Value chain collaboration is increasingly seen as a key element in efforts to boost the sustainability of products and processes within the plastics industry.
Once such collaboration has now yielded the development of a new lightweight, recyclable and reusable bottle with a considerably lower overall CO2 footprint compared to rival products.
Created by Borealis and Trexel, a leading expert in foaming injection and blow moulded parts, the monomaterial bottle is based on a grade from Borealis’ Bornewables portfolio of polyolefins made using renewable feedstocks derived 100% from waste and residue streams. Reusing waste already in circulation instead of fossil fuel-based feedstocks minimises the use of valuable raw materials and enhances the sustainability of applications made using the Bornewables grades. The bottle will retain its value over many life cycles, the companies said.
Also, because it is foamed, the bottle is lightweight. Additional benefits include the fact that converters can not only minimise the use of materials and consume less energy in the production process when using the MuCell technology; the process can also help fulfil growing market demand for more sustainable packaging solutions.
Designed for recycling, made with renewable feedstocks and produced with energy- and material-saving technology, the new bottle ticks many boxes when it comes to closing the loop on plastics circularity.
Reuse and recycling are core components of the integrated circular cascade model aligned with our EverMinds platform, noted Peter Voortmans, Borealis Global Commercial Director Consumer Products.
“Combining our polymers and recycling expertise with Trexel’s material processing know-how enables us to re-invent essentials for sustainable living.”
Trexel is a global leader in foaming thanks in part to its proprietary MuCell physical - as opposed to chemical - foaming process which offers benefits such as greater density reductions, improved mechanical properties, and attractive surface aesthetics. The larger processing window facilitates its application to a wider range of products. MuCell foamed parts are recyclable and can thus be reintroduced into the polymer stream.
“Having anticipated market demand for more sustainable plastic packaging, we have focused our development resources over the last several years on the circular sphere,” said David Bernstein, Trexel Chairman of the Board and Interim CEO.
“Our foaming solutions for blow moulding and thin-wall packaging enable brand owners and moulders to realise improved sustainability and enhanced product performance while delivering cost savings.”
The bottle will be showcased at the Borealis stand at the K 2022 (hall 6, stand A43). Trexel can be found at the show in hall 13, stand B46.