5 uses for monopolymer packaging films you might not have considered.
Soft plastic recycling is undergoing a slow, tumultuous rollout. Domestic flexible plastic recycling is set to be introduced before 2028, and the gradual introduction of front-of-store recycling collection points in supermarkets combined with the large-scale acceptance of PP alongside PET as a recyclable plastic is meant to fill the gap in the meantime.
However, recent reports have cast doubt on the effectiveness of these schemes, meaning
a lot of progress still needs to be made before that 2028 target becomes viable. As the advancement of infrastructure continues to stutter, it is important to develop packaging solutions that are as easy to recycle as possible. As such, these reports mean that developments in monopolymer flexible packaging materials become all the more important. As they are made from a single polymer, they are much more likely to be recycled than the traditional multi-polymer constructions that plague the recycling industry.
Advances in barrier coatings and lamination adhesives mean that monopolymer laminates can be augmented with stronger barrier properties, improved mechanical strength, and heat sealability. This combination of features means monopolymer film laminates are now viable options for more packaging applications than ever. Here are five you might not have considered.
1. Condiment packs
Single-serve condiment sachets have traditionally proven to be challenging due to the combination of barrier properties needed to contain highly acidic products like sauces. At Parkside, we have successfully used our expertise to create high performance monopolymer sachets that have been laminated using a vapour deposition of aluminium. This gives them the barrier strength required without compromising their recyclability.
2. Toothpaste tubes
While sauces are acidic, toothpaste is alkaline, meaning its packaging presents many of the same challenges from the opposite end of the pH scale. Again, recent breakthroughs in monomaterial technology and lamination techniques mean it is now possible to create recyclable toothpaste tubes, as demonstrated by Colgate in the US.
3. Compostable agricultural films
While many monopolymer films can indeed be recycled, this is not the case should they become contaminated. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals used in farming production mean that protective agricultural film could hardly be less suitable for recycling. However, using a biodegradable or home compostable monomaterial film means that the material does not have to be recycled to avoid landfill at the end of use – it can simply be ploughed back into the earth with fertiliser and compost after the harvest.
4. Cereal bag-in-boxes
Consumer confusion has been identified as a critical barrier that businesses need to overcome to improve recycling. Simplifying packaging by ensuring all materials can be recycled could go some way towards resolving this confusion. One example of this is using a recyclable monopolymer film bag inside a cereal carton to improve the recyclability of the whole pack. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a more durable monopolymer pouch to eliminate the need for an exterior carton altogether.
5. Coffee pods
Coffee in all its forms is another historically challenging application for packaging – its rich aroma is a huge part of its appeal, but it also requires a high-performance aroma barrier to contain it. Monopolymer film packaging can be treated with functional coatings to ensure it keeps those coffee aromas locked in, while also keeping potential contaminants out, meaning it has applications across instant coffee, whole beans, and even the lids for coffee pods.
At Parkside, we have used our market-leading innovation capabilities to develop a huge portfolio of monomaterial flexible packaging innovations. Get in touch today to learn more.
