UK – Netherlands-based chemical company, LyondellBasell has partnered with German chemical and consumer goods supplier Henkel to develop new technology to make re-closable packaging more convenient for consumers.
The improved reopen/reclose properties of the new packaging solution are due to LyondellBasell’s plastomer-based Henkel hotmelt adhesive.
The final hotmelt adhesive produced by Henkel has a special composition that enables it to keep the correct reopening and reclosure capabilities on amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and polyolefin trays even after several repetitions.
LyondellBasell said the re-closable packaging is easy to use and keeps food fresh for longer periods.
In addition, the technology minimizes moisture gain and loss, microbiological development and taste deterioration in the food.
LyondellBasell Technical Service Manager Stefano Pasquali said: “Besides the processing advantages, plastomers bring additional benefits to the end user.
“One characteristic that distinguishes our plastomer solution from traditionally used solutions is its low odor.”
Pasquali added: “This is especially important for food packaging. It is also one of the main ingredients which allow it to make the packaging very easy to open and reclose, over and over again.
“We are proud that our solution contributes to an improved consumer experience while reducing food waste.”
Henkel concluded that this approach was superior to earlier technology in terms of benefits.
Henkel Product Development Packaging Adhesives Europe head Dirk Kasper said: “It’s the first time we are using this type of solution for re-closable packaging.
“Thanks to its product design, our re-closable hotmelt provides processing advantages compared with current market alternatives.
“This is about its very good compatibility with coextruded materials such as polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) and stable film-blowing. Additionally, it shows long-lasting re-closability properties.”
According to LyondellBasell, re-closable packaging is becoming more and more common since it is simple to use and extends the shelf life of food.
The new packaging will help reduce the amount of food waste in the UK. According to business waste, the UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year, 70% of which is intended for human consumption.
To achieve the UN’s SDG of halving food waste by 2030, the UK has to further reduce food waste by 1.8 Mt, 1.3 Mt from homes and over half a million tonnes from across the supply chain.
With the help of effective packaging designs and innovations such as re-closable packaging coupled with consumer awareness programs, the UK and entire Europe might have just found solutions to the menace.
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