Page 66 - Plastics News Issue June 2025
P. 66

PRODUCT NEWS




          Innovative materials making


          packaging more eco-friendly




                                                                                ily in the environment, reducing
                                                                                long-term pollution.


                                                                                Starch-based bioplastics,  for
                                                                                instance, are produced from re-
                                                                                newable resources like corn, po-
                                                                                tatoes, and tapioca. These ma-
                                                                                terials are versatile, suitable for
                                                                                both rigid and flexible packaging
                                                                                applications, and are increas-
                                                                                ingly common in the sustainable
                                                                                packaging landscape.

                                                                                Polylactic Acid (PLA) is another
                rom biodegradable plastics to seaweed-                          biodegradable option, derived
                based solutions, a new wave of packag-          from fermented plant starch. While PLA offers
          Fing technologies is reshaping how prod-              a similar appearance and functionality to tradi-
          ucts are protected and presented.                     tional plastics, it requires specific industrial com-
                                                                posting conditions to break down effectively.
          As environmental awareness continues to grow,
          the demand for sustainable packaging solutions        Advancements  in recyclable  packaging  solu-
          is transforming industries across the globe.          tions

          Businesses are increasingly seeking innovative        Recyclable materials continue to play a crucial
          materials that not only meet functional require-      role in sustainable packaging strategies. Innova-
          ments but also align with environmental goals.        tions in this area focus on improving the recy-
                                                                clability of packaging and reducing reliance on
          This shift is driven by consumer preferences,         virgin materials.
          regulatory pressures, and a collective commit-
          ment to reducing environmental impact.                Recycled paperboard has seen significant ad-

                                                                vancements, with modern recycling processes
          Embracing biodegradable and compostable
          materials                                             producing high-quality folding cartons that rival
                                                                virgin  materials  in  performance.  These  boards
          Biodegradable and compostable packaging ma-           offer enhanced printability and are suitable for
          terials have emerged as frontrunners in the quest     various packaging needs.
          for sustainable alternatives. Derived from natural
          sources, these materials break down more read-        Companies like Amazon are leading the way by
                                                                phasing out plastic-containing padded bags in

             66   PLASTICS NEWS                                                                      June 2025
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