SWEDEN – Global packaging solutions provider Amcor has partnered with Swedish coffee roaster Löfbergs to develop mono-material coffee packaging with 55% reduced carbon footprint for both chemical and mechanical recycling.
Löfbergs’ new coffee pouch uses Amcor’s AmPrima Recycle-Ready packaging solution and it claims to preserve the flavor and aroma of the coffee inside.
Designed according to the Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) guidelines, the pouch is certified by the Institute cyclos-HTP for recyclability in the real world and can be recycled in most European countries.
With the companies collaborating in every aspect of the pouch’s design, from the development process to testing its recyclability, the product is expected to contribute to their respective sustainability goals.
“More sustainable packaging should not compromise on quality,” said Trevor Davis, marketing director of Amcor Flexibles EMEA.
“This pack responds to consumer demand for packaging that is easier to recycle while preserving coffee’s aroma at its best.
“Our AmPrima material was able to run at the same machine speeds as non-recyclable versions and has the potential to replace over 200 current non-recyclable coffee packaging specifications.”
Löfbergs says it was one of the first European coffee producers to remove aluminum from coffee packaging 25 years ago.
Continuing its journey, the company phased out large amounts of fossil-based plastic in its packaging, replacing it with bio-based alternatives in 2019. It has now moved to recycle-ready packaging.
Madelene Breiling, head of operational development at Löfbergs, added: “This is an amazing step forward – not just for us, but for the entire coffee industry. The new pack has a 55% reduced carbon footprint compared to our previous coffee packaging.
“We will keep driving initiatives like this one and invite other players, both within and outside the industry to join us, to achieve our goal of zero waste by 2030.”
Meanwhile, Amcor says it is on the path to fulfilling its pledge to develop all its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025, with 83% of its flexible packaging portfolio available in recycle-ready solutions today.
Last month, Amcor and Nfinite Nanotechnology announced a joint research project to validate Nfinite’s nanocoating technology to advance recyclable and compostable packaging.
The two companies aim to deliver an oxygen barrier to improve performance and optimize manufacturing.
In the first proof-of-concept phase, the project researchers are applying Nfinite’s coating technology to Amcor’s existing recyclable and compostable packaging material to enhance performance for the same.
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