TotalEnergies, Windmöller & Hölscher and Mitsubishi complete proof of concept for food-grade recyclable pouch

31 Oct 2022 --- TotalEnergies, Windmöller & Hölscher and Mitsubishi Chemical Group have completed a successful proof of concept for a fully recyclable high-barrier stand-up pouch for food-grade applications. 

The stand-up pouch comprises 98% PE and less than 2% ethylene vinyl alcohol, which is required for barrier properties. The recyclable high-barrier packaging has been developed to replace multimaterial structures (such as metalized BOPP/PE or metalized BOPET/PE) in line with brand owners’ commitments to 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. 

“The replacement of non-recyclable multimaterial packaging is key to ensure the circularity of plastic materials, bringing more qualitative items on the market to be used as feedstock for the recycling industry,” says Olivier Greiner, vice president of polymers for Europe and Orient at TotalEnergies. 

“We are committed to accelerating the circular economy by integrating eco-design principles into our product development process, in line with our ambition of producing 30% recycled and biopolymers by 2030.”

Machine direction orientation-PE
The companies claim that the new solution delivers the same performance as traditional packaging solutions without compromising recyclability. The package can enter available recycling streams and contribute to addressing the challenge of plastics end-of-life.

The stand-up pouch comprises 98% PE and less than 2% ethylene vinyl alcohol.The stand-up pouch consists of a machine direction orientation (MDO) film and a sealing film laminated by Dettmer Verpackungen. The machine manufacturer B&B Verpackungstechnik then transformed this structure into a stand-up pouch that could be used for demanding applications, such as coffee packaging. 

The MDO-PE film recipe, composed of TotalEnergies Supertough and Lumicene high-density PE together with Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Soarnol, was running on a VarexII equipment at the Windmöller & Hölscher EXPO for four days during the 2022 K trade show last week in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“This product study showcases a missing piece in the puzzle toward a circular economy. Our knowledge and technology for the production of barrier and MDO-PE films and the cooperation between all partners have made this possible,” says Dr. Jonas Schmidt, head of product management at Windmöller & Hölscher.

Eco-friendly films
Due to the combination of chosen barrier materials and machine technology, the needs of high water-vapor-, oxygen- and aroma-barrier are achieved. “Furthermore, the structure can be declared by definition as a monolayer solution, and it is also fully mechanically recyclable,” explains Domenico De Angelis, general manager Sales Soarnol, P&C MMA Business Group EMEA of Mitsubishi Chemical Group.

In a similar development, Borealis and the Vibac Group are developing a new and more environmentally sustainable BOPP-based film for food applications. The film aims to extend shelf life, facilitate recycling and lower carbon emissions. 

Meanwhile, Grounded Packaging launched RE: Mono, a recyclable, flexible packaging solution made of 83% recycled materials that boasts a 57% reduced environmental footprint compared to virgin plastic packaging. 

The new product reportedly contains the highest volume of post-consumer recycled content currently available worldwide for food contact pouches and other flexible packaging formats. 

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim