Henkel partners LyondellBasell to launch renewable toilet rim block solution with recycled plastics
The new packaging is made with a combination of recycled and bio-circular materials.
GERMANY – Henkel has teamed up with LyondellBasell to introduce a renewable-based plastic for the cage in its WC Frisch and Bref solid toilet rim blocks.
The new material combines 30% mechanically recycled plastics with 70% biocircular raw materials, sourced from waste streams such as residues from vegetable oil processing.
LyondellBasell produces this blend using its CirculenRenew portfolio through a mass balance method, which tracks renewable content without altering manufacturing processes.
“CirculenRenew acts as a direct replacement for traditional plastics,” a LyondellBasell spokesperson explained.
The polypropylene grades in this line cut the product carbon footprint by up to 44% compared to fossil-based versions, measured from cradle to gate.
These bio-circular feedstocks avoid competition with food crops, and the renewable portion receives certification to verify quality standards.
Henkel’s sustainability head, Maria Teresa Sanclemente, noted that the partnership supports the company’s goal of using 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025.
She added, “This innovation keeps performance intact while reducing environmental impact.” The toilet rim blocks maintain their durability and effectiveness against limescale and bacteria, ensuring no compromise for consumers.
This development arrives amid a wave of industry shifts to recycled and bio-based polymers.
In June, INEOS Olefins & Polymers in Lavera, France, began receiving pyrolysis oil derived from plastic waste.
The facility utilises this oil to produce recycled polymers, helping customers meet EU mandates for at least 10% recycled content in food-contact, medical, and sensitive packaging by 2030.
Around the same time, Elopak, Orkla Home and Personal Care, and Dow introduced cartons featuring a blend of recycled polyethylene and bio-circular polymers.
Customers now have the option to incorporate this mix across Elopak’s full range, including blanks and closures, to enhance circularity in liquid packaging.
LyondellBasell reports that its CirculenRenew grades already supply over 100,000 metric tons annually, with demand rising as brands face regulatory pressures.
Henkel aims to expand the renewable cage to more Bref variants next year, targeting a broader market share in eco-friendly cleaning products.
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