INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has successfully commissioned a new pilot line that will allow it to co-develop recyclable flexible packaging films.
The multi-million euro investment is predicted to prevent approximately one million tonnes of waste being sent to landfill per year.1
The multilayer, blown film line has been installed at INEOS’ research and development centre in Brussels, Belgium and enables customers to carry out full-scale tests without losing production capacity on their own lines.
The first collaborative projects have already begun, which can be applied directly to customer production lines.
Flexibility is key
Flexible films provide lightweight, low emission packaging for transporting goods, which can help to prolong the shelf life of food products.
Although this is true, a majority of packaging films combine different polymers, making the film significantly more difficult to recycle.
Therefore, INEOS began making simpler films with the same performance, facilitating their recycling whilst also meeting the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, Rob Ingram, said: “Flexible packaging films play a valuable role in society, but we recognise and share people’s concerns about plastic waste. Every day we work alongside stakeholders across the value chain who share our commitment to a circular economy, developing more sustainable solutions to consumers’ needs. Fully recyclable films are a big development, and are a necessary step in trying to make our business more environmentally conscious.”
The technology, supplied by Hosokawa Alpine, heats and stretches polymer films to improve their physical and barrier properties, enabling them to be used in different product applications.
Reference
1 Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging, 2016.