One of the key elements of the circular economy is recycling and its role in keeping materials in the production cycle. According to the new “2020 Trends and Developments in Food Packaging and Processing” report,
almost two out of three food manufacturing companies are looking for recyclable packaging solutions, and an overwhelming proportion within the study developed at least one major change to their packaging materials.
By 2030, all plastic packaging within the EU should be recyclable or reusable. Flexible packaging made of mono-materials has become one way to achieve this goal.
Flexible plastic packaging is a growing packaging industry segment. According to one study, total worldwide sales of flexible packaging will grow at an average annual rate of 3.3%, reaching $269 billion by 2024.
Whether it’s rubbish bags, shopping bags, films, liners or wrappers, the benefits of flexible packaging for both manufacturers and consumers are significant. Flexible packaging protects the quality and package content integrity while offering unparalleled functionality. Compared to rigid packaging alternatives, such as glass and metal, flexible plastic packaging demonstrates better performance when it comes to sustainability parameters, such as reducing carbon footprint.
However, while rigid materials are mainly based on mono-materials (100% glass composites, aluminium, etc.), flexible materials have traditionally been multi-materials. Multi-material rejection during the recycling process reduces their benefits. Furthermore, multi-material recycling has limited application due to its inferior quality.
The mono-materials we apply at Walki Plasbel
At Walki Plasbel we are committed to the circular economy, so we always aim to develop novel solutions that are more easily recycled and produce higher quality recyclates, such as mono-materials.
The monomaterials we work with in Walki Plasbel are:
PP (monolayer)
PE (monolayer)
OPP+OPP
MDO+PE (MDO is a type of PE with applied technology)
100% monomaterial Walki Plasbel packaging. Designed for recyclability and substitution of complex materials, allowing the film thickness to be reduced without losing properties.
These monomaterials improve recyclability. Monomaterials are a revolutionary logical and ecological evolution in packaging industry. At first glance, the method is surprisingly simple: the choice of a single environmentally friendly monomaterial allows for selective sorting and optimal recycling. After recycling, they start a second life as flexible packaging. This process can be repeated in an environmentally friendly manner over the long term.
Advantages of mono-materials
Reducing the ecological footprint should not have negative consequences for cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Monomaterials overcome these obstacles and offer us these advantages:
- Easier to recycle.
- Lower energy and resource consumption in the manufacturing process.
- Reduced costs, as the production process is simplified by producing packaging with a single material.
- Protects the quality and package content integrity.
- Aesthetically pleasing, making it attractive for packaging.
- Flexible in every sense of the word and therefore suitable for multi-sided printing, lamination and efficient transport.
