Charter Next Generation (CNG) recently entered into two major agreements to increase its circularity efforts, including a strategic collaboration with NOVA Chemicals, Inc. to obtain high-quality recycled polyethylene (rPE) for use in advanced flexible packaging applications.
The long-term agreement calls for CNG to procure NOVA’s rPE resin under the brand name SYNDIGO™.
“This post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, sourced from recycled film and plastic packaging, offers a lower-emission alternative to virgin polyethylene,” CNG said in a news release. “It is now being successfully integrated into CNG’s operations.”
John Garnett, CNG’s senior vice president of technical, sustainability, and innovation, says that commercializing PCR content into everyday packaging will reduce the use of virgin plastic, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and build a stronger end-market for PCR materials.
The collaboration supports the growth of CNG’s GreenArrow™ portfolio, which includes recycle-ready, recycled content, compostable, and low-carbon products. The applications include cereal bags, shrink film, and household overwraps for items like napkins and paper towels.
Greg DeKunder, vice president, NOVA Chemicals’ Circular Solutions, says that combining NOVA’s resin innovation with CNG’s manufacturing expertise advances PCR adoption across the flexible packaging industry.
“It’s a powerful collaboration that brings together the strengths of both our SYNDIGO™ and GreenArrow™ brands,” DeKunder adds.
Based in Illinois, CNG has 18 facilities nationwide and more than 2,600 employee-owners. And CNG’s footprint across Wisconsin and Ohio aligns with NOVA Chemicals’ new recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, which began production in early 2025, the companies point out. The facility is expected to produce more than 110 million pounds of rPE annually.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, NOVA Chemicals is wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and employs 2,600 worldwide.
Shell Polymers Agreement
CNG has also entered into an agreement with Shell Polymers, which will deliver ISCC PLUS certified circular polyethylene for CNG to use in high-performance flexible packaging.
Through this agreement, Shell Polymers supplies CNG with circular polyethylene under the ISCC PLUS system using a mass balance approach. ISCC PLUS system certification is assigned to material based on Shell Polymers’ use of pyrolysis oil made from recycled plastic in place of virgin raw materials, helping to divert plastic waste from landfills.
As part of the ISCC PLUS system, credits are tracked and attributed using rigorous third-party standards, allowing downstream customers like CNG to produce packaging that supports the shift toward a circular economy while using virgin-grade resins that meet performance and regulatory criteria, the companies say.
“This collaboration with Charter Next Generation demonstrates how Shell Polymers is making circularity in plastics possible,” says Ryan Siegfried, global marketing manager, Shell Polymers. “Our ISCC PLUS certified materials provide customers with traceable, flexible solutions that align with the needs of converters and brand owners who are committed to reducing plastic waste and supporting a more circular economy.”
The high-performance films are tailored for applications where functional integrity is non-negotiable, CNG says. Current deployments include packaging for pet food, packaged meats, and healthcare products.
“Advanced recycling represents one pathway toward achieving circularity in flexible packaging, especially for high-performance applications where functionality cannot be compromised,” Garnett says.
Shell Polymers’ Monaca plant in Pennsylvania is located in proximity to over 70% of the North American polyethylene market, the company says. The new facility provides regional plastic manufacturers with more flexibility, shorter supply chains, and enhanced supply dependability.
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor of FlexPack VOICE®.