In an attempt to make its product portfolio more sustainable, Luxembourg-based United Caps, in collaboration with Brazilian petrochemical giant Braskem, has developed a bio-based closure solution .
Offered to the market under the brand name “Greener”, the solution uses Braskem's “I'm green” polyethylene as its basis, said United Caps in a 23 Aug statement.
“I'm green” PE uses bio ethanol sourced from sugarcane as feedstock, therefore reducing CO2 emissions and carbon footprint of the material compared to conventional PE made from fossil fuel.
“This means that every kilogram of I'm green polyethylene used in United Caps products results in 3.09 kilograms of CO2 being sequestered from the atmosphere,” said Brendan Hill, sales manager at Braskem Netherlands BV.
United Caps is initially introducing two standard bioplastic closures to the market: The Victoria closure, a 30/25 screw closure designed for still drinks and Proflatseal, used for dairy products and still drinks, both pressurised and nonpressurised.
The partnership and the new product, according to Astrid Hoffmann Leist, chief marketing and innovation officer for United Caps, are a step in the right direction as United Caps aims to make its solutions “as sustainable as possible”.
“Using bio-sourced plastics and developing high performance lighter weight caps and closures are just two of the ways we are pursuing more sustainable operations,” Leist added.