Aduro and ECOCE finish phase‑1 mapping of Mexico’s flexible multilayer plastic waste and launch HCT trials to test circular feedstock potential

Aduro and ECOCE completed phase 1 of raw‑material mapping for flexible multilayer plastic waste in Mexico and initiated HCT testing on selected streams to assess their suitability as circular feedstock. Success could divert up to 1.5 million tonnes/year of plastic waste from landfill and create a domestic source of recycled material for Mexican manufacturers, reducing reliance on virgin plastics. Who is involved: Aduro (technology provider), ECOCE (Mexican industry coalition), Mexican plastic‑waste generators, and relevant Mexican environmental authorities.. Likely next: HCT trials will run through Q3 2026; if technical and economic targets are met, the partners plan a pilot‑scale plant and seek commercial off‑take agreements.. Aduro and ECOCE have finished the first phase of mapping Mexico’s flexible multilayer plastic waste, identifying roughly 1.5 million tonnes per year of selected soft‑multilayer streams that are now being subjected to high‑consistency testing (HCT). The mapping provides a detailed characterization of the material’s composition and properties, a prerequisite for assessing whether the waste can serve as a reliable secondary raw material for domestic polymer production. The subsequent HCT campaign will evaluate the feedstock’s performance under processing conditions that mimic industrial recycling, determining its suitability for conversion into reusable resin. This effort addresses a persistent waste‑management challenge in Mexico, where multilayer plastics are difficult to collect and recycle due to their complex structure. By establishing a verifiable circular feedstock, the project could reduce reliance on virgin plastics, lower material costs for local manufacturers, and help meet extended‑producer‑responsibility obligations. The initiative also fits within Mexico’s broader strategy to bolster domestic recycling capacity amid ongoing renegotiations of the North American free‑trade agreement, which may affect cross‑border waste flows. Near‑term outcomes will depend on the HCT results; a positive outcome could trigger pilot‑scale demonstrations and off‑take discussions with Mexican converters, while a negative finding would likely prompt a reassessment of preprocessing or alternative valorisation routes. Likely next events: HCT testing phase to commence July–August 2026 Interim results expected by end September 2026 Decision on pilot‑scale plant slated for Q1 2027 Sectors affected: Plastic recycling Circular materials Waste management Regulatory implications: Mexican General Law for Waste Prevention and Integral Management (LGPGIR) may see updated recycling quotas in late 2026 Extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for flexible packaging under discussion Historical parallels: EU Plastics Strategy (2018) that set 10 % recycled‑content target by 2025 China’s National Sword policy (2018) that restricted plastic waste imports and spurred domestic recycling

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