Month: July 2025

In an era where sustainability claims are everywhere, one question keeps surfacing: Can we trust them? Consumers, partners, and regulators increasingly demand transparency—not just promises.

That’s why third-party sustainability certifications have become more than just industry credentials. They’re tools of accountability, offering verifiable proof that a manufacturer is genuinely committed to reducing its environmental impact.

For manufacturers like Thong Guan, adopting internationally recognised certifications such as ISO 14001, ISCC PLUS, and GRS plays a pivotal role in building clarity, credibility, and justifiable sustainability claims.

But what exactly do these certifications mean, and how do they help shape a more responsible and transparent manufacturing industry?

Let’s explore the role of green and sustainability certifications—and how they drive real progress.

Why Sustainability Certifications Matter

Sustainability certifications are not just badges. They are structured frameworks that require companies to:

• Measure and monitor environmental performance
• Implement specific sustainability practices
• Undergo third-party audits for verification
• Improve continuously based on global best practices

By doing so, these certifications help prevent greenwashing, set industry benchmarks, and provide a common language of trust for stakeholders.

For manufacturers, having sustainability certifications can:

• Increase supply chain acceptance
• Support ESG and carbon disclosure reporting
• Meet international customer requirements
• Improve operational efficiency
• Strengthen brand trust and market competitiveness

Key Certifications Driving Impact in Manufacturing

Let’s look at three major certifications that are shaping sustainable manufacturing: ISO 14001, ISCC PLUS, and GRS. Each plays a unique role but together form a holistic validation strategy.

1. ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems

What it is:
ISO 14001 is one of the most widely recognised international standards for environmental management. It provides a framework for companies to identify, manage, monitor, and improve their environmental performance in a systematic way.

Why it matters:
This certification ensures that a company isn’t just complying with environmental laws but is actively improving its practices. It focuses on reducing waste, lowering energy use, and managing resources more efficiently.

Key benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility
• Supports risk management and regulatory compliance
• Encourages continuous improvement and lifecycle thinking
• Builds trust with clients and partners who prioritise sustainability

In Practice:
For manufacturers like Thong Guan, ISO 14001 certification provides a credible foundation for broader sustainability initiatives. It shows that environmental performance isn’t an afterthought—it’s integrated into daily operations.

2. ISCC PLUS – Traceability & Circular Economy Certification

What it is:
The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS is a globally recognised system focused on the sustainability of biomass, bio-based products, and circular materials. It’s particularly relevant for companies operating in the chemical and plastic industries.

Why it matters:

ISCC PLUS tracks raw materials from their origin to the final product using mass balance chain-of-custody models, enabling companies to credibly label and market their products as sustainable or bio-based.

Key benefits:

• Verifies responsible sourcing and circular economy practices
• Tracks recycled or bio-based content throughout the supply chain
• Helps meet buyer and regulatory demands for traceability
• Supports carbon reduction reporting

In Practice:
When companies like Thong Guan produce stretch films using post-consumer recycled content or bio-circular feedstocks, ISCC PLUS certification ensures that those claims are backed by documented traceability and verified audits.

3. GRS – Global Recycled Standard

What it is:
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international certification that sets requirements for recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.

Why it matters:
GRS doesn’t just validate recycled content—it goes further by including environmental impact and social criteria, ensuring that the entire supply chain follows responsible practices.

Key benefits:

• Confirms authenticity and percentage of recycled content
• Encourages ethical and transparent sourcing
• Audits facilities for environmental and social responsibility
• Helps customers choose truly sustainable packaging

In Practice:
For products like PCR stretch film, GRS certification adds another layer of validation—proving not just the environmental benefits, but also that they’re made under responsible and safe working conditions.

Certification as a Bridge Between Intent and Impact

Sustainability can no longer rely on good intentions alone. Third-party certifications act as bridges between what a company claims and what it actually does.

• For customers, certifications provide transparency and a basis for comparison.
• For regulators, they simplify compliance and auditing.
• For internal teams, they serve as roadmaps for process improvements and training.
• For brand positioning, they offer credible differentiation in a crowded market.

Without independent validation, sustainability claims risk being viewed as marketing fluff. With certification, they become verifiable commitments.

Thong Guan’s Sustainability Framework in Action

As highlighted in Thong Guan’s 2024 Sustainability Statement, the company is actively aligning with global sustainability certifications to drive meaningful change across its operations.

Highlights include:

• ISO 14001-certified facilities as part of the environmental management roadmap
• ISCC PLUS certification to support sustainable sourcing of circular feedstock
• GRS certification on key recycled-content products like Maxstretch Regen PCR Film

By embracing these certifications, Thong Guan sends a clear signal: sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a standard.

Building Clarity and Trust Through Certification

While sustainability is complex, third-party certification simplifies the message:

“We’re not just saying it. We’ve proven it.”

