PCR Content: The New Contract for FMCG Brands

Major FMCG companies are increasingly anchoring post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into their packaging strategies, signaling that this is no longer just a sustainability add-on, but a material business focus.

Unilever

With a portfolio spanning personal care, home care, and food brands, Unilever has set a target of 25% PCR content by 2025, reaching 21% in 2024. The target applies across its core global packaging formats.

Nestlé

As a global food and beverage company, packaging safety and quality are central to Nestlé’s portfolio. The company targets 30% PCR content by 2025, achieving 15% in 2024, with a strong focus on food-contact packaging.

Mars

Mars operates across confectionery, food, and pet care categories. The company targets 30% PCR content by 2025, reaching 7% in 2024 across its packaging portfolio.

PepsiCo

For PepsiCo, beverages and snacks are core categories. In 2024, the company reported 15% PCR content, driven largely by beverage packaging, where recycled PET (rPET) is increasingly specified.

              Meeting these targets will not come from a single solution. Both mechanical and advanced recycling are increasingly recognized as essential, mechanical routes forming today’s backbone, while advanced recycling helps close the gaps for harder-to-recycle materials and quality requirements such as food contact sensitive. Together, they are becoming critical enablers behind the recycled content commitments FMCG brands have already locked in.

Sources: Ellen MacArthur Foundation (Global Commitment 2025) and brand disclosures.