Interpack 2023: Flexible Packaging Sustainability Moves Toward Mono-Materials and Paper-Based Recycling

Interpack stands as the packaging sector’s largest and most influential trade fair. It brings together a broad spectrum of materials, tailored solutions and innovative designs for industrial sectors, while leading suppliers use the event to demonstrate world-class, full-service capabilities.

In early May 2023, the fair took place at the Düsseldorf exhibition center in Germany. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, six years had passed since the previous edition. Over that interval, product packaging became a central issue for many brands—something the scale of the event reflected: 18 halls, 2,800 exhibitors and 140,000 visitors, many from overseas.

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Across global markets, packaging sustainability remains both a consumer priority and a persistent challenge for many brands.

Under the EU Green Deal and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, all packaging in the European Union must be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. That requirement places considerable pressure on brands and packaging manufacturers alike. In response, companies of all sizes across the value chain are pooling R&D know-how and joining forces. Such collaboration is delivering results and helping the packaging industry move closer to its sustainability targets.

At present, sustainable packaging trends are concentrated in two areas. The first is the continued strength of mono-material packaging.

Jindal Films introduced a new polypropylene (PP) mono-material intended to replace polyethylene-based laminate films. The globally leading specialty film producer presented Bicor oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, designed to help the flexible packaging market move away from non-recyclable laminates—those containing PET, aluminum/foil or paper—toward PP-based mono-material laminates suitable for mechanical recycling.

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Another “design for recycling” innovation for sustainable packaging is

oneBARRIER PrimeCycle. This polymer-based mono-material was developed by Bobst together with several partners. PrimeCycle is a polyethylene (PE) barrier film solution free of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and topcoat, and it can replace metallized polyester film. It combines recyclability with retained barrier performance. Bobst has opened its two large demonstration and competence centers in Europe to all actors to accelerate solutions for sustainable industrial packaging.

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A few days after the fair closed, packaging company Sabic announced an industry initiative. Along with several other companies, it committed to R&D projects aimed at more sustainable plastic waste treatment and both mechanical and chemical recycling.

Meanwhile, paper-based options are also being explored as a possible answer. Numerous companies displayed recyclable paper bags.

ProAmpac showcased a roadside-recyclable, heat-sealable paper packaging. It is also suitable for frozen food applications such as ready meals and vegetables, as well as certain dry food and secondary packaging uses such as confectionery.

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Plastic coatings traditionally used for protection and heat sealing often make finished packaging difficult to recycle. Several companies therefore rethought this approach.

Building on existing barrier paper, they added water-based coating for heat sealing and grease barrier agents. The resulting pouches are easier to recycle and help recover more fiber, responding to growing consumer and regulatory demand for easily recyclable packaging.

The breakthrough technologies and materials shown at the fair send a clear signal: only innovation can meet today’s sustainability expectations and keep businesses from being left behind by the market.

This article is based on a public report from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-379422.html