Sappi Rockwell Solutions unveils coated lidding film ahead of UK Plastic Packaging Tax

14 Jun 2021 --- Heat seal coating specialist Sappi Rockwell Solutions is unveiling its first multi-substrate heat sealing lidding film. The company’s Starlid GPE-CL coating can be applied to any film, including those with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. 

Sappi Rockwell Solutions currently coats up to 60 percent PCR film, which is compatible with all tray types, including 100 percent recycled PET trays.

Developed and manufactured in-house, Starlid GPE-CL is an extrusion coated lidding film specifically formulated and processed on the company’s solvent-free coating line. The solution is “designed to outperform all other lidding films.”

Starlid GPE-CL options include Sappi Rockwell’s high-clarity anti-fog for optimized transparency and good oxygen and moisture vapor transmission rate barriers for increased product shelf life.

Plastic tax compliant
Moreover, the coating seals to all types of food packaging trays, including PP, paperboard and all PET variants. This enables manufacturers and brand owners to swap multiple film types for different product requirements for monolayer lidding material suitable for all tray types.

“We are committed to helping our customers reduce their impact on the environment through the development of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions,” comments Chris Button, head of sales at Sappi Rockwell Solutions.Starlid GPE-CL coating can be applied to any film, including those with PCR content.

“Starlid GPE-CL will help customers reduce their environmental impact and bring them in line with the UK plastic packaging levy scheduled for April 2022.”

The UK government has released draft legislation and a draft policy paper on the tax for public consultation.

The draft legislation proposes a £200 (US$282) per ton tax rate for plastic packaging produced or imported into the UK with less than 30 percent recycled plastic.

The measure is expected to impact around 20,000 plastics packaging producers and importers.

Similarly, The EU’s Plastics Strategy requires all packaging to be recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030, while its recently introduced plastics tax imposes a €0.80/kg (US$0.98/kg) levy on non-recycled plastic packaging waste.

Environmental and economic boosts
Button explains that using one lidding material for all tray types delivers cost-saving opportunities and improves operational efficiencies while significantly reducing plastic use and waste.

“Starlid GPE-CL provides a strong, peelable seal on all types of tray materials, including paperboard trays, which is one of the most rapidly expanding sustainability trends in the food industry today,” he says.

“As eco-friendly packaging becomes a higher priority with both brands and consumers, Starlid GPE-CL is a significant development for the food packaging industry.”

Starlid GPE-CL is suitable for all food products, including dairy, convenience, meat, fruit and vegetables. It is food contact approved and can be used for freezer, chiller, microwave and ovenable applications.

Sappi Rockwell Solutions is one of Europe’s major manufacturers of peelable, high-barrier and anti-fog lidding films, based in Dundee, Scotland.

Sappi Global acquired the company in 2017. Sappi Rockwell Solutions is a subsidiary of Sappi Europe.

Edited by Joshua Poole

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