Borouge International's SYNDIGO1 facility earns APR PCR and ISO 9001 certification
Last update on May 13, 2026
Sourcing post-consumer recycled polyethylene with verified traceability, consistent quality, and documented regulatory standing has been a persistent qualification hurdle for manufacturers integrating rPE into their formulations – particularly for applications where food-contact compliance is a requirement.
The SYNDIGO1 mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, operated by NOVA Chemicals Corporation (Borouge International)1, has now received both APR post-consumer recycled (PCR) certification and ISO 9001 certification. This provides independent third-party confirmation of the facility's quality systems and feedstock traceability from collected film bales through to finished pellets.
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Demonstrated quality monitoring processes and supplier qualification
The APR PCR certification addresses the traceability dimension directly. To achieve it, NOVA Chemicals demonstrated supplier qualification and quality monitoring processes, sortation assessments, regulatory testing, and supplier audits – including verification of FDA-compliant sources where applicable. The certification confirms that all prime recycled polyethylene resins produced at SYNDIGO1 consist of PCR content meeting the APR program's requirements for traceability and quality.
“These certifications reflect the deliberate choices we’ve made to build recycling processes that operate with the same rigor, discipline and expertise as our virgin polyethylene business,” said Anna Rajkovic, Circular Economy Market manager at NOVA Chemicals. “By combining mechanical recycling technology with comprehensive quality systems and full traceability, we are delivering rPE our customers can rely on for performance, safety and product stewardship.”
Expects to release 100% rLLDPE for food-contact applications this year
The ISO 9001 certification adds a quality management system layer that is independent of the material-specific PCR standard. According to Borouge International, SYNDIGO1 is among the first polyethylene recyclers in North America to achieve this certification. ISO 9001 also functions as a documented precursor to a food safety management system – a relevant signal for manufacturers evaluating rPE for regulated end-use applications. Borouge International indicates that the facility expects to release 100 percent recycled LLDPE suitable for food-contact applications later this year.
The two new certifications add to an existing set of third-party validations already in place at SYNDIGO1, including the Recycled Material Standard (RMS) certification from GreenBlue and Letters of Non-Objection from both Canada's Health Products Food Branch (HPFB) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food-contact recycled LLDPE. Together, these provide a documented verification framework for manufacturers conducting supplier qualification assessments on recycled polyethylene sources.
SYNDIGO1 is part of Borouge International, established in March 2026 by XRG – ADNOC's international investment arm – and OMV, bringing together Borouge plc, Borealis GmbH, and NOVA Chemicals Corporation into a single global polyolefins platform.
You can review recycled PE grades from top suppliers and compare specifications in the Master Catalog of Plastics.
1 In March 2026, NOVA Chemicals Corporation was acquired by Borouge Group International AG to establish Borouge International