USA – Chemical company Dow has partnered with Klöckner Pentaplast to develop KP Flexivac, a multi-layer recyclable vacuum film that has been certified 100% recyclable as PE by recycling center cyclos–HTP and recycling alliance Interseroh.
The product uses Dow‘s Fusabond technology, allowing the film to be recyclable without compromising performance and aesthetics.
Dow senior marketing manager Laurent Ziché explains: “Our compatibilizer offering enables the recyclability of barrier films, which is the first step towards a circular economy for food packaging flexible films.”
KP Flexivac’s high tensile strength is suitable for packaging bone-in fresh meat and poultry cuts. Combined with its hermetical seal, the films offer food protection and safety throughout the supply chain.
This partnership comes at a time when food packaging market is growing, registering 2,071.4 billion units in 2022 and is expected to reach 2,337.8 billion units in 2027 at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2022-27.
Additionally, flexible packaging was the most used pack material, accounting for 53.1% globally.
Klöckner Pentaplast serves the pharmaceutical, medical device and protein markets and its films are used in box-making, metalizing and thermoforming applications.
Dow’s product portfolio is comprised of plastics, performance materials, coatings, silicones and industrial intermediates.
The company recently collaborated with bioconversion company New Energy Blue on a sustainable plastic initiative and with Procter & Gamble China (P&G China) for recyclable air capsules for e-commerce packaging.
Dow, P&G China partnership
Last month, Dow inked a deal with Procter & Gamble China (P&G China) for an air capsule e-commerce packaging.
The pack is made from ELITE AT PE resins from Dow, which enables recyclability and replaces traditional, multi-material alternatives.
Its mono-PE structure also offers high gas barrier performance and allows manufacturers to phase nylon out of their packaging, the companies claim.
The entire pack serves as ‘safe and reliable’ cushion protection – an alternative to the standard e-commerce solution of carton box outer packaging and air cushion bags or bubble wrap wrapped around the product.
Designed for reliability and convenience, the solution offers a tamper-free opening to increase the security of the pack.
Its easy-to-tear strip and auto-deflate feature intend to facilitate easy opening and disposal. Due to its reduced weight, the pack claims to require 25% of original trucking and 75% less warehouse space.
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