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P&G and Herbal Essences' PET Bottles Move to 50% Chemically Recycled PCR

Herbal Essences will be the first P&G brand to use Eastman Renew molecular-recycled plastic in its packaging.

Herbal Essences will be the first P&G brand to use Eastman Renew molecular-recycled plastic in its packaging.
Herbal Essences will be the first P&G brand to use Eastman Renew molecular-recycled plastic in its packaging.

Herbal Essences, one of P&G’s most iconic brands, in November introduced five shampoo and conditioner collections in primary packaging made from Eastman Renew resins with 50% certified recycled plastic, a material that uses an advanced (non-mechanical) recycling technique. The two companies have a long history of partnership, with Eastman supplying P&G a variety of specialty materials–either directly or indirectly via molder/converter partners. In this new project, the Renew material used to produce the new Herbal Essence bottles is a PET material using injection stretch blow molding (ISBM).

This commercialized project comes on the heels of an August,  2021 P&G and Eastman agreement to collaborate on initiatives that will advance the recycling of more materials, encourage recycling behavior, and prevent plastic from going to waste. The launch of Herbal Essences in packaging from Eastman Renew materials, which was timed to coincide with America Recycles Day on November 15, was the first concrete step the companies are taking to leverage Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies and advance their shared commitment to the circular economy.

Molecular Recycling Technology

P&G Beauty has a goal of a 50% reduction in the use of virgin plastic by 2025.P&G Beauty has a goal of a 50% reduction in the use of virgin plastic by 2025.

With PRT, Eastman molecularly recycles polyester waste plastics. This means not only clear PE water and soda bottles, but also colored shampoo bottles, the food packaging trays seen on grocery store shelves, and even carpet and textiles. Today these “hard-to-recycle” materials generally end up in a landfill or incinerator. The technology is meant to be complementary to more traditional mechanical recycling, and Eastman ensures it isn’t poaching from more easily recycled materials that the current infrastructure can easily handle, by focusing its PRT attention on hard-to-recycle materials as a feedstock.

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