Amcor Secures UN Certification for PCR-Based Industrial Containers in Europe

Photo Credit: Amcor

Amcor has obtained United Nations certification for two industrial container formats produced with 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, marking a step toward integrating recycled content into packaging designed for hazardous materials. 

The approval applies to 5.5-liter and 5.8-liter containers manufactured at the company’s facility in Pamplona, Spain, according to company reporting, and allows the packaging to be used for transporting and storing certain solid and powdered hazardous goods.

UN-approved packaging is designed to reduce the risk of leaks and exposure during storage and transport, protecting workers, infrastructure and the environment. Amcor said the containers meet these requirements when used with a 40-micron internal low-density polyethylene liner, forming a system suitable for sectors such as chemicals, medical waste management and automotive materials handling. The company expects demand particularly from suppliers of swimming pool treatment chemicals, a segment that relies heavily on rigid plastic packaging.

Across Europe, regulators and manufacturers are under pressure to increase recycled content in packaging as the European Union advances its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. 

The proposal is expected to introduce stricter recycling and reuse targets while encouraging the wider use of secondary raw materials. Analysts say industrial packaging, traditionally dependent on virgin polymers due to performance and safety requirements, represents one of the more difficult segments for recycled material adoption.

Amcor’s Pamplona plant holds RecyClass certification, as do several of the company’s other European facilities in France and Poland. The certification allows non-food packaging produced at those sites to carry RecyClass labeling verifying recyclability and the use of recycled plastics, a feature brand owners increasingly request as sustainability reporting requirements expand.

Ignacio Igea, sales director for industrial packaging in Spain, Portugal and Italy at Amcor Rigid Packaging Solutions International, said the certification demonstrates that recycled content can be incorporated into industrial containers without compromising performance. Industry observers note that achieving UN compliance with PCR-based materials has been a technical challenge because hazardous goods packaging must meet strict strength and durability standards.

The newly certified containers include Amcor’s SuperLift Extra and SuperFlex designs, both engineered to balance durability with lightweight construction for handling and transport. The containers are designed to optimize storage efficiency and reduce operational noise during filling, while offering branding and labeling options for manufacturers. The SuperFlex version can also be equipped with a child-resistant lid intended to prevent access by young children while remaining accessible for adults.

Further adoption of PCR-based containers may depend on the availability of high-quality recycled resin and continued regulatory support. Analysts say demand for such solutions is likely to grow as chemical producers and industrial manufacturers seek packaging that aligns with both safety standards and sustainability commitments.

Source: Amcor

SUNSHINE Spotlight: UN certification for PCR-based industrial containers signals growing progress in combining recycled plastics with the strict safety standards required for hazardous goods packaging.