South Korea’s recyclability regulations recognize Ecolean’s lightweight aluminum-free packs

19 Oct 2020 --- The South Korean Ministry of Environment is recognizing the recyclability of Ecolean’s aseptic packages as part of the country’s new packaging recyclability grading system. The beverage, dairy and liquid food packaging specialist produces flexible sterilized packs without aluminum, ranked as “good” in South Korea’s four grade-scale.

The announcement follows South Korea’s introduction of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources last December. The regulation requires food and beverage packaging to contain labels that show a material’s recyclability grade.

A nine-month grace period for businesses to comply with the new regulations ends this September.

“‘Good’ is the second-best ranking level. Packages in the highest-ranking level (‘Best’) are, as we have come to understand the scale, only mono-material, uncolored packages with easily-removable labels,” Hanna Jeppsson, Ecolean’s communications director, tells PackagingInsights.

Click to EnlargeYakult’s Hyfresh ready-to-drink tea launched in Ecolean’s Air Aseptic 125 ml pack.“The second grade (‘Good’) is where Ecolean’s packages are confirmed as easy to recycle. The two lower levels include packaging types with complex material structures, making them difficult to recycle.”

Ecolean’s aseptic packaging ranges – Ecolean Air Aseptic and Ecolean Air Aseptic Clear – consist of a multilayer PE, PP and up to 35 percent chalk structure. The solutions protect the contents with light and oxygen barriers but without using aluminum.

Ecolean’s aseptic packaging range launched in 2008, winning a WorldStar award for its approach to non-aluminum aseptic packaging, which the company says remains unique in the industry today.

Aluminum-free action
South Korea is at the forefront of recyclability awareness, says Jeppsson, and the average consumer sees recycling as integral to overall environmental awareness.

Ecolean increased its South Korean footprint last year as Yakult selected its Air Aseptic range for two launches.

“The Ecolean package is the perfect fit for us since it is lightweight and flexible, yet extremely durable. We have already seen a huge interest from consumers,” says Jeonghyeon Hong, Yakult Korea’s marketing manager.

“Ecolean’s lightweight packages are 50-60 percent lighter than other liquid food packages, meaning reductions in resources used during production and lighter transports,” confirms Jeppsson.Click to EnlargeBusanmilk launched a grape juice in Ecolean’s Air Aseptic portion-sized 125 ml pack.

Ambient packaging is ideal for a busy on-the-go lifestyle since no cold chain or chilled storage is needed to keep dairy products or other beverages safe and fresh.

“The Ecolean packages are ideal for on-the-go consumption since they are so light and flexible. They will fit into any lunch box or gym bag, and once you have finished your drink they become completely flat, taking up less space,” adds Jeppsson.

Electron beam sterilization
The printed, shaped and fully sealed packages are sterilized using electron beam treatment before shipping to the filling machine at the customer’s site. Before opening, filling, and sealing in the filling machines, the packages’ outer surfaces are resterilized using a system of one percent peroxide spray and UV light.

“The fact that our type of sterilization process is separated from the filling machines and performed at the Ecolean manufacturing plants is quite unique in the industry and something we are very proud of,” explains Paul Mellbin, Ecolean’s senior advisor for ambient technology.

“It makes the process easier for our customers, and that as well as having sustainability in mind when designing our lightweight packaging solutions is key.”Click to EnlargeCoco Bruni unveiled its Cold Brew Americano in Ecolean’s 200 ml package, reducing plastic by 34%.

South Korean rollouts
Ecolean entered South Korea’s dynamic and progressive liquid food and beverage market with the launch of Yakult Korea in 2019. Since then, several more launches have been made in applications including dairy, beverages, soups and sauces, and Jeppsson indicates several more launches are to come.

Yakult says Ecolean’s Air Aseptic lightweight packs compliment its health-oriented products with convenient and unique packaging, elevating the consumer experience.

The brand’s Hyfresh ready-to-drink tea launched in Ecolean Air Aseptic 125 ml package, while Hyfresh ready-to-drink vegetable soup is packed in Ecolean’s Air Aseptic 200 ml pack.

“Brand owners using lightweight packaging are not only reporting cost savings but also an improved environmental profile and brand image among other advantages,” notes Johnny Sajland, Ecolean’s global sales director.

“This will be a great match, with both the Yakult products’ added-value offering and with consumer’s everyday lives.”

Meanwhile, Coco Bruni unveiled Cold Brew Americano and Cold Brew Latte in Ecolean’s 200 ml package, reducing plastic by 34 percent. The pack has a straw for easy enjoyment on-the-go.

Also, Busanmilk launched an orange juice and a grape juice under its MyPocket brand in smaller portion-sized 125 ml Ecolean Air Aseptic packages for easy on-the-go consumption.

By Joshua Poole

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