The modular chemical recycling unit has been co-located within Amcor’s existing packaging production facility.
The trial will test the ability to convert post-consumer flexible plastics – including difficult-to-recycle multilaminate materials – into a pyrolytic oil for use in the manufacture of food-grade plastics.
Backed by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the trial will aim to provide insights into the role of chemical recycling in addressing the challenges of flexible plastics at scale.
Philippe von Stauffenberg, CEO of Greenback, commented: “This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in driving scalable circular solutions.
“Hosting this module at Amcor’s Heanor site will enable real-time feedback from global experts, as we refine our system for maximum impact before expanding further.”
Greenback’s recycling technology
Greenback’s Enval technology uses a pyrolytic process to recycle flexible plastic packaging and multi-layer laminates – materials that are typically considered unrecyclable through conventional mechanical methods.
The module heats the waste material in the absence of oxygen, breaking it down into shorter-chain hydrocarbons that can be refined into pyrolytic oil.
This oil can then be processed by petrochemical partners to create virgin-quality polymers.
By locating the module within an operating packaging site, Amcor and Greenback are aiming to trial real-world integration of recycling technologies into existing production systems.
The process will be monitored through Greenback’s eco2Veritas™ traceability platform.
The system combines AI and IoT devices to capture and verify data across the chain, from the receipt of waste through to the production of pyrolytic oil.
Potential for full deployment
If successful, Amcor has indicated it may deploy additional Enval modules either at Heanor or at other company sites.
Andrew Green, Vice President at Amcor Flexibles Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “We are excited to host this pioneering technology at our Heanor site.
“Combining Greenback’s innovation with Amcor’s operational experience enables us to improve circularity for soft plastics and help our customers make progress in achieving their own sustainability targets.”
The Heanor site was upgraded in August 2025 to incorporate enhanced quality and safety systems.
According to Amcor, these upgrades have improved the consistency and quality of recycled output and will enable the use of an additional 2,800 tonnes of recyclate annually in flexible packaging.
Greenback already operates a commercial-scale plant in Alconbury in the UK, and a plant in Mexico, which was inaugurated in May 2023.
Subscribe for free