Nova receives FDA letter of non-objection for its recycling process at Indiana Facility

NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced it has received a Letter of Non Objection (LNO) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirming the capability of its mechanical recycling process in Connersville, Ind., to produce post-consumer recycled linear, low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE) material that is suitable for broad food-contact applications.

The rLLDPE will be sold under the brand name SYNDIGO™ and will become NOVA’s second food-compliant recycled polyethylene (rPE). rPE enables converters and brand owners to incorporate recycled materials into food and non-food packaging products.

“This is a significant milestone on our journey to circularity and lays the foundation for NOVA Circular Solutions to be the first to market with broad food-contact compliant rLLDPE made from consumer and retail plastic film in 2025,” said Greg DeKunder, vice president, NOVA Circular Solutions. 

Customers will be able to use NOVA’s rLLDPE at up to 100 percent recycled content for the manufacture of food packaging intended to contact all food types under Conditions of Use (COU) B through H. rLLDPE is one of the most commonly used materials for flexible food packaging and can be used for the full scope of applications including pantry staples, refrigerator items, and freezer packaging. There is high interest from converters, retailers, and brand owners for rPE. McKinsey estimates that the demand for post-consumer recycled plastic will triple by 2030 to about 90 million tons.

NOVA Chemicals invested in its first mechanical recycling facility in Indiana to increase the supply of high-quality, recycled polyethylene resins. Construction is underway and operations are expected to begin in early 2025. Once fully operational in early 2026, the NOVA Chemicals’ Circular Solutions facility will produce more than 100 M lbs. of SYNDIGO rPE for non-food and broad use food contact.