In this edition of the Spotlight, Innovia Films explains how its Packaging Division is leading the charge as sustainability and regulatory pressures reshape the packaging industry, with a “groundbreaking” portfolio of engineered films designed to meet the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
At Fachpack 2025, the company is set to showcase innovations that aim to revolutionize flexible packaging design and recyclability. We sat down with key leaders from Innovia to discuss their new technologies, investments, and commitment to sustainable packaging.
Q: What are the main PPWR-driven innovations you’re presenting at the show?
Alasdair McEwen, head of Packaging Division Europe: Our exhibit is focused on two main areas. Number one being films that enable the transition from multi-material to mono-material structures in flexible packaging - this is critical for recyclability.
The second major area is our Encore portfolio, which features BOPP films made with recycled content from three sources: mechanically recycled post-consumer content, chemically recycled food-grade materials, and plastics recovered from marine environments. These films support the industry’s shift from a linear to a circular economy, in line with the PPWR’s requirements for recycled content integration.
Q: Megan, tell us about the new technologies behind your high-performance films.
Megan Hinkley, senior product manager of Packaging: We’ve recently commissioned a new extrusion line in Germany using LISIM stretching technology, which enables the production of Propafilm™ CHS and CHT. These films are designed to replace PET in mono-material laminates.
They’re thermally stable, printable, and dimensionally robust - perfect for demanding uses like retort. CHS offers single-side corona treatment, while CHT has treatment on both sides, giving converters flexibility in packaging applications.
Q: Are there solutions for barrier properties traditionally achieved with foil or metallized PET?
Alasdair McEwen: Yes, and that’s a critical part of our innovation strategy. Our new ultra-high barrier metallised BOPP films are engineered to replace foil or MPET.
They deliver outstanding oxygen and moisture barrier performance while remaining within recyclable mono-material structures. When laminated with CHS or CHT as the outer web and one of our cast polypropylene films as the sealant, they meet design-for-recycling guidelines without compromising protection.
Q: You also have a retortable barrier film – how does that work in mono-material packaging?
McEwen: Our AlOx-coated high-barrier films can now serve as a recyclable alternative to AlOx or SiOx-coated PET. Paired with CHS or CHT, they offer strong barrier performance even after the retort process.
This ensures food safety and shelf stability, while still aligning with recyclability targets. It’s about removing the trade-off between sustainability and functionality.
Q: What about rigid or semi-rigid applications, like yogurt pots?
Megan Hinkley: We’re particularly excited about our clear solid white and cavitated BOPP films for banderoles, which can replace paper - a material that often contaminates recycling streams when used with plastic containers.
Our films are designed to work with polypropylene cups and lids, creating a fully recyclable system. They also reduce virgin plastic use and improve rigidity and resistance, which benefits both handling and protection during transport.
Q: Finally, can you explain your new developments in lidding films?
Hinkley: We’re offering lidding films that can replace traditional paper/foil structures. They can be printed, embossed and sealed directly onto polypropylene containers. Thanks to our bubble extrusion process, they have balanced properties, excellent dimensional stability, and die-cutting performance, regardless of orientation. This results in improved production efficiency and recyclability.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s Innovia’s long-term vision in the context of sustainable packaging?
McEwen: We’re committed to enabling a circular economy in packaging. That means continuous investment in technology, expanding our local production capabilities across Europe and the Americas, and most importantly, collaborating with brands and converters to develop packaging that meets regulatory and environmental demands without compromise.
Visit Innovia Films at Fachpack 2025 to experience their mono-material solutions in action and explore how innovation and compliance can go hand in hand for a sustainable packaging future.
This content was sponsored by Innovia Films.
