Henkel and LyondellBasell collaborate on bio-circular raw material solution for WC Frisch/Bref Toilet Rim Block cage

Rotterdam – October 02, 2025 – LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), a global leader in recycled and bio-circular polymers, has collaborated with Henkel to develop an innovative renewable-based solution for the transparent plastic cage of Henkel’s WC Frisch/Bref solid toilet rim blocks®. The cage is manufactured using an injection molding process and features a composition of 30% mechanically recycled plastics and 70% bio-circular based raw materials produced with the LYB CirculenRenew portfolio applying a mass balance approach. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing more sustainable packaging solutions.

Why CirculenRenew?

After in-depth analysis, Henkel selected CirculenRenew as the base-material for the development of the transparent plastic cage of WC Frisch/Bref solid toilet rim blocks®. These polymers are produced using a mass balance approach. The bio-based feedstock comes from wastes and residues, such as residues from vegetable oil processing. A drop-in solution, CirculenRenew delivers the same high-performance as fossil-based alternatives, with the key difference being lower CO2 emissions during production. Across the full life cycle, renewable-based materials result in a lower CO2 footprint compared to fossil-based options.

“We are very happy about collaborating with LYB on realizing this forward-looking project,” said Carsten Bertram, Head of packaging sustainability at Henkel Consumer Brands. “One part of our sustainability journey at Henkel is producing the packaging of our consumer products from more sustainable materials. We are doing so by developing smart packaging solutions designed for reuse and recycling, reducing fossil-based virgin materials and using more recycled plastic.”

Lower product carbon footprint with CirculenRenew

CirculenRenew polypropylene (PP) grades offer up to 44% lower product carbon footprint (PCF) than fossil-based PP on a cradle-to-gate basis¹. These polymers are produced using a mass balance approach with bio-circular feedstocks that do not compete with food production. This method ensures renewable content is allocated and certified, while maintaining strict quality standards for food applications and the performance of virgin materials.

CirculenRenew is manufactured at LYB polymer sites in Europe, which are ISCC PLUS certified, ensuring traceability along the value chain. Using the mass balance method, LYB tracks how much bio-circular material goes into the production process and attributes it to the final polymer via a Sustainability Declaration.

Circulen: our full portfolio of recycled and bio-circular solutions

“At LYB, we make circular and low carbon solutions work for businesses,” said Paula Sanabria Luque, senior director, marketing & commercial development, Circular & Low Carbon Solutions, EMEAI, at LyondellBasell. “We are proud to support Henkel with our bio-circular solution, CirculenRenew, helping them meet their emissions reduction targets along the value chain. This builds on our long-standing collaboration in circularity, which has included several projects in mechanical recycling. Together with partners like Henkel, we are accelerating the availability of high-performance polymers – mechanically and chemically recycled, as well as renewable-based – at scale through our comprehensive Circulen portfolio.”

“At Henkel, where no technical solution for mechanically recycled plastic exists yet due to product safety, quality or availability issues, we explore alternative approaches,” Bertram added. “We believe that every opportunity must be considered to achieve our goal of making packaging more sustainable.””

Driving Circularity Through Collaboration at K 2025

At K 2025, Henkel and LYB will showcase their joint efforts toward advancing sustainable packaging solutions. On Thursday, October 9, at 16:00 (LYB booth, Hall 8a, Stand D12) Carsten Bertram and Paula Sanabria Luque will present how collaborative innovation can accelerate the transition to recycled and bio-circular materials in consumer products. This dialogue will highlight the role of collaboration in reducing carbon footprints and achieving circularity goals across the value chain.

The innovative cage of the WC-Frisch/Bref solid toilet rim block developed with CirculenRenew bio-circular materials will be on display at the LYB and Plastics Europe booths, giving visitors the opportunity to see how renewable-based solutions are being implemented in real consumer products.

Visit LYB at K 2025

LYB will be featured at Hall 8a, Stand D12, under the theme “Solutions for a better tomorrow.” Visitors will experience:

• Five Product Islands showcasing complete solution portfolios
• Interactive 3D virtual experience of our chemical recycling technology, MoReTec, and animated process explainers for mechanical and solvent-based recycling
• Expert Talks on closed-loop models, design for recycling and more

Discover how the full LYB portfolio — from Olefins & Polyolefins to advanced polymers and cutting-edge technologies — can help businesses thrive while advancing a circular and low carbon future.

About LyondellBasell (LYB)

We are LyondellBasell (LYB) – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyb.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

¹ The cradle-to-gate PCF reduction is based on a comparison of EU life cycle assessment (LCA) results that exclude emissions from activities downstream of the LYB factory gate, including emissions associated with transport, distribution, use and end of life waste management. Biogenic emissions are also excluded from this comparison.