Monitoring & metering
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING CAN BE A BIT LIKE ‘WHACK-A-MOLE’
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as analysers are performing a vital role for packaging manufacturers looking to check the environmental performance of their latest products as they seek
new ways to develop sustainable packaging. Signal Group, the UK based manufacturer of gas analysers, has seen a particular increase in demand for its continuous VOC measurement instruments in the packaging sector. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are emitted during the manufacture of many packaging production processes, but these harmful pollutants are tightly regulated so continuous monitoring is necessary. In addition, it would not be possible, for example, to label a recyclable product as more sustainable if it caused an increase in VOC emissions. “The packaging industry is currently under enormous pressure,” explains Signal MD James Clements. “Firstly, most of the major players have made commitments under their ESG policies to improve the sustainability of their products. They
are doing this because their customers demand it, consumers want it, and of course it’s the right thing to do, but sustainability means different things to different people,” he says. “Secondly, new regulations such as the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are strongly encouraging packaging manufacturers to increase the use of recycled materials and to develop recyclable and reusable products.” According to a recent McKinsey report: “The global packaging sector continues to be attractive and is expected to grow faster than global GDP. Industry demand for—or at least interest in piloting— sustainable packaging is also rising as a result of pledges by companies across the value chain to reduce material use, increase circularity, and make more use of recycled materials.”
However, as James Clements explains: “It’s not as simple as that. Yes, waste reduction is enormously important, but the development of new packaging products can be a bit like
‘whack-a-mole’ because sustainability objectives also include other important factors such as carbon footprint and environmental emissions. “Whilst seeking to develop new, more sustainable and recyclable products, packaging companies are also looking to ensure that they do not inadvertently increase their emissions of pollutants such as VOCs, and this where we are seeing a large increase in demand for continuous analysers,” he adds.
VOC SOURCES
VOCs are released by a variety of packaging manufacture processes. Plastics, resins, fibres, textiles, elastomers, solvents, pigments, adhesives and many other products can be manufactured from fossil fuels, chemicals, catalysts and recycled materials, but many of the processes by which these materials are transformed into packaging result in VOC emissions. During polymerisation, for example, unreacted monomers and residual catalysts can be released as VOCs. In addition, the chemicals that are added to the polymers can also be volatile and become
November 2025 Instrumentation Monthly
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