LYB and Nippon Paint China collaborate to help close the loop for coating packaging barrels
November 11, 2025
Shanghai, China – November 8, 2025 - LyondellBasell (LYB), a global leader in the chemical industry, and Nippon Paint China, a leading paint manufacturer and service provider, have jointly launched their first collaboration to help close the loop for coating packaging barrels. The announcement was made at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November.
The innovative closed-loop recycling system establishes a process in which used barrels are mechanically recycled. Through Nippon Paint’s Refresh Service, post-consumer barrels are collected from retail shops, then undergo preliminary processing by waste management providers upstream of GXLYB (a plastics recycling joint venture between LYB and Genox Recycling). The plastic components are then further processed at GXLYB to produce recycled pellets under the LYB CirculenRecover brand. Blended with virgin materials, these resins are injection molded by barrel manufacturers into new packaging, contributing to improved circularity for packaging in the coatings industry.
（picture provided by Nippon Paint China）
“At LyondellBasell, we are committed to driving circular solutions and providing differentiated value through our mechanical recycling activities,” said Limin Fu, vice president of Polyolefins China and Joint Venture Management at LYB. “This collaboration with Nippon Paint China showcases how collaborations across the value chain can turn plastic waste into new resources and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.”
This circular approach helps reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials and keeps valuable plastics in circulation, ensuring that recycled feedstock for high-performance materials meets high-quality standards.
“In the course of our business development, Nippon Paint has always adhered to a corporate strategy of sustainable growth. LYB is an important collaborator for us in our sustainability journey, and we are pleased to take the opportunity of the CIIE to further expand the depth and breadth of our collaboration,” said James Tsai, VP of R&D & President of TU Innovation & R&D, Nippon Paint China. “We look forward to building the closed-loop system for sustainable packaging and bringing more innovative and green development models to the coatings industry.”
This new initiative builds upon the ongoing collaboration between LYB and Nippon Paint China. In 2022, the two companies announced an exciting collaboration to create packaging using CirculenRecover polymers for Nippon Paint’s waterproofing and interface agent painting products. This collaboration served as an important step in creating a new life of colors while advancing circularity in packaging for China’s coatings industry.
In 2023, the companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further expand their cooperation in sustainable packaging solutions. The latest closed-loop initiative demonstrates their continued joint efforts in promoting circularity in China’s coatings industry.
About LyondellBasell
We are LyondellBasell – 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.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.
Circulen is a trademark owned and/or used by the LyondellBasell family of companies.