Page 71 - Plastics News July 2025
P. 71
BUSINESS NEWS
packaging. emerged as a powerful tool for reducing reliance
on virgin materials and lowering the carbon foot-
Improving recyclability through material inno- print of packaging production.
vation
Yet, despite pledges from major consumer
Enhancing recyclability remains a cornerstone of goods companies to increase recycled content,
sustainable packaging. Many everyday packag- the supply of high-quality, food-grade recycled
es still rely on multi-layer plastics and composite plastics remains insufficient to meet demand.
materials that are difficult, if not impossible, to
recycle with existing infrastructure. This imbalance has created a significant invest-
ment opportunity: improving collection systems,
This challenge has spurred a wave of invest- expanding sorting capacity, and developing ad-
ment into mono-material solutions—packages vanced recycling technologies such as chemical
made entirely from one type of plastic or paper, recycling to boost the availability of recycled
making them easier to sort, process, and reintro- feedstocks.
duce into the manufacturing cycle.
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)
In parallel, fibre-based packaging alternatives and recycled polyethylene (rPE) are particularly
are gaining traction as brands look to replace in focus, given their widespread use in bottles,
traditional plastics with renewable materials like films, and flexible packaging.
moulded pulp, cartonboard, or paper-based
laminates. Beyond environmental benefits, incorporat-
ing recycled content can offer brands a market
Innovations such as water-based barrier coat- edge as sustainability becomes a key differen-
ings allow these materials to maintain protective tiator.
qualities while remaining compatible with recy-
cling systems. For packaging converters and material suppli-
ers, investing in recycling infrastructure and es-
These advances are key to meeting the grow- tablishing reliable, traceable supply chains for
ing consumer demand for recyclable packaging, recycled materials are crucial steps in advancing
which now influences purchase decisions across the circular economy.
markets from Europe to Asia.
By scaling recycled content, the packaging in-
For investors and packaging companies alike, dustry moves closer to achieving true material
prioritising recyclable design supports compli- circularity.
ance with emerging extended producer respon-
sibility (EPR) regulations, helping brands avoid Advancing compostable and biodegradable so-
penalties while building consumer trust. lutions
Scaling recycled content to close the loop Compostable packaging offers an appealing so-
lution for reducing the environmental impact of
Integrating recycled content into packaging has
packaging waste, particularly for foodservice
July 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 71
