K 2025: TotalEnergies partners with SML for recyclable film solutions

TotalEnergies and SML have developed two films that enable material savings in stand-up pouch and deep-freeze bag applications through efficient downgauging. The new solutions will be exhibited at K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8–15.

The fully recyclable films are made with TotalEnergies’ Lumicene Supertough, which is suitable for existing recycling streams while contributing to the development of a circular economy for plastics. TotalEnergies and SML aim to provide customers with flexible packaging solutions that enhance sustainability and allow cost-efficiency through effective downgauging.

Olivier Greiner, vice president, polymers Europe and Orient at TotalEnergies, says: “By combining our innovative polymers with SML’s high-performance cast film technology, these new films contribute to innovative packaging solutions, aligning with manufacturer needs. They illustrate our approach to polymer development, which includes rethinking their use and reducing their environmental impact through enhanced material properties.”

Elias Mayrhofer, product manager at SML, comments: “SML’s cast MDO technology demonstrates its full strength when combined with high-performance resins such as Lumicene Supertough polymers — delivering excellence in product quality and line performance.”

Innovation for different applications

The first film is designed for resealable barrier stand-up pouch applications. It combines PE with a thin layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer to deliver good oxygen barrier properties.

The film combines “excellent film flatness” with downgauging over 30% without compromising performance versus PE/PET structures. The 60 μm film works with or without lamination, and when used alone, can simplify recycling.

The second film, intended for deep-freeze bag applications, is an unlaminated machine-direction-oriented PE cast film that achieves a reduction in thickness in the range of 35% to 50% compared to conventional deep-freeze bag structures, avoiding an energy-consuming lamination process.

Last year, TotalEnergies introduced a very low linear density PE grade branded Advanced Supertough 12AST05. The grade aims to address various film applications and can be used in formulations to replace ethylene-vinyl acetate grades to improve the recyclability of stretch hood applications.

Meanwhile, TotalEnergies has been developing different plastic recycling processes. Last year, the company converted feedstocks from plastic waste into circular polymers “for the first time” in the US at its PP plant in La Porte.