PureCycle Technologies, a U.S.-based company revolutionizing plastic recycling, and TOPPAN, a global leader in packaging solutions, today announced a partnership to advance sustainability in flexible films and thermoformed packaging applications. The collaboration addresses growing brand owner demand for high-quality recycled content to meet emerging regulatory requirements worldwide.
Through this partnership, PureCycle and TOPPAN have successfully developed and produced a snack bar wrapper containing more than 30% recycled content, demonstrating the performance capabilities of PureCycle’s PureFive® resin in demanding flexible packaging applications. The wrapper showcases the printability and functionality needed by the world’s leading snack brands while significantly reducing environmental impact.
“The path forward for flexible packaging sustainability is one where food safety, regulatory compliance, performance, and environmental responsibility advance together, not in competition with one another,” said Astrid Torres, Senior Sustainability Manager, TOPPAN Packaging Americas. “Through our partnership with PureCycle, we’re advancing solutions that foster a society focused on well-being and sustainability while safeguarding our planet for future generations. The snack bar wrapper we’ve developed showcases the printability and performance that leading brands demand, while incorporating meaningful recycled content. This is exactly the kind of packaging innovation needed to build a truly circular economy.”
Building on this success, the companies are now targeting multiple thermoforming applications where major brand owners are seeking recycled content solutions to comply with upcoming mandates. PureCycle’s portfolio of PureFive® resin includes multiple grades that have been specifically designed for thermoformed applications including snack cups, microwaveable containers, and other food-contact packaging formats.
“At TOPPAN, we are committed to supporting brand owners meeting their recycled content goals without compromising on safety or performance,” said Glenn Jordan, Director of R&D – Thermoforming, TOPPAN Packaging Americas. “Our collaboration with PureCycle demonstrates how innovative partnerships can deliver commercially viable packaging that addresses both regulatory requirements and brand expectations.”
PureCycle’s innovative dissolution recycling process transforms post-consumer polypropylene packaging into virgin-like PureFive® resin, removing colors, odors, additives, and contaminants that limit traditionally recycled material. The resulting resin meets FDA standards for food-contact applications and performs similarly to virgin resin, enabling seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes.
“Our partnership with TOPPAN exemplifies the power of collaboration in solving the packaging industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges,” said Pete Dias, Senior Director of Market, Application & Product Development, PureCycle Technologies. “TOPPAN’s expertise in both flexible and thermoformed packaging, combined with our high-quality recycled resin, enables brand owners to meet their sustainability commitments without compromising on quality, safety, or performance. Together, we’re proving that premium packaging performance can be achieved using recycled content.”
