Amcor has obtained RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification in accordance with EN15343 for selected flexible products manufactured at the company’s UK sites in Ardeer, Bromborough and Winsford. The scope of the certification includes, among others, ventilated form-fill-seal films from the NorDivent range, intended for packaging cement, dry bulk building materials, chemicals and minerals, as well as shrink films and stretch hood films for pallet protection, and various types of FFS films and flat films containing post-consumer recycled plastic, PCR. This information is particularly significant in connection with the planned change to the UK Plastic Packaging Tax, PPT, which will take effect from April next year. From that point, only PCR material will count toward the required threshold of 30% recycled content that qualifies for exemption from the tax. Post-industrial recycled material, PIR, and pre-consumer recycled material will no longer be recognised for meeting this criterion.
RecyClass is a cross-industry initiative supporting the recyclability of plastic packaging. The system is intended to provide independent auditing of recycled content, full traceability throughout the production process, and compliance with recognised European standards. According to Amcor, the independent accreditation confirms the reliability, consistency, transparency, traceability and proper accounting of the PCR share in the materials it offers. This is intended to give customers greater confidence that the packaging they purchase can support the substantiation of sustainability-related claims in a changing regulatory environment.
Mike Baxter, Director, Government Relations UK & Recycling at Amcor, said: “As the use of recycled materials increases across Europe and regulations and specifications continue to tighten, third-party accreditation will play a key role in ensuring the necessary transparency and consistency. That is why we certify both our sites and our products through recognised and respected bodies such as RecyClass.”
Broader certification coverage in Europe
In addition to the UK sites, Amcor facilities in Steinfeld, Germany; Hardenberg, the Netherlands; Roeselare and Zele, Belgium; and Zdzieszowice, Poland, also offer RecyClass accreditation for selected products. According to the company, this is intended to support a consistent pan-European approach for international customers.
Amcor also emphasises that, through its integrated recycling operations in the UK and Europe, it combines recycling, material development and packaging production in order to scale up PCR-based solutions in industrial and secondary flexible packaging.
Mike Baxter added: “Transparent, verifiable supply chains are essential to maintaining product integrity. The availability of high-quality circular resins is critical for companies seeking to introduce more sustainable packaging in order to meet legislative requirements and consumer expectations.”
As the Amcor representative noted, “RecyClass accreditation provides independent confirmation of traceability and proper accounting, helping customers navigate import requirements, reduce the risk of misleading claims, and maintain confidence in the claims presented to their own stakeholders.”
