Sustainability

Targeting better performance

The team at Metsä Board’s Excellence Centre in Äänekoski, Finland started to work on the new alternative a few years ago. “We were looking to provide the same experience by remodeling a box that was strong and rigid but lighter and with a smaller environmental impact,” Ilkka Harju, Metsä Board’s Packaging Services Director explains.

The new packaging solution is a mono-material polyethylene (PE) laminate that can be used for a wide range of packaging formats. It can replace non-recyclable with recycle-ready lidding for 3D thermoformed packages, that are used for drapes and protective materials, catheters, as well as injection and tubing systems. Another application of the laminates would be in 2D pouches for products such as wound care materials and gloves.  

The theme of this year’s exhibition, from 13-16 November, is sustainability. Formpeel P is the latest addition to Coveris’ portfolio of sustainable materials, which also includes Formpeel T, Flexopeel T and Cleerpeel, and provides the same functionality and safety as traditional materials, while minimising packaging and product waste. 

India generates an alarming 9,400 tonnes of plastic waste daily, much of which ends up in landfills or waterways. Despite recycling 60 percent of its waste, unmanaged plastic waste continues to pollute terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This plastic waste includes a wide array of items such as packaging films, wrapping materials, shopping and garbage bags, fluid containers, clothing, toys, and building materials.

West London materials innovation startup Aeropowder has secured a £150,000 investment from British Design Fund.

The company is launching thermal packaging made from surplus feathers as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics and other harmful materials. The packaging is designed for use in the life sciences industry and cold chain logistics.

• Borealis receives two Letters of No Objection from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that allow its Borcycle™ M post-consumer recycled plastics to be used in food-grade packaging in countries covered by FDA governance
• The move supports Borealis to meet growing demand for high-quality recycled materials suitable for demanding and contact-sensitive applications
• The decision marks a significant step forward in Borealis’ EverMinds™ ambition to accelerate action on plastics circularity

Borcycle M is Borealis’ transformational mechanical recycling t