The International Processing and Packaging Machinery Exhibition (Interpack) is the largest and most influential packaging exhibition in the world. At this exhibition, the packaging industry provides tailor-made solutions and innovative designs for all industrial industries with its dazzling variety of materials, and leading companies in the packaging industry will demonstrate the highest international level of all-round industry services.
According to the EU Green Deal and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, all packaging in the European Union (EU) will be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, putting enormous pressure on both brands and packaging manufacturers. So companies of all sizes, along the entire value chain, are sharing R&D skills to join forces to face this situation. Collaborations are not ineffective, and what they do is helping the packaging industry achieve its sustainability goals.
The sustainable development trend of the packaging industry is currently focused on two aspects: First, the trend of single-material packaging is still obvious.
One company (Jindal Films) has demonstrated its new polypropylene (PP) elemental material to help replace polyethylene based composite films. The world's leading specialty film company showcased its breakthrough material: Bicor Stretchable Polypropylene (OPP) film, which aims to facilitate a shift in the flexible packaging market from non-recyclable laminates (i.e. containing PET, aluminum/foil or paper, etc.) to single-material mechanically recycled laminates based on PP.
Another innovative "Design for recycling" material for sustainable packaging is oneBARRIER PrimeCycle, a polymer-based monomer material developed by Bobst in collaboration with several partners. PrimeCycle material is an ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) free, toppaint-free polyethylene (PE) barrier film solution that can replace metallized mylar film. It has the advantage of being recyclable while retaining barrier properties. Bobst has opened its two huge demonstrations and centres in Europe to all actors to accelerate the creation of solutions to the problem of sustainability in industrial packaging.
A few days after the show, a packaging company (Sabic) announced an industry initiative. It is one of several companies that have committed to join research and development projects to achieve more sustainable plastic waste disposal and mechanical and chemical recycling.
On the other hand, people are considering whether paper products can be used as a solution. Many companies displayed recyclable paper bags.
One company (ProAmpac) demonstrated a curbside recyclable, heat-sealable paper packaging that is also suitable for frozen food applications, such as ready-to-eat meals and vegetables, as well as for some dry food and secondary packaging applications, such as confectionery.
Plastic coatings traditionally used for protection and heat sealing often make the final product difficult to recycle. As a result, several companies have reworked the concept. On the basis of the existing isolation paper, water-based paint heat seal and oil spacer are added. The resulting pouch is easy to recycle and helps to recover more fiber. This helps meet the growing demand from consumers and regulators for easy-to-recycle packaging.
The various breakthrough technologies and materials on sustainable development displayed at this packaging exhibition have foreshadowed: only innovation can meet the characteristics of sustainable development in today's era and not be eliminated by the market.
Liyang paper products co., ltd custom made different style paper box, gift box, packaging box, paper bag, gift bag.paper folder, paper envelope, sticker, tag
