Page 58 - Plastics News June 2019

PRODUCT NEWS

ProAmpac unveils flexible pet Unilever solves recycling issue

food packaging options
nilever UK and Ireland is claiming to have cracked

ersatile packaging solutions provider ProAmpac joined Uthe problem of recycling black plastic bottles, by
Vpet food industry convention Petfood Forum 2019 pioneering the development of a new detectable black
in Kansas City, Missouri, to showcase its comprehensive pigment which it has made available to any brands keen
portfolio of flexible pet food packaging products. The to up their sustainable credentials. The new technology
products displayed by the company included two new means an additional 2,500 tonnes of plastic bottles can
innovative ranges: recyclable and sustainable products, now potentially be sorted and sent for recycling each
year in the UK alone. This equates to 1,200 family-sized
cars or 200 London buses of plastic.Over recent years,
plastic recycling has become a habitual chore for eco-
conscious consumers. But it has been impossible to
mechanically detect and sort black plastic for recycling
until now. The 'carbon black' pigment traditionally
used to colour bottles black was undetectable by
sorting machines because the sorters use infra-red
light which the carbon absorbs thus making it invisible.
To overcome this, Unilever has developed a new
which are part of the company’s ProActive Sustainability detectable black pigment which will enable them to
initiative, and the new range of Signature Surfaces tactile be ‘seen’ by recycling plant scanners. It has made the
packaging.ProAmpac’s ProActive Sustainability initiative material openly available. To prove the effectiveness of
aims to reduce the energy use and the environmental its plastic development, Unilever has said it has carried
impact of its operations by prioritising packaging which out extensive
is recyclable, compostable, renewable and/or post- t ria ls in
consumer recycled (PRCR). Meanwhile, Signature Surfaces collaboration
tactile packaging is formulated to have different textures with Recoup
for different intended uses. PRO-EVO comes in Classic which is an
and Premium versions, constructed from fibre-based authority
renewable resources and paper/poly hybrid packaging in pl as tic
respectively. Both can support 13-60lbs of product, and recycling.It has
are ideal for dry pet food, bird seed and animal nutrition. also partnered
The Premium version comes with a high-gloss laminate with waste
and square bottom design for maximum branding, while management
the resilient film offers enhanced product protection. companies, including Vdeolia, Viridor, Suez and Tomra
PRO-EVO can also be ordered in a mini version for smaller to prove the new pigment can be technically detected.
portions and portability, with a 5oz-13lb capacity, perfect Unilever will phase in the new detectable bottles –
for dry pet food and cat litter.ProAmpac was also able to which Unilever will use for its TRESemmé and Lynx
exhibit the PRO-DURA range of woven polypropylene bags, brands – this year, with some bottles already starting to
which offer excellent durability and flexibility for dry pet go into store for the shampoo brand. On top of this, the
food packaging. These likewise come in Classic, Premium two brands will introduce a minimum of 30% recycling
and Mini versions, and are durable and tear resistant. The plastic this year. The switch to detectable plastic is
Premium version can utilise both woven polypropylene or part of Unilever UK and Ireland’s five-point plastic plan
multiwall filling equipment. While Classic and Premium can that aims to tackle plastic waste in the UK as it works
support a product capacity of 11-50lbs, the Mini version towards a closed loop where plastic will stay within its
is designed to support 3-10lbs. plastic economy and not end up in the environment.

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