NEWS


Eastman loses site


funding The US government has pulled US$375 million of funding for Eastman’s planned chemical recycling plant in Texas. It is one of 24 grants – issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstra- tions (OCED) and totalling around US$3.7 billion – to be cancelled. However, Eastman


remained confident that the project could still go ahead. “We remain confident in this innovative project,” said the company in a statement. “The grant allowed us


to expand the scope to drive further decarbonisa- tion. If we cannot get it reinstated, we will evaluate potential changes to the project scope and timeline,” it said. Eastman already has a ‘molecular plastic recy- cling’ facility that opened in Kingsport, Texas in 2024.


It says the new plant would have created around 200 jobs. � www.eastman.com


Nova starts work on LLDPE recycling plant


Nova Chemicals has commissioned its first polyethylene (PE) film recycling facility – in Con- nersville, Indiana. The facility, called


Syndigo1, covers 450,000 sq ft and will mechanically recycle 145,000 bales of end-of-life plastic film into more than 45,000 tonnes of recycled LLDPE that is suitable for food- and non-food grade packaging applications. Full production is


expected by early 2026. “As of today, we’re not


only a petrochemicals producer but also a recycler of polyethylene,” said Roger Kearns, CEO of Nova. “We can use the latest technolo- gies to ensure plastic film is recycled and re-used.” Nova is working with


several manufacturers and distributors – including Charter Next Generation, Petoskey Plastics and Pregis – to incorporate recycled PE into flexible packaging. According to McKinsey, demand for PCR plastic will triple by 2030 to about 90 million tonnes, says Nova.


The plant works with


retailers and distribution centres across the country to collect ‘back-of-store’ PE film which provides clean, consistent feedstock for recycled PE. It will collect around 400 bales of film each day – or 14,000 per month. Film waste will be


processed into pellets and sold as Nova’s Syndigo rLLDPE, which is suitable for applications from trash can liners to food packaging, said the company. � www.novachem.com


Sales and profits up at Cosmo


India-based Cosmo First saw a rise in both sales and profits in its latest financial year. For the year ended 31


March 2025, the company posted a 12% increase in sales – to around Rs29 billion (around US$338 million). At the same time, profitability (EBITDA) surged 44% to around Rs3.6bn (around US$42m). In the final quarter of the


financial year, sales rose by 16% – and EBITDA by 27%. The improvement in


profit was down to higher sales of speciality film, and improved BOPP and BOPET margins, said the company. A cast polypropylene (CPP) line, with an annual capacity of 22, 000 tonnes, began operations in March 2025. It has also invested in a new 81,000 tonnes/year BOPP line, which is expect-


ed to start operations early next year.


“Our focus will be to


leverage the new invest- ments, grow speciality film sales, expand internationally and push down costs,” said Pankaj Poddar, group CEO of Cosmo First. “The new film lines are the most cost-efficient and should make Cosmo more competi- tive in the market.” � www.cosmofilms.com


Nelipak expands production in Costa Rica


US-based Nelipak is to establish a new packaging production site in Costa Rica. The site, expected to open by mid-2026, will expand Nelipak’s capacity in Costa Rica – where it has operated since 2012, providing thermoformed trays for the medical device industry. “Costa Rica is a significant hub for


6 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | June 2025


medical device manufacturing and this shows our commitment to serve customers in the region,” said Pat Chambliss, CEO of Nelipak. The site, in Costa Rica Green Valley, will include a 60,000 sq ft new con- struction Class-A industrial building. It will be ISO 13485 certified and include ISO-7 cleanroom manufacturing. The


site will also allow for future building expansion to meet capacity and capability expansion requirements. Production capabilities include thin-gauge thermoforming – for medical device trays and blisters – and heavy-gauge thermoforming for deep draw tubs and trays. � www.nelipak.com


www.filmandsheet.com


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