Amcor has secured RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification (EN15343) across a range of flexible packaging products manufactured at its UK sites in Ardeer, Bromborough and Winsford, covering materials that incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.
The certified portfolio includes NorDiVent, ventilated form-fill-seal (FFS) films for cement, powdered building materials, chemicals and minerals, as well as shrink films, stretch hood films for pallet protection, and a range of FFS and flat films containing PCR.
The certification comes ahead of changes to the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), due to take effect in April next year. Under the revised rules, only PCR material will be eligible for inclusion in the 30 per cent recycled content threshold required for tax exemption, while post-industrial (PIR) and pre-consumer recycled content will no longer be accepted.
RecyClass is a cross-industry initiative that advances plastic packaging recyclability, with certification ensuring recycled content is independently audited, fully traceable throughout the production process and aligned with recognised European standards.
Amcor says the accreditation confirms the integrity, consistency, transparency, traceability and accurate accounting of its PCR content, which it says will give customers confidence that the packaging they are buying can support certification of sustainability-related claims as regulations evolve.
Mike Baxter, director, government relations UK & recycling at Amcor, said third-party accreditation is becoming increasingly important as requirements tighten.
“As the use of recycled material increases across Europe, and regulations and specifications are further tightened, third-party accreditation will play a vital role in ensuring the necessary transparency and consistency,” he said.
“This is why we are certifying both our sites and our products through recognised and respected bodies, such as RecyClass.”
Alongside its UK operations, Amcor’s facilities in Steinfeld, Hardenberg, Roeselare and Zele, and Zdzieszowice offer RecyClass accreditation for selected products, supporting what the company describes as a consistent pan-European approach for international customers.
Amcor says its integrated recycling operations across the UK and Europe bring together recycling, material development and packaging production to support the scaling of PCR solutions across industrial and secondary flexible packaging.
Baxter said transparent and verifiable supply chains are essential to maintaining product integrity and supporting compliance.
“Transparent, verifiable supply chains are essential to maintaining product integrity. The availability of high-quality circular resins is critical to companies as they seek to introduce more sustainable packaging to satisfy legislative requirements and consumer expectations,” he said.
“RecyClass accreditation provides independent assurance of traceability and accurate accounting, supporting customers as they navigate import requirements, mitigate the risk of fraudulent claims and maintain confidence in the claims they make to their own stakeholders.”
