Borouge International’s SYNDIGO1 Recycling Plant Secures APR and ISO Certifications

Borouge International said its SYNDIGO1 polyethylene mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, has obtained post-consumer recycled (PCR) certification from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and ISO 9001 certification, strengthening the company’s position in recycled polyethylene production for high-specification applications.

According to company reports, the SYNDIGO1 facility is operated through NOVA Chemicals Corporation, part of the newly established Borouge International platform formed earlier this year by ADNOC investment arm XRG and OMV. The group combines Borouge plc, Borealis GmbH and NOVA Chemicals into a single global polyolefins business focused on packaging, infrastructure and circular materials.

The APR PCR certification verifies that recycled polyethylene resin produced at the facility contains qualified post-consumer recycled content and meets traceability and quality requirements aligned with international standards. The certification process included supplier audits, sortation assessments, regulatory testing and verification of feedstock sourcing controls.

Borouge International said the certification is intended to provide customers with greater assurance over recycled content traceability, particularly as brand owners and packaging manufacturers face tighter reporting and recycled-content requirements.

The site also received ISO 9001 certification for its quality management systems, making it one of the first polyethylene recyclers in North America to achieve the standard, according to the company. ISO 9001 certification is often viewed as a foundation for food-grade production systems and regulatory compliance.

The company expects the facility to launch fully recycled linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) grades suitable for food-contact applications later this year. The site has already secured Letters of Non-Objection from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Canada’s Health Products Food Branch for food-contact recycled LLDPE applications.

“These certifications reflect the deliberate choices we’ve made to build recycling processes that operate with the same rigor and discipline as our virgin polyethylene business,” said Anna Rajkovic, Circular Economy Market Manager at NOVA Chemicals. “By combining mechanical recycling technology with comprehensive quality systems and full traceability, we are delivering recycled polyethylene that customers can rely on for performance and stewardship.”

The certifications add to the facility’s existing Recycled Material Standard certification from GreenBlue and are expected to support broader commercial adoption of recycled polyethylene in regulated packaging applications.

Demand for food-grade recycled polyolefins has been rising as consumer goods companies increase recycled-content targets and regulators in North America and Europe tighten packaging sustainability requirements. At the same time, recyclers are under growing pressure to demonstrate feedstock traceability and consistent material quality.

SYNDIGO1 represents part of Borouge International’s wider circularity strategy, which includes expanding recyclability-focused product design and increasing recycled resin production capacity alongside its virgin polyolefins business.

Source: Nova Chemicals

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Certifications tied to traceability and quality management are becoming increasingly important as recycled polyethylene moves into food-contact and high-performance packaging markets.