Page 64 - Plastics News July 2026
P. 64
PRODUCT NEWS
designed to enhance the performance and sus- formance is promising, and we’re excited to ex-
tainability of packaging materials. plore opportunities to scale the technology with-
in our global packaging portfolio.” By combining
The partnership with Kelpi supports Amcor’s Kelpi’s technology with Amcor’s global research
broader innovation strategy focused on identi- and development capabilities and scale, the
fying and advancing solutions that enable more companies aim to evaluate commercially viable,
sustainable packaging while maintaining high scalable solutions for customers across various
functional standards. Amcor’s research and de- consumer goods sectors, supporting a circular
velopment teams are currently evaluating Kelpi’s economy for packaging.
proprietary coating technology platform, a bio-
based1 seaweed material designed to deliver LOTTE Chemical wins two Red Dot Design
barrier performance and compatibility with re- Awards 2026
cycling streams for fiber-based packaging.
By evaluating breakthrough bio-based coating
technologies, Amcor aims to further expand the
options within its AmFiber fiber-based solu-
TM
tions platform to continue meeting demanding
application requirements such as barrier perfor-
mance, high running speed and circularity. The
potential benefits of using such bio-based coat-
ings include reduced reliance on fossil fuel-de- LOTTE Chemical has won two Red Dot Design
rived feedstocks and greater use of renewable Award 2026 Winners, one of the world's three
resources, which may contribute to a lower car- most prestigious design awards. The award-
bon footprint. “This collaboration reflects how winning concept "Soft Robotics" is a robotics-
we are advancing our material innovation pipe- focused design solution that combines scratch-
line, and it supports the Ellen MacArthur Foun- resistant plastic materials with lighting effects to
dation’s call for accelerated innovation in paper- maximize light reflection and diffusion. By inte-
based flexible packaging2,” said Peter Ettridge, grating advanced color reproduction and light-
Director, Research and Development, AmFib- ing technologies, it creates emotional interaction
TM
er , Amcor. “We’re excited by the potential of between humans and robots through material
Kelpi’s technology, which combines processabil- design. The solution is applicable to robotics
ity, gas and moisture barrier performance, and and humanoid exteriors, mobility products, and
paper recyclability.” “Partnering with compa- other advanced industrial applications.
nies like Kelpi is a key part of how we bring new
technologies into our innovation ecosystem,” Another award-winning concept, "Beat Plus"
said Frank Lehmann, Vice President, Corporate is a paint-free design solution that visualizes a
Venturing and Open Innovation, Amcor. “Its in- natural stone texture by incorporating recycled
novative approach to leveraging nature-sourced particles derived from aircraft components into
materials that won’t compromise packaging per- plastic materials. Developed as a PFAS-free
68 PLASTICS NEWS July 2026
