From recycled plastics to closed-loop systems, CIIE opens up a "circular" mode

At the 8th China International Import Expo, green, low-carbon, and circular economy became the consistent themes. Numerous multinational corporations have showcased their innovative achievements in the application of recycled plastics, recyclable design, and closed-loop system construction, promoting the implementation of the "dual carbon" goal through solid actions and providing rich practical examples for global sustainable development.

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Innovative Application of Recycled Plastics: From Material Innovation to Product Upgrade

As the core carrier of the circular economy, recycled plastics have achieved breakthrough applications in multiple fields and high performance at this year's CIIE, breaking the inherent understanding that "recycling means low quality" and promoting the high-end application of recycled materials.

SORPLAS independently developed by Sony ™ Sustainable high flame retardant recycled plastic, with recycled materials accounting for up to 99%, reduces carbon emissions by about 72% compared to native flame retardant plastics in the production process. It has been applied to Lenovo laptops, BRAVIA TVs and other products, achieving a plastic reduction of 12000 tons by 2024.

Global paint giant Xuanwei Company participated in the exhibition for the first time, launching multiple low VOC environmentally friendly coatings. Its Powder ®  The Eco powder coating series uses recycled plastics as raw materials, with performance that meets or even exceeds industry standards, achieving the integration of resource recycling and high performance.

Uniqlo has extensively applied recycled materials in its production lines, and in the future, 50% of its fleece clothing will use 100% recycled polyester fibers, achieving resource regeneration through the process of "crushing spinning dyeing softening". The chairs in the booth are also made by crushing and pressing discarded clothing, reflecting the circular concept of "clothing waste for use".

Huawang (China)'s Bi Rou Free Makeup Removal Series applies PCR resin (recycled plastic) to bottle containers, ultimately achieving a 45.2% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, confirming the environmental value of recycled materials with actual data.

The trendy brand CASETiFY has launched the "Re/CASETiFY Reshaping the New Life" program, which recycles old phone cases and transforms them into new product materials to create resources with artists, forming a virtuous cycle of "recycling regeneration innovation".

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Packaging cycle: from recyclability design to closed-loop recycling

Packaging is a crucial link connecting production and consumption. At the CIIE, companies start from the design source, build green packaging solutions covering the entire lifecycle through material replacement, structural optimization, and recycling system construction.

The cooperation between Nippon Paint China and LyondellBasell has become a model in the industry. Both parties have been cooperating on green packaging since 2022, and the jointly launched recycled plastic packaging bucket has won the "Golden Apple" award for innovative application of recycled materials. At this year's CIIE, both parties announced a demonstration project for closed-loop recycling of paint packaging, building a complete loop from post use packaging recycling, sorting and cleaning, recycling granulation to reapplying to new packaging. The project has been piloted in Guangzhou and will gradually be promoted to more regions in the future.

The packaging recyclability rate of Henkel's consumer brand business unit in China has reached 75% (based on the principle of recyclable design). The brands under its umbrella, such as Swarovski Yiran and Friesli, have achieved 100% recycling of paper packaging. The packaging of new products from brands such as Swarovski and Siyun uses 50% recycled PET plastic, significantly reducing their dependence on virgin plastics.

Shiseido's Infusa IPSA reduces plastic usage by 56% through integrated bottle manufacturing and liquid filling technology; Opel launches eco-friendly packaging alternatives to encourage consumers to reuse bottle bodies and avoid packaging waste.

From material innovation to packaging recycling, the 8th CIIE showcased the systematic layout of enterprises in the fields of recycled plastics and recyclable design. These cases not only confirm the feasibility of creating greater value with fewer resources, but also mark the transition of green consumption from conceptual advocacy to large-scale implementation.