Packaging manufacturer Innovia Films has expanded its portfolio with the launch of floatable polyolefin shrink films.
RayoFloat white APO is a low-density white polyolefin that maintains floatability when printed. Its opacity enhances light blocking, suitable for shrink sleeves for light-sensitive industries such as dairy, food supplements, nutritional products and cosmetics.
The new film facilitates easy separation and removal of labels from PET bottles and other plastic containers during recycling. It automatically detaches during sorting and recycling in the sink/float process, ensuring a high yield of high-quality PET flakes for food-grade recycling. The film also contains up to 20% post-industrial recycled content, supporting a closed-loop system in production facilities.
Simon Huber, managing director of Innovia Europe, said: “We have seen a need in the market to create an opaque film that floats and can be combined with transparent PET bottles. Many light-sensitive products are packed in HDPE bottles that are not recycled back into food-grade packaging – at least not at the moment. This innovation is a game changer and can enable dairy brands and other companies that have light-sensitive products to switch to a transparent PET bottle that can and will be recycled back into food-grade packaging – closing the loop.“
Lucija Kralj, Innovia’s business unit director labels EMEA, added: “The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive that is being created by the EU will be a big driver of Design for Recycling. As all packaging will need to be recyclable by 2030 and certain recycled content targets will be mandatory, a transparent PET bottle with a floatable sleeve that automatically detached during sorting and recycling is the ideal solution. We have patented the film solution that will be manufactured in Poland but will be available globally.”
