The US-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and Mexico's National Association of Plastics Industries (ANIPAC) have signed a formal collaboration agreement to strengthen plastics recyclability, promote international design for recycling guidelines, and support circular economy development across Mexico's plastics value chain.

Plastics News reported that the alliance establishes a framework for technical and strategic cooperation between the two bodies, covering the full plastics value chain from packaging and product design through to material recovery, recycling and reintegration into the market.

APR, the largest North American organisation focused exclusively on improving plastics recycling, will contribute technical tools, training programmes and design criteria aimed at increasing packaging recyclability and strengthening markets for post-consumer recycled content.

Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR, said: "Collaboration among organisations across North America is fundamental to strengthening recycling infrastructure, promoting common technical standards, and accelerating the transition toward more circular and sustainable models for plastics."

Benjamín del Arco, president of ANIPAC, said the agreement represents a strategic step toward strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Mexico's plastics industry, adding that the adoption of international design for recyclability guidelines allows the sector to advance toward more efficient solutions aligned with market needs and current environmental challenges, while providing greater technical certainty to all stakeholders across the value chain.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will exchange technical and regulatory information, develop joint projects, provide specialised training and promote design criteria intended to make plastic packaging and products easier to recycle in Mexico.

The collaboration reinforces ANIPAC's role as a key coordinator of Mexico's plastics value chain, with the association emphasising that progress toward a circular economy requires clear criteria, adequate infrastructure and coordinated participation among industry, government and society.

Read the full report on how APR and ANIPAC are reshaping plastics recycling cooperation across North America.