The current flexible packaging sector depends on multi-material packaging, which is difficult to recycle. This is particularly true for multi-layer flexible packaging and films that have evolved to incorporate multiple materials to achieve the best properties. Such materials can be mechanically recycled, but given the different materials involved, the resulting material is of low quality. Hence, multi-materials are not recycled or could potentially be chemically recycled, which is a more complex and less desirable route from a sustainability point of view.
Mono-material packaging can be designed to be fully recyclable as all layers are made of the same type of plastic, leading to cleaner recycling streams and contributing to the circular economy. For instance, there is potential to replace metalized flexible packaging, which contains an inseparable thin layer of aluminum, making it problematic in the recycling process.
The need for “recyclable by design” packaging is leading to new guidelines and initiatives encouraging companies to replace multi-material packaging gradually.
Included in this Intelligence Brief:
- New guidelines and initiatives promoting a circular packaging economy
- The biggest growth opportunities for mono-material packaging
- Mono-material packaging and ESG goals
- Key focus areas for R&D
- Key players and 12 commercially available solutions
