Irplast S.p.A., an Italian producer of simultaneously bi-oriented BOPP film, has developed two new S-BOPP film products based on PP polymers from Sabic’s Trucircle portfolio for the manufacture of printed adhesive tapes, wraparound labels and other applications. One is based on materials derived from renewably sourced feedstock, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of BOPP flexible packaging; the other, based on resins derived through the chemical recycling of post-consumer waste, is oriented towards the circular economy.
“We have undertaken a gradual but determined path, consistent with the development of new materials according to the guidelines of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directives,” she said.
Sabic’s Trucircle resins enable brand owners and packaging suppliers to develop packaging material solutions that are not only more sustainable, but are also immediately implementable, requiring no adjustments to existing processes and eliminating any need for investment in machinery or processes.
Known for its advanced BOPP LISIM stretching technology, which is done in one step compared to the standard two-step process, Irplast alread achieved ISCC certification for its S-BOPP film portfolio at the end of 2019.
The latest products are a renewable BOPP film called NOPP (Natural BOPP), made from certified renewable SABIC PP material from bio-based feedstock. The circular BOPP film branded as LOOPP is made from certified circular SABIC PP material that uses feedstock made from chemical recycling of mixed post-consumer plastics to deliver virgin-quality resins. The resulting S-BOPP films comply with rigorous food contact regulations, and are 100% recyclable in normal polyolefin waste separation streams.
Irplast is also working on the manufacture of LOOPP films made from SABIC’s certified circular polymers that are made from recycling of low quality, mixed plastic waste otherwise destined for incineration or landfill. The process yields certified circular polymers of equal quality to virgin polymers, with outstanding mechanical, processing properties and purity.
Irplast is a vertically integrated producer, with a business model focussed on sustainability and on the reduction of the environmental impact of the company and its products. With a workforce of 380 at three manufacturing sites, all based in Italy, one of the factories has a production capacity of over 500 million square metres for printed products, while the two film manufacturing sites a total installed capacity for 44,000 tonnes of BOPP film. At the beginning of September, the company was acquired by Cheyne Strategic Value Credit, a London-based alternative investment fund manager.