By 2030, our goal is to have 30% of our total polyethylene sales come from recycled content. To accomplish this, we need to expand our recycling operations to build a supply chain of high quality recyclate by following the plans and strategies we’ve laid out in the 2030 Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership. In July 2023, we took a major step toward meeting our goal by investing in our first mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana. “We are committed to helping our customers achieve their recycled content goals through a variety of business models and we look forward to making more announcements like this as we work to enable a low-carbon, zero plastic waste future,” said NOVA Chemicals President and CEO, Roger Kearns.
The facility will process post-consumer plastic films to make our SYNDIGO™ recycled polyethylene (rPE), scaling up to commercial quantities in 2025 and reaching over 100 million pounds of rPE by 2026. It will employ approximately 125 people and be one of Connersville’s largest private employers. The facility is strategically located to take advantage of the abundant feedstock supply of post-consumer films from nearby metropolitan areas in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. It is also close to rail service for easy distribution of SYNDIGO™ rPE across the country.
Novolex Holdings, LLC, a developer of foodservice and industrial packaging products, will operate the facility. They have worked with plastic film recycling facilities for more than 15 years and will use their experience to help NOVA Chemicals quickly ramp up our supply of SYNDIGO™ rPE. “The new plant will build on our experience of operating both our North Vernon plastics recycling facility in Indiana and our recycling plant in Wisconsin as well as accelerate our commitment to support recycling and the circular economy,” said Novolex Chairman and CEO, Stanley Bikulege.
The state of Indiana has been welcoming to businesses and start-ups focused on sustainability innovation. “We are excited to welcome NOVA Chemicals and Novolex to Indiana and our East Central community,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “This investment is a testament to Indiana’s pro-growth business climate and our skilled Hoosier workforce, and we look forward to partnering with both companies to create new career opportunities and support the circular economy for years to come.”
NOVA Chemicals is leading the effort to build a plastics circular economy by expanding our sustainable product offerings and building a robust mechanical recycling business while also exploring advanced recycling technologies. “This project with Novolex and the State of Indiana is yet another example of how NOVA Chemicals is working to find collaborative ways to recapture the value of plastic materials and use them again and again,” said Greg DeKunder, Vice President, NOVA Circular Solutions. As we reshape plastics for a more sustainable world, we will continue to use our operations to bolster the North American circular economy, keep people healthy and safe and establish a lower-carbon production model across the value chain.