New Ideas Made of Plastic
Particularly light bottles, a transport box with Internet connection: the PackTheFuture Award of the French plastics associations and the German IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging) presents forward-looking solutions from the industry.
Plastics are often in the crossfire of criticism in sustainability debates. Manufacturers of plastic packaging counter this with innovations in packaging solutions. At least, this is the result of the PackTheFuture Award 2020, where entries in the Eco Design category far outweighed the number of participants in other categories. A total of 58 packaging solutions were submitted in four categories, ten received an award.
Material-saving bottles
In the Eco Design category, Sidel’s “Aya” bottle solution stood out among other products. At only five grams, the bottles are very light and are made of 100 percent recycled PET. The press-on cap is connected to the bottle. In addition, the fact that the mandatory information can be embossed directly on the bottle contributes to sustainability. A label is not necessary. Practical: The shape of the bottle base fits exactly on the bottle cap, which ensures stability during storage and transport.
Tubes with high barriers
Albea’s “Greenleaf 2” also scored in the Eco Design category. Despite the comparatively low wall thickness and reduced weight, the tubes have a solid feel and barrier properties that, according to the manufacturer, protect even sophisticated formulations from air and water loss. “Greenleaf 2” is available in different versions, depending on the requirements of different markets such as “Beauty”, “Personal Care” or “Oral Care”. The tubes are 97 percent recyclable.
Transport box for e-commerce
“The Box” received a special award. The transport box is primarily aimed at the growing e-commerce, is reusable and particularly versatile. “Intelligent” is the box thanks to several sensors and an Internet connection. The product makes printed address labels superfluous: Address data can be easily updated via the integrated E-Ink display. In the configurable interior, a special holding mechanism avoids the use of bubble wrap or similar packaging material. In addition, the expanded polypropylene of the box is completely recyclable. According to manufacturer Storopack, more than 1,000 uses are guaranteed. Partner LivingPackets offers “The Box” as a service that can be used via a special app.
Award ceremony postponed to November
According to the initiators, the aim of the PackTheFuture Award is to draw attention to the innovative potential of plastic packaging throughout Europe. The competition was launched in 2014 by ELIPSO, the French association for plastic packaging and flexible packaging and the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen. The 5th PackTheFuture Award will be presented on 24.11.2020 at the ALL4PACK packaging trade fair in Paris. Originally, the award ceremony was planned to take place during the interpack in Düsseldorf, but had to be postponed due to the Corona crisis. More about the packaging solutions from the competition under: http://www.packthefuture.com/
