Global packaging solutions company Huhtamaki has unveiled its latest groundbreaking technology in the form of sustainable flexible packaging. The innovative packaging, available in Paper, PE, and PP Retort options, represents a game-changing development that combines best-in-class protection, full recyclability, and affordability.
Dr. Marco Hilty, President of Flexible Packaging at Huhtamaki, emphasized the significance of this innovation, stating, “What we’ve done is to redesign the future of flexible packaging by setting new industry standards in mono-material solutions. These BlueloopTM innovations deliver both recyclability and affordability without compromising product protection. This is the power of three.”
Huhtamaki’s mono-material solutions support its customers’ commitments to using only recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2025, aligning with future policy directions globally. The affordability of flexible packaging is a crucial factor for consumers worldwide, and Huhtamaki’s innovations ensure that this requirement is met while delivering the high level of product protection that flexible packaging is known for.
The development of these innovations involved collaboration across Huhtamaki’s global teams, who worked tirelessly to simplify previously complex structures, reducing the need for multiple materials and eliminating barriers such as aluminum layers. This breakthrough increases the value of post-consumer materials, creating a stronger economic incentive for recycling and supporting circularity.
Huhtamaki’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its target of making its packaging 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2030. The company acknowledges the challenge posed by lightweight flexible packaging, which provides numerous benefits but is often not recyclable in current post-consumer recovery streams.
With its scientific expertise, Huhtamaki is launching three unique and powerful sustainable solutions in mono-material flexible packaging. These innovations set new industry standards by using fewer materials than traditional complex and multi-layered packaging while maintaining product protection and affordability. By increasing the percentage of mono-material in each solution, Huhtamaki enhances the technical and economic viability of recycling.
Huhtamaki’s new innovation offers mono-material flexible packaging in three material options: Paper, PE (polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) Retort, designed for demanding applications. With a mono-material share of up to 95% for PE and at least 90% for Paper and PP, these solutions deliver exceptional performance in protection barriers, recyclability, and affordability. Huhtamaki has invested in new production technologies to establish a global supply capacity for these innovations.
The groundbreaking technologies will be showcased at Interpack 2023, where Huhtamaki invites existing and new customers to explore its game-changing solutions in the Huhtamaki blue room.