Clarity and trust are essential for long-term business relationships, especially in supply chains where environmental accountability is now a critical factor. Green certifications give manufacturers the confidence to:

• Communicate sustainability metrics to buyers
• Provide documentation for compliance
• Educate internal teams with measurable goals
• Defend claims during audits or investor evaluations

Other Sustainability Certifications Relevant to Malaysian Manufacturers

While ISO 14001, ISCC PLUS, and GRS are among the most impactful certifications for industrial manufacturing and packaging, several other recognised frameworks may also benefit Malaysian manufacturers—depending on their industry focus, export requirements, and ESG objectives.

These additional certifications offer structured guidance to enhance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, while also strengthening brand credibility and global competitiveness.

1. MSPO – Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil

What it is:
 Malaysia’s national sustainability standard for palm oil, covering environmental protection, social responsibility, and good agricultural practices.

Who it’s for:
 Manufacturers in the food, cosmetics, or cleaning product sectors that use palm-derived ingredients.

2. RSPO – Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

What it is:
 A globally recognised certification promoting the sustainable production and use of palm oil through multi-stakeholder governance and transparent standards.

Who it’s for:
 Export-driven manufacturers needing to meet international sustainability expectations involving palm-based inputs.

3. ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems

What it is:
 An international standard that helps organisations systematically improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Who it’s for:
 Energy-intensive industries such as plastics, textiles, metals, and electronics.

Choosing the Right Certification Strategy

The ideal sustainability certification depends on factors such as:

• Industry type
• Target markets
• Supply chain requirements
• Specific sustainability priorities (e.g. energy efficiency, traceability, materials used)

Many manufacturers begin with ISO 14001 as a foundation and expand into more specialised certifications—such as ISCC PLUS for traceability or EcoVadis for ESG benchmarking—based on evolving business goals and stakeholder expectations.

Certifications are not one-size-fits-all, but when selected strategically, they work together to build a credible and competitive sustainability story.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability certifications like ISO 14001, ISCC PLUS, and GRS are no longer optional—they’re foundational for any manufacturer aiming to operate responsibly and transparently.

For forward-thinking companies, these certifications are more than regulatory checkboxes. They’re strategic assets that:

• Build trust with customers and stakeholders
• Drive operational improvements
• Align internal goals with global sustainability targets

As environmental standards evolve and expectations grow, manufacturers must prove they walk the talk. Certifications are the compass that keeps them on the right path—and for Thong Guan, they’re key pillars in building a justifiable and trusted sustainability journey.

In today’s packaging industry, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Companies are under growing pressure to meet environmental standards, reduce plastic waste, and deliver sustainable packaging solutions without compromising performance. That’s where Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Stretch Film steps in.

Among the leaders in this shift is PCR Film, a stretch film solution that balances environmental responsibility with high-performance load containment. But what exactly is PCR stretch film? How does it differ from traditional recycled stretch film? And why should you care?

Let’s break it all down in this educational and friendly guide to help you make informed, eco-conscious packaging decisions.

What is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Material?

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials are derived from plastic products that have already served their intended use and have been diverted from landfills through collection and recycling programs. Think water bottles, used stretch wraps, grocery bags, or packaging films that consumers throw away after use.

These plastics are:

• Collected through recycling channels,
• Cleaned and sorted,
• Processed into resin (PCR resin),
• And then converted into new products—like PCR packaging and stretch film.

By incorporating PCR resin into packaging solutions, manufacturers significantly reduce the use of virgin plastics and lower their environmental footprint.

PCR Film vs Recycled Stretch Film: What’s the Difference?

It’s common to hear “recycled stretch film” and “PCR stretch film” used interchangeably, but they’re not always the same. While both incorporate recycled content, the source material, processing, and performance levels differ significantly.

Let’s explore what sets PCR apart—and why Maxstretch Regen PCR Film, a 30% post-consumer recycled high-performance stretch film, leads the charge in balancing sustainability and stretch film performance.

What is Traditional Recycled Stretch Film?

Traditional recycled stretch film is typically made from post-industrial recycled (PIR) materials. These are manufacturing scraps and waste from production lines—clean, unused material that gets reintegrated back into the film extrusion process.

Key Characteristics of PIR-Based Recycled Film:

• Source: Factory floor waste, edge trims, roll rejections
• Processing: Easier to control as the material hasn’t been contaminated
• Quality: Consistent and relatively high due to known origin
• Sustainability Impact: Reduces internal waste, but does not address the larger issue of post-consumer plastic pollution

While PIR recycled film supports internal waste reduction and lowers raw material cost, it does not close the loop on the plastic lifecycle or directly reduce landfill contributions.

What is PCR Stretch Film?

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) stretch film, on the other hand, is made using plastics that have already gone through the consumer chain. These include:

• Discarded shrink wraps
• Grocery bags
• Used pallet films from distribution centres
• Agricultural or retail plastic films

The recovered plastics are cleaned, reprocessed into PCR resin, and incorporated into stretch films through advanced co-extrusion technologies.

