LYB and Nippon Paint China join forces to advance circularity in coating packaging barrels

LyondellBasell (LYB), a global chemical industry leader, and Nippon Paint China, a major paint manufacturer and service provider, have announced their first joint initiative aimed at advancing circularity in coating packaging barrels. The collaboration was unveiled at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November.

This innovative closed-loop recycling system enables used coating barrels to be mechanically recycled. Through Nippon Paint’s Refresh Service, post-consumer barrels are collected from retail outlets and pre-processed by waste management partners before being sent to GXLYB — a plastics recycling joint venture between LYB and Genox Recycling. At GXLYB, the plastic materials are converted into recycled pellets under LYB’s CirculenRecover brand. These pellets, when blended with virgin resins, are then molded by barrel manufacturers into new packaging, promoting greater circularity and sustainability within the coatings industry.

“At LyondellBasell, we are committed to driving circular solutions and providing differentiated value through our mechanical recycling activities,” said Limin Fu, vice president of Polyolefins China and Joint Venture Management at LYB. “This collaboration with Nippon Paint China showcases how collaborations across the value chain can turn plastic waste into new resources and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.”

This circular approach reduces dependence on fossil-based raw materials and keeps valuable plastics in continuous use, while ensuring that recycled feedstock for high-performance materials maintains superior quality standards.

“In the course of our business development, Nippon Paint has always adhered to a corporate strategy of sustainable growth. LYB is an important collaborator for us in our sustainability journey, and we are pleased to take the opportunity of the CIIE to further expand the depth and breadth of our collaboration,” said James Tsai, VP of R&D & President of TU Innovation & R&D, Nippon Paint China. “We look forward to building the closed-loop system for sustainable packaging and bringing more innovative and green development models to the coatings industry.”

This new initiative builds on the ongoing partnership between LYB and Nippon Paint China. In 2022, the two companies launched a collaboration to produce packaging made with Circulen Recover polymers for Nippon Paint’s waterproofing and interface agent products—marking a significant step toward advancing circularity and giving new life to packaging in China’s coatings sector.

In 2023, LYB and Nippon Paint China strengthened their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop sustainable packaging solutions. The latest closed-loop recycling initiative underscores their continued commitment to promoting circularity and sustainability within China’s coatings industry.

Source: LyondellBasell