The Association for Roll-to-Roll Converters (ARC) has chosen oneBARRIER FibreCycle material with AluBond metallization from Swiss converting-machinery maker BOBST as its 2024 Sustainability Award winner in the trade group’s annual awards program. BOBST was recognized at the recent ARC R2R USA Conference & Expo in Charlotte, NC (above).

Developed in conjunction with substrate provider UPM Specialty Papers and coatings maker Michelman, the high-barrier, recycle-ready, fiber-based structure is designed to replace non-recyclable, multilayer materials based on metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. The mono-material, paper-based flexible packaging offers an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of <1 cm³/(m² d) and a water-vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of <1 gsm and is confirmed to be recyclable by PTS, the German research institute of the paper industry, 4evergreen, Aticelca and Western Michigan University. Judges described it as a significant recyclable, renewable alternative to non-recyclable substrates. 

Fres-co System USA, Inc., received the Honorable Mention in the Sustainability Award competition for its NEXTPAK™ recycle-ready, high-barrier, all-polyethylene coffee packaging. Said to be the first degassing-valve-equipped, high-barrier coffee package certified by the NexTrex Recycling Program, the flexible-packaging material is designed to be recycled in the NexTrex Recycling Program at store drop-off locations throughout the United States. Trex upcycles approximately 450 million lbs of plastic film, bags and wraps annually in the production of its decking material. The judging panel noted that most coffee packaging consists of multiple materials and is not recyclable and was impressed that the NEXTPAK material offers the barrier and venting features required for coffee along with a specific recycling destination.