Ahead of the Sustainability Awards next month, we spoke to Huhtamaki as part of our Finalist Interview series about its OmniLock Ultra Paper, nominated in the Commercialized Recyclable Packaging category.
You’re a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2024. Congratulations! To start off, could you summarise your entry, in less than 50 words?
OmniLock Ultra Paper is a fully recyclable, heat-sealable, ultra-high barrier paper designed to replace non-recyclable multi-layer laminates. With barriers equivalent to traditional aluminium/plastic combinations, it offers a sustainable packaging solution without compromising performance.
Why do you think the judges were impressed with your entry? What is innovative about your project and/or its impact on packaging sustainability?
The innovation behind OmniLock Ultra Paper lies in its ability to deliver ultra-high barriers which have previously only been achievable through non-recyclable, multilayer, aluminum foil/plastic combinations. This breakthrough means that packaging can now be fully recyclable while maintaining essential protection, such as moisture and oxygen barriers, without compromising the shelf life of products.
Additionally, with a paper content sourced from FSC-certified paper fibre and a recallability yield of about 80%, this product ensures high sustainability standards. Its validation by industry-leading certifications like CEPI, OPRL, and Cyclos HTP demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility. By providing a scalable alternative to non-recyclable packaging, OmniLock Ultra Paper has the potential to significantly reduce waste and promote circularity in packaging.
Can you tell us about the ongoing development of your project? How has your innovation been received by the industry, and what are the next steps in commercialization/product development?
OmniLock Ultra Paper has been warmly received by industry stakeholders, particularly for its potential to replace non-recyclable, multi-material laminates without sacrificing barrier performance. As regulatory and consumer pressure grows for sustainable packaging solutions, this product addresses an urgent market need.
The next steps in development include further commercialization, expanding its application across various packaging sectors, and scaling production to meet global demand. We are also exploring opportunities to enhance its performance to meet even stricter packaging requirements while maintaining its recyclability, making OmniLock a leading solution for eco-friendly packaging.
The winners of the Sustainability Awards 2024 will be announced at the Sustainable Packaging Summit, taking place in Amsterdam on 12-13 November. The Summit mobilizes leaders of the FMCG value chain, policymakers, NGOs, recyclers and investors to collaborate, remove barriers and identify opportunities on the road to sustainable transformation.
To learn more or register, visit: https://www.packagingsummit.earth/2024
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