Coating & Laminating Combining sustainability and functionality
with coating and laminating solutions Pierangelo Brambilla, product director, global laminating adhesives & cold- seals at Sun Chemical, says sustainability topics, such as renewability and recyclability, are the new drivers in packaging
S
ustainability is one of the biggest challenges of our age and something governments and corporations around the world are focusing on with
increasing priority.
As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of packaging, brand owners, converters and suppliers are facing increased pressure to provide more sustainable solutions. Coatings and laminating solutions can aid converters and brand owners to achieve their business goals.
Throughout the industry, we are seeing a move from multi material to mono-material packaging, aiming to improve the recyclability of the packaging post-consumption. Mono- material packaging is made of a single type of material, which makes it easier to recycle. Product packaging is shifting towards mono-materials for better recyclability. However, this type of packaging can reduce functionality and food protection.
This is where special barrier coatings and adhesives – such as Sun Chemical’s SunBar Aerobloc and barrier laminating adhesives such as SunBar Paslim – can be applied to restore functionality to these mono- materials, allowing for increased recyclability without sacrificing performance.
Sun Chemical’s SunBar portfolio
of barrier coatings includes gas barrier, moisture barrier, UV barrier, mineral oil barrier and the technology can often be tailored to provide protection against a variety of other materials. SunBar products can be combined with the two-in-one mechanism adhesive, offering further gas barrier enhancement and mechanical functionality of the package. By combining the barrier coating and barrier laminating adhesive, Sun Chemical offers a modular solution to meet various barrier performance in function of the type of food packaged inside, from dry food to human and pet food retort applications. This ensures that packaging can be much more sustainable, without the performance or functionality being affected.
Sun Chemical barrier coatings and adhesives
Sun Chemical’s expertise in its coating and adhesive products and how they perform when they are combined together is what makes its solutions unique. Many suppliers offer barrier coatings or adhesives separately, resulting in converters having to test the products’ functionality when paired together. Another key trend is the movement towards bio-based and responsibly-sourced materials within product structures, which results in substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. Sun Chemical’s SunCure Coatings feature patented use of r-PET based resin within the formulation of specific products within the range, along with high bio-sourced content materials in addition to the recycled content. The coatings therefore have elevated
are also valid for not only mono-material plastic packaging, but also for industrial compostable and fibre-based (paper and board) packaging. A complete solution of protective coatings, providing oil, grease and water resistance can be integrated with the gas barrier coating and adhesive capability (heat and cold seal) in order to functionalise the paper and improve its recyclability. In the past, raw materials and supply chain issues have posed challenges for the packaging industry. While light weighting has played a key role in packaging, it’s important to note that Sun Chemical’s approach of combining the coating and laminating adhesive has also been an effective alternative to overcome the shortage of raw materials.
While the transition from multi material to mono-material takes place, it is important that the same shelf life is maintained as before, as well as performance.
sustainability, while also being cost effective when using r-PET based resin alone. Sun Chemical is actively engaged with European associations to validate its solutions in terms of recyclability and generate products appropriately for the market, with a key focus on recyclability and resistibility. Sun Chemical remains aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development through its own sustainability goals, and the company continues to work with partners, associations and industry leaders to drive forward sustainable solutions and create a more circular economy. Sun Chemical has produced a sustainable growth guide on this. This guide on how to become more sustainable is based on the 5Rs: reuse, reduce, renew, recycle, and redesign. By adopting these principles, businesses can play a crucial role in reducing waste, lowering global CO2 emissions, cutting costs, boosting growth, and improving public perception.
This is why paper flexible packaging is key in the global drive for sustainability. It is an inherently more sustainable format than rigid cartons and boxes as it consumes less energy and fewer materials during production and transport. It allows for a higher product-to- package ratio, meaning less air is shipped in transit. And it serves consumer demands to put an end to over-packaging, making for a naturally engaging on-shelf presence.
The advances in material science mean that, for many applications, flexible packaging offers the same mechanical strength and product protection qualities as rigid equivalents in many applications. Products like coffee, laundry detergent, and pet food can be packed and shipped more efficiently using flexible packaging without any increased risk of defects occurring through the supply chain. It means paper-based flexible packaging solutions – having been first employed thousands of years ago – are once again in the spotlight as the packaging solutions of the future. By treating this ancient material with cutting-edge technology, the packaging industry can affect real change in the fight against plastic waste.
38
March 2023
www.convertermag.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
