The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a letter of no objection for Revolution’s proprietary recycling method to produce post-consumer recycled, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE PCR) made from recycled stretch film for food applications.

Revolution is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has a strong North Texas presence, including corporate offices in Flower Mound and a manufacturing facility in Mesquite.

The FDA issued a letter of no objection in lieu of approval, certifying that the collection, cleaning, and processing of the post-consumer materials meets its standards for food-safe plastics.

Revolution says the introduction of clear food grade LLDPE PCR “will boost innovations in recycled packaging.”

Revolution CEO Sean Whiteley takes pride in his company’s rigor in producing the “highest quality, food-grade LLDPE PCR available on the market.”

In a statement, he said Revolution’s expansion into clear PCR helps “demonstrate what’s possible for the future of stretch film and other plastics,” and show how recycled materials can effectively provide “sustainable solutions.”

According to Revolution, the clear PCR produced under its process can be used at recycled content levels up to 100% in the manufacture of food contact articles for all dry and wet, raw, and processed foods. That includes fats and oil, dairy, beverages, aqueous products and all types of dry solids for hot/boiling, frozen, refrigerated, and room temperature conditions.

Revolution said that’s the broadest conditions of use in the industry for LLDPE PCR. The letter of no objection is the latest milestone from Revolution’s ongoing work to bring recycled material innovations to the food packaging sector, the company said.

Sustainable plastic solutions

In January 2022, Revolution strengthened its brand by uniting all its business units under the Revolution name globally.

Revolution said that the food grade-quality PCR stems from its proprietary Sustainable Loop mechanical recycling method that previously received a letter of no objection in 2021 for white LLDPE PCR processed from agricultural polyethylene tubing using the same approach.

The company added that both clear and white LLDPE PCR offers converters and brands a needed, viable recycled resin for flexible film food packaging applications such as stand-up pouches and frozen food bags.

Brands and retailers are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve ESG goals to meet the growing demand for sustainability from consumers and regulatory agencies, Revolution noted. It said this latest breakthrough paves the way for sustainable plastic solutions that can impact targets noted by consortiums such as the U.S. Plastics Pact and its Roadmap to 2025.

A founding activator of the U.S. Plastics Pact, Revolution said it shares the vision to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. It said that gaining the letter of no objection for both clear and white LLDPE PCR resins could be instrumental in helping partners achieve the pact’s goals.

In February, Revolution announced a partnership with Charter Next Generation (CNG), a leading producer of high-performance specialty films used in flexible packaging and other end-use markets, to help with the introduction of food grade LLDPE PCR into their product portfolio.

CNG, along with other industry leaders such as Pregis, Berry Global, and SEE (formerly Sealed Air) currently offer Revolution’s line of PCR resins in their flexible film products, the company said.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.