LyondellBasell and Nippon Paint China collaborate to close the loop on coating packaging barrels

November 11, 2025 — LyondellBasell and Nippon Paint China have announced a major collaboration focused on advancing the circular economy through the recycling and reuse of plastic coating packaging barrels. The initiative aims to reduce plastic waste, promote material recovery, and establish a model for sustainable industrial packaging.

Turning waste into resource
The project will recover and recycle used high-density polyethylene (HDPE) barrels from Nippon Paint’s operations in China, transforming them into new, high-quality packaging materials using LyondellBasell’s advanced mechanical recycling technologies. This circular approach significantly reduces the use of virgin plastic and the overall carbon footprint of the packaging lifecycle.

“This collaboration exemplifies how industry leaders can drive real progress toward circularity,” said a representative from LyondellBasell. “By working with Nippon Paint, we’re closing the loop for coating packaging and setting a new benchmark for sustainable material reuse in the coatings industry.”

Supporting China’s circular economy goals
The initiative aligns with China’s national goals to increase plastic recycling rates and promote a circular economy across industrial sectors. The recycled material from the barrels will meet strict performance requirements for new paint packaging, ensuring both durability and sustainability.

Innovation through collaboration
Both companies are leveraging their expertise — LyondellBasell’s advanced recycling and material science, combined with Nippon Paint’s large-scale production capabilities — to create an efficient closed-loop system. The partnership serves as a scalable model for other industrial applications where packaging reuse can significantly reduce environmental impact.

“At Nippon Paint China, sustainability is embedded in our operations,” said a company spokesperson. “Collaborations like this are essential to transforming the way packaging materials are managed and reused.”

Takeaway: The partnership between LyondellBasell and Nippon Paint China represents a major step toward circular industrial packaging, demonstrating how collaboration can reduce waste and promote sustainable material reuse.