Pregis and Henkel join forces on lightweight recyclable e-commerce solutions as demand surges

23 Sep 2021 --- US-based packaging manufacturer Pregis is joining forces with German chemical and consumer goods company Henkel to develop environmentally sustainable protective packaging solutions.

In its first move, the duo has launched the Pregis EverTec lightweight, paper cushioned mailer, which is manufactured with Epix technology from Henkel Adhesive Technologies. The packs are curbside recyclable in the US, says the partnership. 

The product is designed to address the spike in e-commerce delivery packaging spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Innova Market Insights highlighted this boom, marking “Home Delivery Haven” the top trend for 2021. 

Epix technology 
Henkel’s Epix technology is a portfolio of materials designed to extend the functionality of paper packaging. The company aims to bring qualities like barrier protection, thermal insulation and impact resistance to packaging products like paper cups, sandwich wraps and food trays. 

Pregis is touting its EverTec mailer as an example of how Epix technology can decrease material waste while reducing reliance on corrugated boxes.

The Pregis EverTec pack made with Epix Technology.To meet “significant market demand,” Pregis has opened several new US manufacturing sites in 2021.

Going net-zero 
To support their positions, both companies became signatories to the Climate Pledge, whose goal is to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040. 

“Since we work with brand owners and retailers every day, we know they are looking for improved sustainable alternatives to ship their products through the parcel network direct to consumers,” says Tom Wetsch, chief innovation officer at Pregis. 

“Listening closely to their needs, Pregis and Henkel have teamed up to bring advanced packaging technologies to the market in a way that no one else can. Pregis’ ability to scale this innovative solution in partnership with Henkel demonstrates our shared focus on creating a circular economy and eliminating unnecessary packaging waste.”

Meeting e-commerce demands 
With consumers increasingly making purchasing decisions based on brands’ sustainability profiles, receiving e-commerce purchases in an EverTec mailer will signal to them that they are “getting packaging aligned with their environmental position,” asserts Wetsch. 

“Seeing the rise in demand for e-commerce shipments, Henkel embarked on the development of a technology that would offer advanced functional and sustainable properties for paper,” says Tilo Quink, global head packaging solutions at Henkel. 

“With a focus on recovery and reuse of cellulose-based protective packaging, our Epix technology has become a critical component of the Pregis EverTec mailer.” 

The partnership is in the process of designing more market-driven packaging that meets requirements for circularity.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton