The Persil 4in1 DIscs cardboard-plastic packaging developed jointly by Henkel and Greiner Packaging has been recognised with a special distinction at the World Packaging Organisation’s Green Packaging Award 2020.
Based on Greiner Packaging’s K3-F cardboard-plastic concept, the materials used - PP and cardboard - are 100% recyclable when separated and disposed of by the consumer.
The combination results in packaging with a lower weight that uses up to 40% less plastic than the previous packaging. Incorporating 50% recycled PP halves the amount of virgin material used.
“We have set ourselves ambitious goals for sustainable packaging and want to promote a circular economy throughout the value chain together with our partners,” said Eduardo Celada, international packaging manager for laundry care at Henkel.
Next to using recycled PP, the packaging, designed for premeasured detergent products, consists of over 90% recycled cardboard for the sleeve. Production of the new packaging involves a two-stage process.
“We make the inside of the plastic container from white virgin material, which guarantees a high degree of color contrast with the colorful detergent discs. The packaging’s outer coating, meanwhile, contains recycled plastic obtained from end consumer households. This layer’s gray colour does not impact the packaging’s look, because it is wrapped in an attractively printed cardboard sleeve,” explained Celada.
The packaging’s lower plastic content also helps to reduce CO2 emissions, while the cardboard wrap maintains the container’s stability.
The thermoformed plastic containers and folded cardboard sleeves for the K3-F packaging are delivered separately to Henkel. The sleeves are folded by a machine and slipped over the container just before filling at the company. This process is an excellent fit for global brand manufacturers who offer their product in various markets or under different brands and therefore work with a wide range of decoration solutions.