Huhtamaki, Milliken Partner to Design for Circularity
Joint research yields highly recyclable, mono-material HDPE tube
Milliken & Company, a trusted expert in plastics additive and colorant technology, is partnering with Finnish flexible packaging giant Huhtamaki Group to develop a more sustainable, mono-material laminate for use in tubes targeting cosmetics, toothpaste and other personal-care applications.
The results of this joint effort, designed to create a healthier future, will be on display at the K 2022 trade fair in Dusseldorf from Oct.19-26. Milliken will display high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tubes produced using Huhtamaki laminates optimized with Milliken UltraGuard Solutions technology, at our booth (Hall 6 Booth A27). Executives from the two firms also will participate in a TechTalk presentation at the show on Tuesday morning, Oct. 25 (from 10:30-11:00 a.m.) at Milliken’s Gallery (Hall 6, Gallery 1O-05).
By improving the barrier properties of HDPE film by up to 50 percent, UltraGuard Solutions contribute to sustainability by enabling more mono-material construction of popular products such as stand-up flexible pouches and tubes and making them ultimately more recyclable. These improved barrier properties also allow for downgauging of the polyethylene (PE) film, resulting in a lighter-weight end product and a reduction in the amount of resin needed to achieve the desired result.
Huhtamaki’s work on this project fits in perfectly with its blueloop™ initiative for sustainable, flexible packaging. Huhtamaki blueloop is a product portfolio aiming to make flexible packaging circular by introducing a range of recyclable solutions with mono-material structures using polypropylene (PP), PE and paper. The blueloop program contains recyclable and sustainable laminate solutions, with dedicated criteria, to ensure the resulting mono-HDPE-laminate is fully recyclable and approved by RecyClass.
“The tube resulting from this joint development work is opaque with a silver shine, making it ideal for beauty product applications,” said Dr. Detlev Schulz, Senior Manager – Sustainability and Business Development for Huhtamaki’s Global Tube Laminates business. “White would work as well, offering outstanding moisture barrier and improved oxygen transmission for all who don’t need a shiny silver option.” The most likely end uses will be in 40 to 200 ml tubes.
#modernplasticsindia #plasticmagazine #indianmagazine #indianplasticmagazine #modernplasticsaward #ginujoseph #modernplastic #plasticindia #plasticnews #plasticrecycling #modernplasticsglobalnetwork #modernglobalnetwok #modernplasticsaward2022 #PlasticIndustry
