PureCycle Technologies is advancing the future of sustainable packaging with a strategic partnership that could unlock one of the toughest frontiers in recycled plastics: biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.

 

The U.S.-based recycling innovator has joined forces with RM TOHCELLO Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest producers of BOPP film, alongside Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a global trading and investment company that collaborates with PureCycle. 

 

The partnership represents a major step toward bringing recycled content into high-performance packaging applications where it has historically been nearly impossible to achieve.

 

BOPP film has long been considered one of the most challenging plastic applications for recycled material because it requires exceptional purity, clarity, and consistency. PureCycle and its partners are now demonstrating that advanced recycling technology can overcome those barriers.

 

The collaboration began in Q1 2023, when RM TOHCELLO tested initial samples of PureFive resin supplied by PureCycle and Mitsui. 

 

The trials delivered promising results, leading to successful pilot-scale production runs. The companies are now preparing to introduce the materials to converters and brand owners across Japan, with a formal commercial agreement expected in 2027 and shipments to follow pending compliance with import regulations.

 

"This partnership represents exactly the kind of step-change we envisioned when PureCycle's technology was developed. We’re unlocking an entire segment of applications where recycled content had been locked out,” said Wiebe Schipper, PureCycle VP of European and Asia Pacific Operations. 

 

“The fact that we have now successfully completed trials with one of the world's premier film producers is a powerful validation of what our resin can do. We are energized by what this means for our customers, for brand owners, and for the future of sustainable packaging."

 

BOPP film is widely used in food packaging, labels, and consumer products — markets where appearance, durability, and performance are critical. Traditional mechanical recycling has struggled to meet the strict quality standards required for these applications, preventing recycled polypropylene from entering one of packaging’s most valuable segments.

 

“Flexible films are one of the fastest growing segments in packaging and we’ve been waiting for a solution like PureCycle’s to allow us to start using recycled content in BOPP film and PP sealant film,” said Masaru Furukawa, RM TOHCELLO Executive Officer, Head, Business Sector. 

 

“We believe these innovative films can help transform post-consumer waste into materials contributing to GHG-emission avoidance. We would like to promote application developments with our value chain partners.”