UK – Polymer technology firm Aquapak has signed a distribution deal with Resinex, a pan-European plastics and rubbers distribution company for barrier packaging technology.
Under this agreement, Resinex will distribute Aquapak’s Hydropol on an exclusive basis as a barrier film in all European countries, except Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Aquapak says that the barrier packaging market in Europe is worth £430 million (US$505 million), presenting a “huge market opportunity.”
Resinex has committed to purchasing a minimum of 8,000 metric tons of Hydropol over the next three years based on annual targets.
The Hydropol polymer enables product design to provide essential functionality while increasing recycling and reducing plastic pollution.
The EU Plastics Strategy requires all packaging to be recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030.
When extrusion coated or laminated onto paper, Hydropol adds strength and barriers to oxygen, oil and grease, and its solubility allows 100% paper fiber recovery through paper recycling mills.
As well as being biodegradable and compostable, it is non-toxic to the environment and marine safe, so it still has a safe end of life if it is not disposed of as intended.
The announcement comes at a time when the most widely used oxygen barrier, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), is currently in short supply worldwide and is only available through limited market channels.
Aquapak has developed its Hydropol technology, based on Polyvinylalcohol (PVOH) for use as a highly functional oxygen barrier capable of replacing EVOH in many applications, and therefore fits well into Resinex’s product range of polymers used in barrier packaging.
Resinex will also be named as a distributor on an exclusive basis for other applications for Hydropol and with certain customers where Resinex has particularly strong commercial relationships, and on a non-exclusive basis for other applications.
Alessio Patanè, Commercial Director, Resinex, comments: “We are delighted to be partnering with Aquapak at this exciting time of Aquapak’s development, and to be able to supply Hydropol to our extensive customer base in Europe.
“There is an urgent need for new barrier materials to be used alongside EVOH, and we look forward to using this exciting new material to work with our customers, and in providing additional environmental packaging solutions.”
Commenting on the agreement, Mark Lapping, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapak, said: “This opportunity represents a major strategic step forward for Aquapak and its ability to accelerate the growth of product sales in Europe, starting with the 60,000 metric tonnes per annum barrier packaging market in Europe.”
“Hydropol offers a sustainable alternative to other forms of plastic packaging without any compromise when it comes to functionality, so we anticipate growing demand,” he concluded.
Liked this article? Subscribe to our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s packaging and printing industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
