Berry Global has developed a ventilated PE bag solution that contains 50% post-consumer recycled plastic content (PCR) for construction chemicals company Schomburg, aiming to reduce its product losses and carbon footprint.
Schomburg has transitioned its construction chemicals powder products from paper packaging sacks to a bespoke version of Berry’s ventilated NorDiVent film bags. The NorDiVent film is said to offer pack recyclability, water resistance to protect the pack contents and includes recycled plastic, reducing the use of virgin materials.
According to Berry, NorDiVent features a durable and waterproof construction which ensures air is let out in a dust-free manner, providing effective moisture protection for products that need to be kept dry and enabling sacks to be stored outdoors. The film’s high tear resistance aims to offer further product protection and help avoid spillages and product waste throughout the supply chain. The quality of the film is said to allow printing in up to eight colours to maximize on-shelf presence.
Since making the switch, Schomburg has reported a reduction in product losses compared to its previous packaging. Berry says it has downgauged the Schomburg NorDiVent bags by 7.14% and incorporated 50% PCR with no compromise on the bags’ performance, leading to a reduction of approximately 39% Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Berry states that the Global Warming Potential (GWP) savings presented are based on comparisons between the materials used in its NorDiVent FFS film with 50% recycled plastic content and NorDiVent films made from 100% prime resins. It adds that all data used in these calculations is sourced from recent, peer-reviewed publications, primarily from the UK and EU, with references available upon request. The calculations utilize ceiling values for the various polymers in the product’s bill of materials.
“The solution we have devised for Schomburg demonstrates our technical skills in the design and manufacture of products that support both our own and our customers’ sustainability objectives, while maintaining the highest levels of quality and reliability,” commented Frank Heseding, sales director for Berry Global’s Flexible Films Division.
Berry Global’s European Flexibles division recently reported a 36% year-on-year increase in the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene (PE) across its industrial, consumer (non-contact sensitive), and agricultural film products. The company has incorporated 4,386 tonnes of PCR content into a variety of its flexible film products, including primary packaging applications such as form-fill-seal and heavy-duty sacks used in construction and chemical industries.
In October, Mondi launched its alternative to free film paper bags used in the construction industry, IntegoBag, said to reduce plastic by up to 50% and ensure the shelf life of building materials through protective barrier coatings. Apparently, the solution has the same strength performance for processing as a standard paper bag with free film, can run on existing filling machinery and is puncture-resistant with good printability.
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