Huhtamaki launches “next-gen” tube laminates in advanced recycling collaboration

02 Aug 2021 --- Huhtamaki is launching the “next generation” of tube laminates for the cosmetics and food sectors in partnership with LyondellBasell, Plastuni Lisses and Groupe Rocher.

Containing 40 percent recycled content from renewable plastic sources, the collaboration says the launch makes a significant contribution to the circular economy. 

Jens Pilzecker, head of global tube laminates at Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging, tells PackagingInsights of the challenges of creating the new laminates. 

“The main difficulties we faced were related to the quality and certifications of recycled content. These were overcome by advanced recycling from LyondellBasell and joint development of the resin fitting to the application together.” 

Working across the value chain, each partner in the collaboration contributed separate elements of the development process: LyondellBasell as the resin supplier; Huhtamaki as the laminate manufacturer; Plastuni Lisses as the tube maker and the leading cosmetics, home care and apparel company; Groupe Rocher as the brand owner.

Huhtamaki says it is aiming at sourcing all its material from recycled content.Advanced recycling materials 
To increase recycled content, the company used resins from LyondellBasell’s CirculenRenew polymers, which are produced with renewable feedstock from bio-based sources from waste and residues such as used cooking oil, using a mass balance approach. These are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus standard.

“Reaching 100 percent recycled content is, of course, the target, and we continue development work together with LyondellBasell to get the complete structure with recycled material,” Pilzecker says. 

“Our new tube laminates make a real contribution to further enhancing the circularity of flexible packaging while reducing CO2 by replacing fossil by renewables.” 

PackagingInsights recently discussed the use of advanced recycling with a Rabobank strategist, who predicts advanced recycling plants to double to around 140 plants globally by 2025 as regulatory and public demand for recycled plastics packaging drives “huge” investment. 

Huhtamaki’s environmental efforts 
Huhtamaki has recently been making strides toward improving its environmental sustainability credentials. 

In January, Huhtamaki and Stora Enso touted new scientific evidence finding paper-based single-use products more environmentally responsible than reusable tableware in European quickservice restaurants. 

A Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Ramboll and released by the European Paper Packaging Association suggested these advantages are primarily driven by the carbon emissions related to the amount of energy required to wash the tableware and freshwater used in the washing process in a multi-use system.

In April, the company created a catalog of 100 home delivery packaging designs to bring a broad range of environmentally sustainable options to the growing e-commerce market. The new product range is designed to serve food delivery and on-the-go operators.

By Louis Gore-Langton