Ampacet and Borealis Address Recycled Content Challenges in Rigid Plastic Packaging
Ampacet and Borealis are at the forefront of addressing challenges associated with incorporating recycled content into rigid plastic packaging, driven by regulatory pressures and circular economy goals. Experts from both companies emphasize the need for improved recyclability and recycling technologies to create sustainable solutions.
François Thibeau, strategic business manager at Ampacet, highlights the dual nature of the current landscape: a rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions with higher recycled content, alongside challenges such as thermal degradation affecting material quality. Ampacet’s ThermProtect PET range aims to enhance the performance of recycled PET (rPET) by stabilizing the polymer during processing, thus allowing for increased rPET usage without compromising aesthetics or functionality.
Borealis, through its Borcycle C portfolio, offers chemically recycled polyolefins that meet food-contact compliance and can replace conventional fossil-based polypropylene. Jos van Haastrecht, Borealis’ global communications lead, notes that these materials have been successfully implemented in various food packaging applications, ensuring reliable performance while supporting sustainability goals.
The introduction of advanced stabilizing masterbatches like ThermProtect PET is crucial for maintaining the intrinsic properties of rPET, addressing issues such as yellowing and mechanical strength loss during recycling. This innovation supports circular economy initiatives by reducing reliance on virgin plastics and promoting closed-loop systems.
Borealis’ commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated through its ISCC PLUS certified materials, which ensure traceability and compliance with regulations like the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The company’s collaboration with partners, such as Neste, facilitates the conversion of hard-to-recycle waste into high-quality feedstock, thereby lowering the carbon footprint associated with plastic production.
Despite the advancements, both companies acknowledge the challenges in consumer understanding of chemical recycling processes and the need for transparent communication. Initiatives like QR codes on packaging, as seen in Valio’s Oivariini butter-blend spread, aim to educate consumers about the benefits and processes behind recycled materials.
As the market trends shift towards substantiated sustainability, the collaboration between Ampacet and Borealis exemplifies the industry’s commitment to innovation and responsible practices in rigid plastic packaging.