South Korean chemicals company Songwon Industrial Co and Germany-based RPC bpi nordfolien have developed 20kg polyethylene-bags made with 50% recycled PE content for the packaging of Songwon's chemical products.
The bags use recycled materials originating from different waste streams, including post-consumer industrial printed bags, said Songwon in a 22 Jan statement.
In addition, the newly-developed process recycles all of the solvents that are required for de-inking the plastic waste in a closed loop circle.
Developed over the past 12 months, the recycled bags have since been successfully trialled by Songwon customers to ensure they meet Songwon's quality standards in terms of strength, colour stability and handling.
Over the next few months, Songwon said it intended to “[fully] transition to the new recyclable packaging”, which will help its customers meet their sustainability targets.
“With RPC bpi nordfolien, we have found an innovative partner who can support us to live Songwon's vision: ‘sound and sustainable growth for all our stakeholders in harmony with the interests of our planet and its people,'” said Maurizio Butti, chief executive officer at Songwon.
According to Christian Knappik, key account manager/business unit chemical industry at RPC bpi nordfolien, Songwon is the “very first chemical company to use packaging film with such high recycled material content for their PE-bags.”