Nova Chemicals Commissions Polyethylene Film Recycling Facility in US

Nova Chemicals held an opening event attended by company executives, local and state officials, and industry representatives. The ceremony marked the completion of 22 months of planning and construction, and the facility’s readiness for mechanical recycling of PE film and production of recycled PE.

“Our Syndigo1 facility is a tangible example of what motivation, collaboration, and market demand can do together,” commented Roger Kearns, CEO, Nova Chemicals. “At Nova, we have decades of experience in developing products that make our lives better. As of today, we’re not only a petrochemicals producer but also a recycler of polyethylene. We’re diverting plastic waste from landfills and turning it into new, quality products that help keep our food fresh or safely transport goods and materials to store shelves.”

In July 2023, Nova announced the intention to build the facility and work with Novolex to operate the facility, capitalizing on its nearly 20 years of experience in operating plastic film recycling facilities. In 2024, the facility’s mechanical recycling process received a first-of-its-kind Letter of Non-Objection (LNO) from the US Food and Drug Administration confirming its ability to produce post-consumer recycled linear, low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE) that is suitable for food-contact applications. In April 2025, the facility achieved the Recycled Material Standard certification from Green Blue, which verifies that the Syndigo recycled polyethylene produced at the facility is 100% post-consumer recycled content. Today, three of four lines are in operation, and the facility will be fully operational by the end of 2025.

Meeting Consumer Demand for Recycling

“There continues to be high interest from converters, retailers, and brand owners for recycled polyethylene, and our state-of-the-art facility accelerates our ability to meet this demand,” Kearns added. “We can leverage the latest technologies to ensure plastic film is recycled and re-used.”

Nova Chemicals is working with several leading manufacturers and distributors to incorporate recycled polyethylene into flexible packaging, including Charter Next Generation, M.Holland, Osterman & Company, Petoskey Plastics, PolyExpert, Pregis, Sigma Plastics Group, and Winpak. According to McKinsey, the demand for post-consumer recycled plastic will triple by 2030 to about 90 million tons. And, according to a recent Nova Chemicals survey, 75% of consumers agreed that companies should increase the use of packaging made from recycled materials.

Quality Feedstock and Reducing Plastic Waste

Syndigo1 in Connersville collects polyethylene film from major retailers and distribution centers across the US, averaging 400 bales daily. The facility processes this plastic film into recycled polyethylene pellets, marketed as NOVA Chemicals’ Syndigo rLLDPE, which can be used in various packaging applications, including those requiring FDA compliance for food contact.