Bio-based packaging

Blond created reusable and refillable packaging that is both long-lasting and 100% recyclable at the end of its life cycle. Consumers can buy their essentials without any packaging waste by using the reusable pots. They then can be decanted, stored and later collected and washed by Dizzie.

Looking at the principles of the circular economy, Blond carried out holistic research into the packaging landscape and worked with Dizzie to design a packaging system that would ultimately save warehouse space and reduce the carbon footprint of deliveries.

They have been working on producing the material for eight years and it has been designed to replace conventional plastic packaging. It is composed of polyurethane foam and dissolves in seawater and land-based composts. The researchers worked alongside marine biologists to test the material in natural nearshore ecosystems, which is where disposed plastic is most likely to end up.

However, unfortunately, conventional cling film is often not recycled. This, for example, can be due to food contamination or restraints within collection or recycling systems.

Now, global flexible packaging and lidding films supplier KM Packaging has introduced a new alternative – home-compostable C-Cling.

Microline also believes strongly in the use of new environmentally-sustainable materials. For this reason, it has partnered with Slovenian company Di Mucci d.o.o., an undertaking that boasts consolidated know-how in the development and manufacture of compostable film for packaging applications. The purpose is to study the machinability of the materials on machines intended for packaging.

The project: testing use under production conditions

Rapidly expanding to accommodate demand from multinational food chains, major supermarkets and Britain’s NHS, UK-based innovator Cullen Packaging has unveiled a next generation, sustainable alternative to plastic bottles and pouches. Called simply ‘The Fibre Bottle’ it is designed for dry goods and enables brands producing goods such as vitamins, supplements, dry foods, homecare and horticultural products to remove 270m single-use plastic bottles or pouches from shelves per year.

As a business that has sustainability at its core, creating a second life for valuable resources and materials that are considered challenging to recycle is hugely rewarding for us. We’re delighted to be part of Roadchef’s commitment to drive circular solutions that reduce waste, which is very much aligned with our own commitment to the war on waste through world class fibre blend innovation. Using our CupCycling expertise we are able to transform the paper cups that are used in their service stations into beautiful new papers for stationery and packaging.

The Consumer Health Division of Bayer, which owns global brands including Aspirin, Bepanthen, Claritin, and Elevit, has collaborated with partner, yet2, to launch a sustainable packaging Innovation Challenge. Bayer invites innovators and technologists to share sustainable packaging materials, including biodegradable or compostable, flexible and rigid packaging solutions, for use in packaging Bayer’s consumer healthcare products. This challenge will accelerate Bayer’s efforts to reach a target of 100% of Consumer Health packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2030.

MGA Entertainment makes the popular toy "LOL Surprise!" and says this fall 65% of the dolls will be in paper-based compostable packaging, instead of plastic. The company estimates the switch will eliminate 3 metric tons of plastic.

MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian says they also adapted their "Little Tikes" race care set. The cardboard box the set is sold in folds out 50 feet and becomes part of the racetrack. "When kids or parents are finished with it, they just put it back in and it becomes storage," Larian says.

PACCOR started the testing with the 100% Bio-PP together with Orkla in its Finnish production site in Hämeenlinna. The material is composed from renewable resources and follows the ISCC certified mass balance principle – a chemical industry standard for managing and tracing sustainability characteristics of circular and/or bio-based materials in a complex value chain. In addition to the site in Finland, the PACCOR production site in Ravensburg, Germany, also has ISCC certification.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has expanded its offering of sustainable tape backing solutions by launching a complete product range for pressure-sensitive packaging tape applications.

MasterTape Pack is a sustainable fiber-based alternative to plastic packaging tapes with high bio-based contents. It offers excellent internal cohesion and mechanical properties for shock-resistant tapes, making it ideal for light/medium or even heavy-duty packaging.