GCR launches CICLICNXT®: A new benchmark in high-quality, industrial-scale PCR polyolefins
GCR has introduced CICLICNXT®, a next-generation line of certified, high-performance post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyolefins, engineered to meet the rigorous demands of industrial-scale production without compromising on performance, reliability, or sustainability.
Backed by over two decades of recycling expertise, CICLICNXT® is specifically designed for brand owners and top-tier plastic converters seeking reliable, traceable, and high-quality recycled materials. With mechanical, thermal, and processing properties comparable to virgin polymers, CICLICNXT® enables companies to accelerate their sustainability goals without trade-offs in scale or technical specifications.
“In today’s uncertain market, where recyclers face both cost and sustainability pressures, GCR has made, and continues to make, strategic investments in high-quality, sustainable recycling,” says Sandra Fernandez Freixa, Marketing and Sustainability Director at GCR.
“With the launch of CICLICNXT®, we’re reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials that help our customers meet regulations and support a more sustainable planet.”
Industrial-scale production with certified quality
Produced at one of Europe’s most advanced mechanical recycling plants, GCR’s facility represents a €100 million investment and processes 100,000 metric tons per year of post-consumer material, including 80,000 tons of rigid and 20,000 tons of flexible polyolefins. The plant integrates state-of-the-art sorting, washing, and compounding technology, low-energy processing, and a closed-loop water purification system, making it one of the most resource-efficient operations in the industry.
GCR also benefits from a robust and diversified sourcing supply, which ensures consistency of input streams and uninterrupted production. This translates into reliable, long-term supply stability for customers a key requirement for manufacturers integrating recycled content at scale.
Technical excellence and innovation at the core
Every CICLICNXT® grade is developed and validated through GCR’s Innovation Hub, which houses more than 50 technical specialists dedicated to:
- Industrial-scale pilot line testing
- Advanced QA and analytical testing
- Material innovation and application co-development
- Real-world performance validation
This robust infrastructure ensures each batch meets tight tolerance requirements, making CICLICNXT® a reliable choice for technically demanding markets.
Our recycling plant features advanced analytical tools, including gas chromatography systems. This technology enables precise detection of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), NVOCs (non-volatile organic compounds), and other contaminants such as SOIs (substances of interest)—in recycled material streams, ensuring higher material purity, improved consistency, and safer, more reliable recycled products for our customers.
Application versatility
With a growing portfolio of grades, CICLICNXT® supports a wide range of non-food contact applications, including:
- Rigid and flexible packaging
- Personal care
- Household products
- Building materials
- Consumer goods
Certified and fully traceable, CICLICNXT® allows converters and brand owners to integrate high-quality recycled content into their value chains with confidence.
CICLICNXT® benefits from GCR’s robust portfolio of internationally recognized certifications, which reflect our ongoing commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and traceability across the plastics value chain. These certifications include:
- ISO 9001:2015 – TÜV-certified Quality Management System
- ISO 14001:2015 – TÜV-certified Environmental Management System
- PAS 2050:2011 – TÜV-certified Product Carbon Footprint
- Product Carbon Footprint – Regular Surveillance – TÜV-certified
- ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)
- RecyClass Recycling Process Certification in accordance with EN 15343
- OCS Europe (Operation Clean Sweep®) – Certified by AENOR
We are currently in the application process for food-grade approval. While authorization is still pending, we are submitting dossiers to both the FDA and EFSA. For EFSA, we are collaborating within several consortia, and we expect to submit our FDA application by the end of the year.
GCR has established strong alliances with leading plastic processors, working closely to understand their needs and develop the most effective strategies for increasing recycled content in their applications.
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