Increasing the circularity of high barrier flexible plastic packaging

Important results from the project

The food packaging value chain, has collaborated to increase the circularity of flexible plastic barrier packaging with a focus on studying the impact of barrier and adhesive in monolaminate films. The aim of increasing the recyclability of flexible plastic packaging has come closer, mainly through insights into the need to design for recyclability, i.e. choosing adhesives and barriers. Brand owners have new knowledge to set eligibility requirements on suppliers, who have also gained insight into the need to keep track of all constituent substances.

Expected long term effects

The use of flexible packaging is increasing, as is the focus on recyclability. The project results show that the monolaminates will mainly be sorted in the right stream, which is promising for the project´s effect, to increase the sorting rate and material recycling. Barrier materials such as EvOH have a low impact on recyclability, as the amount makes up less than 5% of the packaging. Adhesives and especially the combination of adhesive and barrier can have a negative impact on recyclability. Monolaminate plastic packaging shows good recyclability on an industrial scale.

Approach and implementation

The project´s plan of market research, sorting trials, recycling trials, adjustment of the plastic manual design guide and industrial scale demonstrability proved to be well thought out and has produced productive results. More detailed information about the films´ structure and constituent components would have provided more detailed insights into how the adhesive and barrier affect recyclability.