Hegen to Launch First Recycled-Content Baby Bottle Using Solvay PPSU Resin

High-purity, food-contact grade of PPSU polymer uses certified circular feedstock

Belgian specialty chemicals giant Solvay is supplying Singapore-based Hegen Pte. Ltd. with its sustainable Duradex polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) for use in Hegen’s premium line of Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open (PCTO) baby feeding bottles. 

Solvay’s Duradex PPSU is an amorphous, naturally amber, transparent polymer free of artificial pigments, phthalates and bisphenols, such as BPA. The high-purity, food-contact grade used in this application features circular, non-fossil feedstock content and is mass-balance (MB) certified by an independent third party under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) mass balance accounting regime. The MB accounting approach provides a reliable method of tracing feedstock content from material production to final application. 

“Brand owners and manufacturers in the child-care market are increasingly seeking to improve the sustainability of their products without compromising safety, efficiency or convenience,” says Guillaume Meunier, head of marketing for Life Solutions at Solvay Materials. “Hegen’s baby feeding and drinking bottles are widely acknowledged for their high quality and use the highest-purity materials to ensure a healthy and comfortable feeding experience for mother and child. We are pleased that the company has decided to adopt our mass-balance-certified PPSU for molding their iconic bottles.” 

In addition, Solvay says this polymer is highly resistant to scratches and stains, does not absorb odors and has an inherently non-stick surface. It is said to combine exceptional hydrolytic stability and shatter-proof toughness with high heat resistance. These properties also enable the lightweight, ergonomically shaped and wide-opening bottles to safely withstand more than 1,000 sterilization cycles using steam or hot water. It also is dishwasher safe.  

Combining Safety with Sustainability

“We are excited about this strategic material partnership with Solvay, which will help us further reduce the environmental impact of our baby feeding bottles in line with our sustainability roadmap,” adds Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of Hegen, which was established in Singapore in 2015.  

“The circular Duradex polymer exhibits the same high-performance properties as the previous material used in molding our Hegen PCTO bottles, including excellent processability and durability, which makes it an efficient drop-in alternative to all-fossil PPSU solutions.” 

Solvay plans to showcase Hegen’s PCTO baby feeding bottles in the Belgian firm’s booth at next month’s Fakuma 2023 show in Germany (Booth 4213, Hall B4). Both companies say they are committed to bringing the first mass-balance PPSU baby bottle to the market by 2024. 

Hegen’s ergonomically shaped Hegen Sqround (square-round) bottles are modular, multi-functional and designed with the patented PCTO non-screw thread closure for easy handling. Hegen says its products are available in 24 international markets, including the U.S. and Canada.