Nexam Chemical’s additives enable upcycling of recycled HDPE
02/10/2025
New research from Politecnico di Torino, published in the well-renowned journal Polymers, demonstrates how Nexam Chemical’s Reactive Recycling™ technology enables recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to meet the demands of high-performance applications. By enhancing the material’s melt strength, the technology opens up new possibilities for recycled HDPE in film blowing, fiber production, and extrusion blow molding, making it viable for industries such as packaging, textiles, and automotive.
The study highlights that Nexamite® R305, Nexam Chemical’s proprietary additive, effectively counteracts thermomechanical degradation during mechanical recycling. By modifying the polymer’s microstructure to introduce long-chain branching, it significantly improves processability. This structural enhancement allows the recycled material to be used in applications where high melt strength is essential. The research further demonstrates a remarkable improvement in ductility, with fibers containing Nexamite® R305 achieving an elongation at break of 350%—a major advancement compared to untreated recycled HDPE.
“This study reinforces the value our additive technology brings to customers looking to enhance the performance of recycled HDPE in demanding applications,” says Christer Svanberg, CTO at Nexam Chemical. “By increasing melt strength by up tp 100% in degraded material, we make it possible for recycled HDPE to be processed efficiently in film blowing and extrusion blow molding, enabling the production of high-quality fibers, containers, and components. These findings confirm why our technology is so beneficial for customers seeking both sustainability and performance.”
HDPE accounts for approximately 13% of all virgin plastics, making improvements in its recyclability crucial for reducing plastic waste and increasing circularity. The findings from Politecnico di Torino underscore how Nexam Chemical’s additives bridge the gap between recyclability and high-performance material demands, ensuring recycled plastics can compete with virgin materials in industrial applications.
The full research paper, titled “High Melt Strength Recycled High-Density Polyethylene: Evaluation of a Novel Route for Targeting the Polymer Microstructure”, is available in Polymers.
Note: This press release has been translated from Swedish. The Swedish text shall govern for all purposes and prevail in case of any discrepancy with the English version.
For more information, please contact:
Ronnie Törnqvist, VD, +46-706 25 41 85, ronnie.tornqvist@nexamchemical.com