NOVA Chemicals Corporation has officially commissioned SYNDIGO1, its first polyethylene (PE) film mechanical recycling facility, located in Connersville. Spanning 450,000 square feet, SYNDIGO1 is among the world鈥檚 largest and most advanced recycling centers for plastic film. The facility is designed to recycle 145,000 bales of end-of-life plastic film annually, generating more than 100 million pounds of SYNDIGO鈩� recycled linear low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE), suitable for both food- and non-food-grade packaging applications. Full production is expected by early 2026.
To mark the occasion, NOVA Chemicals hosted a grand opening event that drew nearly 100 attendees. Notable guests included CEO Roger Kearns, Novolex Chairman and CEO Stan Bikulege, Indiana Secretary of Business Affairs Mike Speedy, State Sen. Jeff Raatz, State Rep. Lindsay Patterson, and Connersville Mayor Chad Frank. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks, and U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve were also present. The event celebrated the culmination of 22 months of planning, construction and scale-up.
鈥淥ur SYNDIGO1 facility is a tangible example of what motivation, collaboration and market demand can accomplish,鈥� said Kearns. 鈥淭oday, NOVA Chemicals is not just a petrochemicals producer鈥攚e are a recycler. We鈥檙e transforming plastic waste into high-quality materials that help keep food fresh and transport goods safely.鈥�
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun praised the initiative: 鈥淚ndiana is proud to host NOVA Circular Solutions鈥� new mechanical recycling facility. It will support approximately 125 Hoosier jobs and stand as a world-class example of our leadership in the materials industry.鈥�
The project was first announced in July 2023. NOVA partnered with Novolex to operate the facility, leveraging nearly two decades of Novolex鈥檚 experience in plastic film recycling. In 2024, the facility received a landmark Letter of Non-Objection (LNO) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, confirming the suitability of its rLLDPE for food-contact use.
In April 2025, SYNDIGO1 earned the Recycled Material Standard (RMS) certification from GreenBlue, verifying that its recycled PE content is 100% post-consumer. Currently, three of the facility鈥檚 four processing lines are operational, with full-scale operations expected to begin by year鈥檚 end.
NOVA Chemicals鈥� investment in SYNDIGO1 highlights its commitment to advancing circular economy solutions and reducing plastic waste through innovation and collaboration.
NOVA Chemicals is redefining the way plastics are designed, manufactured, and recycled, with the goal of becoming the top choice for the customers. Company drive the development of high-performance, reliable polyethylene solutions by creating resins that surpass the expectations of both customers and consumers. Through strategic investments in advanced mechanical recycling technologies and feedstock infrastructure, as well as strong collaborations across the value chain, we are actively supporting the transition to a circular economy.
