Sirane launches LDPE-recyclable pouches – for those that do want plastic

26 Jun 2020 --- Multilayer flexible packaging provides oxygen barriers that are essential to food safety and shelf life but also throws up recyclability challenges as it cannot typically be processed through mainstream mechanical recycling streams. Overcoming this issue, UK-based absorbent food packaging specialist Sirane has launched a range of mono-material recyclable pouches and films called RePEat. The range can be recycled where LDPE recycling streams are available.

“Traditionally, this sort of packaging was not recyclable because to provide the necessary barrier, multilayer laminates were used, which prevented recycling in most cases. Our solution has been to take one base material – PE – and use different blends, sometimes laminated together, to give the required barrier. But because all the layers are PE, it is recyclable,” Mark Lingard, Marketing Manager at Sirane, tells PackagingInsights.

The four new RePEat packaging applications include:

• RePEat F1(120Mu): Mono-layer recyclable PE pouches for non-food and frozen applications where no oxygen barrier is required.

• RePEat F2F1(150Mu): Recyclable laminated PE pouches for heavy products.

• RePEat Barrier F2F3 (70Mu): Recyclable laminated PE film or pouches for light products.

• RePEat High Barrier F2F4 (152Mu) Recyclable laminated PE film or pouches for heavy/liquid products.

The PE mono-material layers make the RePEat pouches recyclable.RePEat has already launched with Sirane’s first customers, who cannot be disclosed at the moment. Mono-material and laminate structures are available, offering a range of different barriers, meaning RePEat films can be used for frozen food, packaging which requires a high barrier and liquids.

A break from bio-based
The RePEat launch deviates from Sirane’s usual focus on bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics packaging. “[The Earthpouch and Earthfilms] are paper-based with a coating that gives the barrier properties. For some of our customers, Earthpouch is not an option. We can’t offer it, for example, for really wet products. What we want to do is make sure that for those customers who cannot use the Earthfilm, we can still offer a film which is at least recyclable,” Lingard explains.

Both Earthfilm and Earthpouch are touted as plastic-reducing packaging solutions. The latter was touted as the first plastic-free compostable food pouch with shelf life extending capabilities.

“At Sirane, we want to offer customers the options. Many people want to go plastic-free, but it is not always possible. For some customers, Earthpouch or Earthfilm will work, but for others RePEat film will at least allow them to move to a film which is recyclable in the LDPE recycling stream,” highlights Simon Balderson, Sirane’s Managing Director.

By Anni Schleicher, with additional reporting by Joshua Poole

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