LyondellBasell and Pigeon Singapore Collaborate on Sustainable Nursing Bottles with Bio-Circular Plastic

LyondellBasell and Pigeon Singapore, the regional headquarters overseeing business operations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania, have jointly declared a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing sustainable research and development initiatives in the realm of baby nursing bottles.

The focal point of this collaboration is the introduction of the enhanced series of Pigeon SofTouch™ nursing bottles, incorporating LyondellBasell's bio-based CirculenRenew polypropylene polymers. This marks a significant shift for Pigeon as it steers away from the conventional use of 100% virgin polypropylene resins. The CirculenRenew polypropylene polymers find application in various components of the renewed Pigeon SofTouch™ series, such as the cap, hood, handle, and bottle. Specifically, these bio-based polymers are integrated into the cap and hood of the renewed Pigeon SofTouch™ T-Ester, PPSU, and Glass nursing bottles, as well as in the cap, hood, and bottle of the PP nursing bottle and PP straw bottle. Furthermore, the bottle handle of the PP straw bottle is also fashioned from CirculenRenew polypropylene.

With a rich legacy of over 60 years in breastfeeding research, Pigeon holds the esteemed position of being the global leader in nursing bottles. The incorporation of CirculenRenew into various polypropylene components, including the cap, hood, handle, and PP bottle, in the renewed Pigeon SofTouch™ nursing bottles represents a substantial stride towards reducing the use of virgin polypropylene plastic. This reduction contributes significantly to carbon emissions reduction, aligning with Pigeon's commitment to sustainability. Notably, CirculenRenew PP boasts a 70% lower Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) compared to fossil-based PP over its life cycle, attributed to the utilization of a bio-based feedstock.

In addition to the environmental benefits, consumers can anticipate the potential for reusing these nursing bottles as their infants grow. Pigeon's innovative approach includes the introduction of the 2-step straw tops, allowing babies to seamlessly transition from bottle feeding to drinking water or other fluids, promoting a sustainable and extended use of the product.

Yusuke Nakata, CEO of Pigeon Singapore, emphasized the brand's dedication to creating a more baby-friendly world. He stated, "Our goal is to support parents in providing the best for their babies, and this includes a sustainable environment for the children to grow up and thrive in." Nakata expressed pride in the collaboration with LyondellBasell, characterizing the integration of bio-based plastic into Pigeon's nursing bottles as a groundbreaking advancement.

The CirculenRenew polymers by LyondellBasell represent a commitment to utilizing renewable feedstocks derived from bio-based wastes and residual oils, including used cooking oils. These feedstocks are seamlessly integrated into LyondellBasell's conventional production processes, alongside traditional feedstocks, utilizing an ISCC PLUS-certified mass balance approach. The incorporation of renewable feedstocks not only ensures the environmental sustainability of the CirculenRenew products but also offers a lower carbon footprint compared to fossil-based alternatives.

In recognition of Pigeon's sustainability efforts, the company has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification. This certification serves as an assurance to consumers that Pigeon's bio-based materials adhere to ISCC's stringent sustainability requirements throughout the value chain. ISCC PLUS certification, an internationally recognized standard, is applicable to the mass balance methodology employed in this initiative.

In a collaborative effort with the Japanese trading company Iwatani Corporation and LyondellBasell, Pigeon plans to launch these sustainable nursing bottles in Indonesia starting from December 2023. Following this initial release, the bottles will be introduced in the remaining markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania in the subsequent year. This coordinated initiative underscores the commitment of all involved parties to ushering in a more sustainable and environmentally conscious era in the production and utilization of baby nursing bottles on a global scale.