By Pierre Sarazin, Ph.D., dir.-R&D, PolyExpert, Inc., and Emma Sarazin, Business Administration student Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from presentations at the AIMCAL R2R USA / SPE FlexPackCon 2019 conferences, held in Myrtle Beach, SC, in October 2019, titled “Flexible Plastic Packaging Sustainability: Will the Industry be Ready for 2025?” and “Flexible … [Read more...] about Flexible plastic packaging in the circular economy
Sustainability
Progress toward boosting PET release-liner recycling
By Rosalyn Bandy, vp-Sustainability, TLMI Abstract With the advent of The Circular Economy, the pressure-sensitive label industry is working hard to do its job to support brands and retailers with their sustainability goals. But, what about the label industry’s own circularity around release liner? Many challenges still exist, but there are significant developments to … [Read more...] about Progress toward boosting PET release-liner recycling
Reinventing flexible packaging in five years
By Daniel Cluskey, product stewardship engineer, Printpack Increased attention on flexible packaging’s end-of-life is resulting in a massive shift to alternative forms of packaging. Twenty percent of the world’s packaging currently is controlled by CPGs with commitments to use recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025. While the packaging is changing, the … [Read more...] about Reinventing flexible packaging in five years
Achieving a true circular economy for plastic packaging
By Tom Dunn, managing director, Flexpacknology LLC “Sustainable packages” will not solve our plastic waste problem. Empty plastic food packages are a big part of that waste. When today’s bread-bag film reappears in the market as a new bread bag next month, we have an effective “circular” solution. When ground-up, empty bread bags reappear as part of composite plastic/sawdust … [Read more...] about Achieving a true circular economy for plastic packaging