Image Credits: Packnode
LyondellBasell (LYB), a global leader in the chemical and polymer industry, has joined forces with Nippon Paint China, one of the country’s foremost paint manufacturers and service providers, to launch a pioneering closed-loop recycling initiative for coating packaging barrels. The collaboration was officially unveiled at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainability and circularity within the coatings sector.
The newly developed system introduces an innovative closed-loop recycling process in which used plastic paint barrels are collected, processed, and remanufactured into new packaging. Through Nippon Paint’s Refresh Service, post-consumer barrels are retrieved from retail outlets and sent to waste management partners for initial treatment. The pre-processed materials are then transferred to GXLYB a recycling joint venture between LyondellBasell and Genox Recycling, where the plastic components are mechanically recycled into high-quality CirculenRecover pellets. These recycled resins are then blended with virgin materials and supplied to barrel manufacturers for injection molding into new packaging, effectively closing the loop and reducing waste within the industry.
According to Limin Fu, Vice President of Polyolefins China and Joint Venture Management at LyondellBasell, this collaboration underscores the company’s dedication to developing circular solutions and promoting value-added recycling systems. He emphasized that partnerships across the value chain are essential to turning plastic waste into valuable new resources and accelerating progress toward a more sustainable future.
James Tsai, Vice President of R&D and President of TU Innovation & R&D at Nippon Paint China, echoed this commitment, stating that sustainability remains central to Nippon Paint’s corporate growth strategy. He noted that LyondellBasell has been a key partner in the company’s sustainability journey, and this initiative represents a deepening of that collaboration. By establishing a circular packaging system, both companies aim to foster innovation and bring greener, more responsible business models to the coatings industry.
This new initiative builds on a strong foundation of collaboration between the two organizations. In 2022, LYB and Nippon Paint China introduced packaging solutions using CirculenRecover polymers for waterproofing and interface agent products an early step toward integrating circular materials into mainstream production. The partnership advanced further in 2023 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand joint efforts in sustainable packaging innovation.
The latest closed-loop recycling program represents the next phase in this ongoing partnership, showcasing how collaborative innovation can reduce dependence on fossil-based raw materials, retain valuable plastics in circulation, and maintain the high-quality standards required for industrial applications. Through this initiative, LYB and Nippon Paint China are not only setting new sustainability benchmarks for China’s coatings industry but also exemplifying how cross-industry cooperation can pave the way for a more circular and environmentally responsible future.
26 January 2026
26 January 2026
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23 January 2026