Mondi and Dow partner on carbon-reduced monomaterial packaging for Essity’s feminine care range
10 Aug 2022 --- Mondi is working with Dow to develop new, recyclable secondary packaging for Essity’s feminine care products to limit the usage of fossil-based materials.
Previously, Essity’s feminine care towels were packaged in bags made of 50% “sustainable” materials. However, after conducting in-depth analysis and testing, Mondi came up with a new suggestion in line with Essity’s packaging objectives.
These objectives include the company’s goal to use 100% recyclable materials and utilize up to 85% biomass, renewable, or recycled material in all bags, with up to 25% made of recycled plastic.
The new packaging leverages Mondi’s new monomaterial, ensuring that the feminine care range is easily recyclable. It is also made up of renewable materials, a by-product from paper making, and post-consumer recycled content.
Mondi says the design doesn’t trade-off the packaging performance for a reduced amount of plastic, which is advantageous as only 30% of consumers globally are willing to compromise product protection for a plastic reduction in packaging, according to Innova Market Insights.
The packaging helps to achieve Essity’s environmental sustainability targets by utilizing a renewable material and by-product from the paper industry created from circular feedstock based on the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification mass balance technique.
Additionally, the packaging includes mechanically-recycled post-consumer material. For this solution, Mondi collaborated with longtime supplier Dow and other businesses along the value chain to identify the ideal resin composition, resulting in an extruded film that is printed on and converted into a bag.
The solution offers the same high level of protection as the prior option, stops moisture and light from harming the feminine care line, has strong sealing properties, and is touted to produce “exceptional” print quality to maintain on-shelf appeal for Essity’s European-recognized brands, such as Bodyform, Libresse, Nana, and Nuvenia.
Mondi’s new monomaterial used in the packaging ensures that the feminine care range is easily recyclable.
No efficiency compromise
Marjo Kuisma, regional sales for consumer flexibles at Mondi, elaborates on the issues faced during the development of the packaging. She says that “the challenge was to find the best combination of renewable and recycled content that maintains product quality and the production efficiency already enjoyed by Essity.”
Furthermore, the company says it “tested several options before finding the most suitable solution.” She explains that working in collaboration with Essity and Dow, Mondi validated its EcoSolutions approach.
“We go back to the start and ask the right questions to ensure we create the best possible solution for our customers.”
Mondi making moves
Mondi recently reported revenue and profit increases in its Half Year 2022 financial results, celebrating a “strong performance” across the business. The paper and packaging giant recorded underlying EBITDA from continuing operations (excluding Russian operations) of €942 million (US$964.7 million), up 66% compared to the previous year.
CEO of Mondi, Andrew King, attributes the Group’s strong performance to its “vertical integration, organizational agility and strong customer collaborations, ensuring timely deliveries amid disrupted global supply chains.”
Another recent collaboration saw Mondi create a recyclable, lightweight packaging solution for Japanese consumer goods manufacturer Kao’s Goldwell hair lightening products. The packaging company supplied flexible, re-closable stand-up pouches made of recyclable monomaterial for the powdered products.
The new stand-up pouch reduces plastic usage without compromising strength and durability and supports Kao and its salon business in its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.
By Mieke Meintjes
