Nivea Unveils Film With 22% Recycled Content
Nivea worked with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, Green Worms and Vardhaman Polypacks to develop a collation shrink film containing post-consumer recycled material.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Nivea teamed up with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, Green Worms and Vardhaman Polypacks to develop a collation shrink film for packing products such as body lotion bottles and tubs. The film contains 22% post-consumer recycled content, above the at least 20% the companies sought.
Why it matters
The development aligns the packaging with Nivea's Net Zero target for 2045. It reflects a broader push by consumer goods brands to incorporate recycled plastics into flexible packaging.
The collation shrink film contains 22% post-consumer recycled content, versus a target of at least 20%, and its tensile properties are improved over the incumbent virgin film. Commercial rollout timing and wider adoption across Nivea's product range were not disclosed.
The players
Nivea
Nivea is the global skincare brand owned by Beiersdorf that is pursuing a Net Zero target for 2045 across its packaging.
ExxonMobil Signature Polymers
ExxonMobil Signature Polymers is the polymer business of ExxonMobil that supplied the performance polyethylene and technical knowledge for the film.
Novelis
Novelis is a global aluminium rolling and recycling company that operates the Nachterstedt recycling centre with an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes.
The details
The film uses Exceed Stiff+ m 0238 performance polyethylene, with Green Worms producing PCR granules from Category II flexible waste and Vardhaman Polypacks providing film conversion. The solution maintains puncture performance despite PCR sourced from varying flexible waste streams.
Timeline
March: ExxonMobil helped Plastilene and Reciclene develop PCR collation shrink films.
Last month: Novelis and Beiersdorf revealed the Nivea Creme tin is made from 95% recycled aluminium.
2045: Nivea's Net Zero target year that the film aligns with.
Market Landscape
The film extends the polyethylene-based flexible packaging approach by incorporating recycled content while keeping shrink and puncture performance. It positions Nivea alongside other consumer goods brands moving to recycled-content flexible packaging to meet corporate climate targets.
Shoppers buying Nivea body lotion bottles and tubs may encounter packaging with recycled plastic content as the film is adopted. The extraction does not specify availability dates or any change to retail pricing.
The takeaway
Brands are increasingly qualifying recycled-content resins against existing performance specifications before scaling them. Consumers can expect recycled-content packaging to appear gradually as these films move into production.
Further reading
Explore more Consumer Goods coverage on packaging and product sourcing trends.
