As part of our Finalist Interview series ahead of the Sustainability Awards we asked Mauro Vitali, sales manager at Mondi Paper Bags Italy, about the company’s filmless bag, designed for building materials, cement products, chemicals and feed, and nominated in the Pre-Commercialized Renewables category.
You’re a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2024. Congratulations! To start off, could you summarize your entry, in less than 50 words?
IntegoBag is our innovative filmless bag designed to offer excellent moisture protection and extend product shelf life. It replaces traditional free film with a specialized coating, cutting PE content by up to 50%. This sustainable solution suits a range of applications, such as building materials, chemicals, and feeds.
Why do you think the judges were impressed with your entry? Tell us about what is innovative about your project and/or about its impact on packaging sustainability.
I believe the judges were impressed with IntegoBag because it addresses both performance and sustainability in packaging. Our filmless bag uses a specialized coating that provides excellent moisture protection while reducing PE content by up to 50%.
This not only extends product shelf life but also significantly cuts down on plastic use. Moreover, IntegoBag is compatible with existing filling machines and caters to various applications, making it a practical and sustainable alternative.
Its recyclability demonstrates a significant impact on environmental sustainability without compromising functionality. The combination of reduced environmental impact and maintained functionality is what sets our project apart in the realm of packaging sustainability.
Finally, can you tell us about the ongoing development of your project, e.g. how your innovation/initiative has been received by the industry, or what the next steps are in commercialization/product development?
The reception of IntegoBag by industry players so far has been very positive, with significant interest in its sustainability and performance benefits. We are currently working closely with global players in the industry such as Saint Gobain, and by putting together our R&D efforts we ensure the innovative product meets each customer’s specific needs.
The next steps involve working closely with our customers to commercialize the product, ensuring it meets their specific needs. We are also constantly trialling to enhance all product features, aiming to make IntegoBag a high-performing solution that consistently fulfills our customers’ requirements.
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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