Key Characteristics of PCR-Based Stretch Film:

• Source: Collected consumer plastic waste
• Processing: More complex (sorting, decontaminating, re-pelletising)
• Quality: Historically variable, but new tech like in Maxstretch Regen has overcome this
• Sustainability Impact: Closes the loop—directly contributes to a circular economy and waste diversion from landfills

This type of recycled content is increasingly recognised in environmental regulations and corporate ESG initiatives as a positive step toward sustainable packaging practices.

Feature	PCR Stretch Film	Traditional Recycled Film
Source	Post-consumer plastics (e.g. used packaging)	Often from post-industrial waste (factory scraps)
Environmental Benefit	Diverts waste from landfills, circular economy	Reduces internal waste, less landfill impact
Performance Reliability	High (with proper formulation & tech)	Moderate to high (depending on % used)
Quality of Resin	Requires advanced processing for consistency	Usually easier to control in production
Ideal Use	High-performance, eco-conscious packaging	Cost-saving, general use

Maxstretch Regen PCR Film stands out because it’s specifically formulated using high-quality PCR resin, offering reliable load stability while supporting your sustainability goals.

Introducing Maxstretch Regen: 30% PCR, 100% Performance

Maxstretch Regen PCR Film is a next-generation solution that sets a new benchmark in the industry. It is engineered with 30% post-consumer recycled content, offering a responsible choice that delivers reliable performance for high-load applications.

Unlike older recycled films that often compromised on tensile strength and load stability, Maxstretch Regen is manufactured using:

• Precision blending of PCR resin with premium virgin materials
• Advanced multi-layer extrusion for strength, clarity, and puncture resistance
• Strict quality standards to ensure consistent wrapping efficiency

This means you get the sustainability benefit of using 30% recycled plastic—without sacrificing the security of your palletised goods.

Why Choose Maxstretch Regen PCR Film?

When it comes to choosing the right stretch film for your operations, Maxstretch Regen doesn’t make you pick between performance and sustainability—it gives you both.

1. High Load Containment Strength

Despite its recycled content, Maxstretch Regen performs comparably to virgin stretch films. It provides:

• Excellent puncture resistance
• High stretchability
• Secure load containment
  This means fewer film breaks and better protection in transit—even for heavy or irregular pallet loads.

2. Reduces Carbon Footprint

Using PCR resin reduces the need for virgin plastic production, which in turn cuts:

• CO₂ emissions
• Energy consumption
• Petroleum resource use

In short, it’s a smart choice for companies tracking toward carbon neutrality or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals.

3. Supports Global Sustainability Goals

Switching to Maxstretch Regen helps align your brand with global initiatives such as:

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
• Corporate net-zero plastic or recycled content policies

This can also support your company’s marketing and reporting requirements on environmental performance.

How Is PCR Stretch Film Made?

Creating high-performance PCR stretch film like Maxstretch Regen requires advanced extrusion and blending technology. Here’s a simplified process overview:

1. Post-consumer plastics are collected and sorted.
2. These are washed, shredded, and reprocessed into PCR pellets (resin).
3. The PCR resin is blended with select virgin resins or performance additives.
4. The blend is extruded into stretch film using multi-layer co-extrusion to ensure consistency, strength, and clarity.

This results in a film that looks and performs close to conventional stretch film—while contributing to a circular economy.

Is PCR Stretch Film Right for Your Business?

If your business is aiming to reduce plastic usage without compromising on packaging integrity, the answer is yes.

Here are ideal scenarios where Maxstretch Regen PCR Film adds value:

• You have corporate sustainability reporting to fulfil.
• Your products require secure pallet wrapping for long-distance transport.
• You want to minimise plastic tax or EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) penalties in certain markets.
• You aim to reduce total plastic footprint without risking product damage.

How Do You Make the Switch to PCR Stretch Film?

Transitioning to PCR stretch film is easier than you think. Here’s how to get started:

1. Evaluate Your Current Usage

Audit your current stretch film consumption, load types, and wrapping processes.

2. Test Maxstretch Regen

Get sample rolls for internal testing. Our technical team can help run film trials to benchmark performance against your current solution.

3. Implement in Phases

Start with high-volume SKUs or warehouses with strong ESG targets.

4. Communicate the Impact

Track data on carbon savings, plastic reduction, and cost per pallet wrapped. Share these results with internal stakeholders and in external sustainability communications.

Final Thoughts

Using post-consumer recycled stretch film can offer environmental benefits while still meeting performance requirements. With solutions like Maxstretch Regen PCR Film, businesses can secure their loads, lower their plastic use, and move toward their sustainability goals—all in one go.

In a world that’s moving fast toward eco-conscious packaging, it’s time to wrap smarter, not just tighter.