Flexible Packaging Eric Valette
“The inclusion of recycled content in PP films is on everybody’s wish list, but this is currently restricted by food compliance or the availability of food compliant materials e.g. Chemically recycled polymer,” says Eric. He adds: “There are
two main directions that have been driving the development of alternative, more
environmentally
friendly packaging materials: the need to replace aluminium and the interest in the barrier potential of paper. Until recently aluminium provided the optimal barrier protection from gas and light. However, today we know alternatives that offer similar protection, like AlOx, SiOX and metallisation coatings. On the other side, the consumer pressure on using natural packaging materials push the industry to further examine the barrier functionality of paper. “To answer these types of market demands, in 2021 Coveris launched the PaperBarrier Seal solution, an innovative paper-based packaging material offering protection against oxygen, vapour and aroma. Thanks to its unique paper coating, the material enables sealability whilst still remaining fully recyclable in existing paper streams. Offering the same product protection as plastic alternatives, PaperBarrier Seal additionally ensures comparable production efficiencies as standard packaging solutions,” he explains. Extending the shelf life of confectionery to reduce waste
is primarily done using high barrier packaging, which previously was an unrecyclable material, but Stephen says advancements in technology has now led to a better option. Stephen says: “Improvements in co-extrusion technology
have now enabled BOPP flexible films to be produced with high barrier EVOH, while still maintaining their recyclability. These can be used to replace PVdC coated films which are currently the film of choice in the barrier films market but are not recyclable. “High barrier metallised PP films are now also available as a foil replacement and therefore leads to mono material laminates that can be fully recycled, along with Cast PP, in the PP recycling stream. SiOx and Alox depositions are also gaining ground, but many technical and commercial difficulties still exist.”
Are the big brands doing their bit?
Big players like Mondelez International for example, are committing to sustainable practices when it comes to their packaging. They say: “Currently, over 75% of our packaging is paper-based, glass or metal– all of which are currently recycled or recyclable. The other portion of our packaging is mostly made up of flexible plastic films used to preserve foods and prevent food waste. By 2025, 100% of our packaging around the globe will be recyclable. In addition to the great impact this has on the environment, using less packaging provides an economic benefit by reducing material, transportation and disposal costs.”
KennedysConfection.com
Eco Flexibles bakes up sustainable packaging design for Lantmännen Unibake
UK headquartered sustainable flexible packaging business, Eco Flexibles, has supported renowned bakery product supplier to the retail, wholesale and food service sectors, Lantmännen Unibake, with the development of recyclable flexible packaging for its Schulstad Bake at Home range of products.
As sustainable packaging continues to dominate commercial
food and drink product development, Lantmännen sought to create fully recyclable packaging to both communicate the quality of the product and support its environmental agenda. In close collaboration, the Eco Flexibles team developed
and supplied a high-performing surface printed monopolymer film, despite the pressures of tight turnaround times and Covid-19 supply challenges. Simon Buswell, Sales & Marketing Director at Eco
Flexibles, explains: “Recyclability is front and centre for brands today, but flexible packaging has historically been a more complicated case with multiple substrate layers and adhesives. To close the loop, we champion bespoke high- performance monopolymer materials to help brands move away from the ‘take, make, waste’ linear packaging business model.
“The Schulstad Bake at Home line is a go-to household
name, and a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what our team can achieve and how fundamentally value-adding the right sustainability approach can be. The surface printed monopolymer film with matt lacquer is eye-catching and looks outstanding on the shelf! The fact our team was able to deliver at the height of the global pandemic is a real testament to our expertise.” The Schulstad Bake at Home range of packaging was
developed and printed with award-winning Asahi AWP™ water washable plates, which eliminate harmful VOC solvent washout from the prepress process. Aiming to dispel sustainable packaging myths, Eco
Flexibles seeks to show how sustainable packaging isn’t a compromise or concession – and can be aligned with the performance demands of today’s high-volume packaging. Paulina Gorska,
Marketing Manager at Lantmännen,
adds: “What was fundamental to this project was how Eco Flexibles took the time to really understand our business and our objectives. We are always looking at ways to make our business more sustainable, but we also need to bear in mind that security, speed and barrier performance are key. We need to deliver the exemplary quality that our products are known for. “What could have been a very challenging period for carrying out a large-scale packaging project was made simple. With a collaborative approach, we have retained the vibrancy and visual impact of our brand identity and the end result really captures attention on the shelf. We are also particularly pleased with the use of water-washable plate technologies, contributing to a CO2 reduction. From start to finish, a very impressive project!”
Kennedy’s Confection April 2022 33
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
