A cross-sector joint partnership has developed a new resealable pouch designed for recyclability and end-of-life disposal into existing recycling streams in Europe.
US chemicals company Dow, UK consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser (RB), and Polish converter Drukpol.Flexo developed the pouch, based on Dow’s polyethylene (PE) films, for RB’s Finish perfume-free dishwasher detergent line.
The mono-material pouch can be produced on existing equipment and enables extra functionalities such as zippers, easy opening and “the right mix of stiffness and flexibility,” Dow said in a statement 20 Sept.
“Through our Pack Studios network and design for recyclability solutions, we are helping brand owners move to a circular economy and deliver on their sustainability commitments,” said Karin Katzer, marketing director end use for Dow’s packaging & specialty plastics business.
The product, Dow said, uses the company’s portfolio of technologies including Affinity polyolefin elastomers, Dowlex PE resins and Agility low-density PE (LDPE) solutions.
The new packaging, according to Krzysztof Krajewski, head of packaging innovation at RB, is supported by existing recycling waste management systems.
In addition, it reduces transportation costs and emissions due to its lighter weight compared to the traditional packaging, Krajewski added.
“RB is committed to reducing, reusing and recycling materials in our packaging. We constantly search for solutions to address plastic waste and believe that plastic packaging designed for recyclability is the way forward,” said Krzysztof Krajewski, head of packaging innovation at RB.
Drukpol.Flexo contributed to the product with their converting expertise, supporting RB with assistance required for their packaging lines.
“The packaging is not only designed for recyclability, but also offers a high-quality customer experience with respect to performance like look, feel and ease-of-use,” said Kamil Ziemak, vice president at Drukpol.Flexo.
According to Dow, the new packaging was tested with the “0% perfume-free green line” of Finish dishwasher detergent at German retailers and online through Amazon and received 4+ stars consumer feedback on product features and quality.
Dow will display the product at K 2019, to be held 16-23 Oct, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Recyclable packaging developed for Finish dishwasher products
Dow
The new packaging was tested with the “0% perfume-free green line” of Finish dishwasher detergent at German retailers and online through Amazon and received 4+ stars consumer feedback on product features and quality.