Extrusion International USA 4-2019

35 Extrusion International 4/2019 FILM EXTRUSION Flexible food packaging has traditionally presented brand owners with a choice – either extract the maximum per- formance parameters or make it fully recyclable. Achiev- ing both goals at once has been almost impossible ... until now. Mondi has created a recyclable polypropylene film that is ideal for the thermoforming of flexible films for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum packaging, which is known for its ability to extend the shelf life of products such as meat and cheese. The new, coextruded material includes a top and bottom web, with an internal barrier layer that comprises less than 5 percent of the entire structure, meaning it qualifies as a mono-material construction and is fully recyclable in existing waste streams. The Aachen, German-based Insti- tut cyclos-HTP – the Institute for Recyclability and Product Responsibility – has independently certified that both the top and bottom webs of this construction have the high- est qualification “Class AAA” in recyclability. The previous multi-material construction rendered the previous packages unrecyclable and also resulted in a much higher carbon footprint as confirmed by life cycle analyses. “We’re delighted to report that this innovative new film reduces the package’s carbon footprint by 23 per- cent compared to existing conventional structures,” said Günter Leitner, Managing Director of Mondi Styria, the Austrian plant that produces this film. Thomas Kahl, Project Manager EcoSolutions for Mondi Consumer Packaging, explains: “Mondi’s view is that packaging should always be fit-for-purpose – paper where possible, plastic when useful – and sustainable by design. The challenge with this project was to maintain the functionality that is key to such applications, including excellent oxygen and moisture barriers, and high punc- ture resistance – while also enhancing the package’s recy- clability. The latter factor was vital as Mondi continues to support the principles of a circular economy.” Users also benefit by tapping into Mondi’s years of ex- perience in food packaging, with Mondi’s plant in Styria offering extensive expertise high-barrier applications for food packaging. This latest development is fully in line with the design guidelines of major brand owners and retailers who have sustainability in mind. This thermoformable food pack- aging corresponds to their requirements for redesigning flexible packaging to become more sustainable, while also meeting the challenges laid out in the ‘New Plastic Economy’ global initiative (www.newplasticseconomy. org) which is striving toward a more circular and sustain- able economy. New, Recyclable Packaging Film for Fresh and Processed Food Mondi Consumer Packaging Marxergasse 4A, 1030 Wien, Austria www.mondigroup.com New, recyclablepackagingfilmfor fresh andprocessed foodputsMondi on theMAP (Photo:Mondi) Mondi Group has developed a fully-recyclable polypropylene construction for thermoforming applications with a 23% reduction in carbon footprint compared to existing packaging