Dow and Want-Want boost China’s circular plastics economy with zero-solvent solutions

13 Jul 2022 --- Dow has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of China’s leading F&B groups, Want-Want, to drive zero-solvent emissions and develop a circular economy for flexible packaging. 

The agreement aims to deepen value-chain partner collaborations with customized adhesives solutions to address industry needs for more environmentally sustainable packaging.

“Solvents are a significant source of pollution and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This partnership allowed Dow to enable Want-Want’s dedication to sustainability by using environmentally-friendly laminating adhesives for its flexible packaging while exploring opportunities to adopt recyclable packaging across more products under its portfolio,” Jayne Wong, global adhesives business director at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, tells PackagingInsights. 

“Investing in sustainability is an ongoing process; this significant step with Want-Want can help both parties optimize sustainability roadmaps in the long run,” adds Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. 

“We will continue to drive innovative solutions and support more partners in achieving their sustainability goals.”

Dow has identified adhesives as an important sector that can help reduce emissions and enable a circular economy. Power to the adhesives 
Wong explains that the technology to manufacture solvent-based adhesives is well established in the industry. “Hence, to make the shift to water-based and subsequently solventless adhesives, there are several factors other than developing new technology – modifying or purchasing new machinery, fine-tuning of parameters, formulation and application know-how, as well as updating operational disciplines, to name a few.”

“Dow and Want-Want worked closely together to leverage Dow’s capabilities in materials science to overcome these challenges with a common goal to ensure a smooth transition to eco-friendly adhesives solutions.”

Dow has identified adhesives as an important sector that can help reduce emissions and enable a circular economy. 

“Not only are we advancing [environmentally] sustainable packaging on a larger scale, we are also exploring benefits such as efficiency optimization and energy savings, supporting customers in reducing carbon footprint during production and transportation processes.”

The signing of the MoU agreement aligns with Dow’s sustainability goals for carbon neutrality by 2050 and supports Want-Want’s environmental sustainability goals to achieve carbon neutrality and adopt recyclable packaging for all products. 

“To tackle climate change and create long-term value, we have an important part to play as one of China’s largest F&B companies to establish an environmentally-friendly value chain – that encourages our consumers to make positive changes for the planet,” says Yongmei Cao, general manager of operations at Want-Want Group. 

“Solving sustainability challenges is not a one-man nor a one-organization job but it also falls on the shoulders of all stakeholders. We are encouraged by the reality that we can offer our customers’ products that are enveloped by Dow’s sustainable packaging innovation.”

Chinese consumer demand
At the end of last year, China announced new restrictions on excessive packaging, requiring all food and cosmetics producers to adhere to specific guidelines determining the volume of packaging allowed in proportion to a product. 

According to Innova Market Insights, 37% of Chinese consumers say sustainable packaging influences their purchasing decisions, with most regarding packaging-related aspects, followed by packaging hygiene and shelf life. 

“There is a clear trend of shifting into [environmentally] sustainable adhesives solutions in China. This is one of the reasons the demand for environmentally-friendly solutions have increased in recent years,” asserts Wong.

“As market leaders, both Dow and Want-Want are leading the way in advocacy for [environmentally] sustainable packaging solutions in the adhesives and food sector, respectively. This partnership brings us closer and sets the standard in the industry for sustainable packaging,” she concludes.

By Natalie Schwertheim