Chemicals and plastic resins producer Nova Chemicals (Calgary, Alberta / Canada; www.novachem.com) has announced a long-term agreement with materials re-processor Merlin Plastics (Vancouver, British Columbia / Canada; www.merlinplastics.com) to increase the supply and quality of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) post-consumer recyclate (PCR). The partnership, which marks the entry into the recyclate market for Nova Chemicals, will turn rHDPE into resin for use in everyday products and packaging including food applications. The collaboration will also advance the company’s drive toward a circular economy, Nova president and CEO Luis Sierra said. Most rPE is used in non-food applications.

Nova Chemicals said it is financing a multi-million dollar project to accelerate Merlin’s expansion into PCR processing for food contact applications. The funding is designed to expand equipment at Merlin’s processing plant in Delta, British Columbia. Merlin operates a container sortation plant in Gifford, British Columbia, that collects materials from curbside programmes in the province and the Pacific Northwest. The investment will be used to create a reliable supply of PCR for Nova Chemicals, which plans to offer 100% PE recyclate as well as PCR blended with virgin LLDPE, LDPE and HDPE grades in commercial quantities beginning in 2021.