades, such as Borcycle CWT120CL.

Erema’s technology also enables up to 12% lower energy consumption, further reducing environmental impact.

“At Erema, our mission is to make plastics recycling as innovative and efficient as possible. We’re proud that our technology has enabled this step toward circularity in demanding flexible packaging applications,” said Clemens Kitzberger, Business Development Manager, Post Consumer Recycling at the EREMA Group.

Helping customers prepare for PPWR

Borcycle CWT120CL is a solution that helps customers improve the sustainability of products such as stretch film, stretch hoods, and other protective and agricultural films. It was developed as a direct response to the need for high-performance recycled content solutions that support ambitious sustainability targets. That includes the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which introduces mandatory recycled content levels for plastic packaging from 2030.

“This is how we bring our We4Customers strategy to life—with high-performance materials that meet our customers’ most demanding requirements. Borcycle CWT120CL represents a significant technical achievement, made possible by our expertise, Ecoplast’s capabilities, and Erema’s advanced technology,” Peter Voortmans, Borealis Vice President Marketing, Consumer Products.