A new range of SEE (formerly Sealed Air)’s BubbleWrap Brand inflatable air pillows – now containing a minimum of 95% recycled plastic content – has been revealed in the hopes of helping e-commerce and fulfilment companies reach their sustainability targets.
The new BubbleWrap Extreme HRC Air Pillows contain a mix of 40% post-industrial recycled and 55% post-consumer recycled plastic. SEE’s BubbleWrap Brand Rocket packaging system can be used to inflate them; the process is thought to produce one hundred pillows per minute, allowing quick and consistent inflation on demand and reducing storage requirements.
These pillows are also thinner than LDPE inflatable cushions. This is set to cut down on both material usage and energy consumption while maintaining the performance and protective qualities of the packaging.
BubbleWrap Extreme HRC Air Pillows are available in four widths: 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, and 350mm.
“We’ve developed a thinner protective air pillow film of 20 microns, which uses around 20% less plastic content than comparable performance air pillows that are 25 microns,” explains Andrea Questa, fulfilment marketing manager EMEA at SEE. “This enables companies to reduce packaging material usage and can help further improve sustainability through lower energy consumption during the manufacturing of packaging and the transportation of packaged goods.
“The high density BubbleWrap brand Extreme HRC Air Pillows have effective air retention to provide a lightweight void fill and protective cushioning solution.
“BubbleWrap brand Extreme HRC Air Pillows are available in long rolls of 1,280 metres to meet operator requirements for fewer packaging changeovers and to minimize scheduled downtime. The Rocket system and Extreme HRC Air Pillows are an ideal solution for operators processing between 250 – 500 packages per day and who are keen to meet growing demands for sustainable packaging and supply chains.”
SEE has reached the finals of this year’s Sustainability Awards – nominated under the Recyclable Packaging category for its TempGuard insulated bag for chilled products.
Flöter Verpackungs-Service’s FSC-certified, 100% recycled PaperWave Bio paper air cushions received the WorldStar Packaging Award under the e-commerce category this year; and the complementary PaperWave Box, said to reduce cushioning material inside the box by 40%, has been nominated under the same category at the Sustainability Awards.
Meanwhile, Dow and Procter & Gamble China previously unveiled their mono-PE air capsule for e-commerce packaging. It is said to cut down on material usage and reduce packaging weight by over 40% compared to traditional corrugated parcel boxes.
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:
The L’Oréal approach to packaging sustainability
What steps is Apple taking to make its packaging more sustainable?
How did Brazil achieve its 100% aluminium can recycling rate – and can it be replicated in the EU?
Experts have their say on the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive revisions
Also, if you’re interested in packaging sustainability, you will want to attend our Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam on 14-15 November. The Summit brings together leaders and pioneers from across the industry to align strategically, learn, network, and create a critical mass to accelerate change. You can learn more by clicking here, and you can buy a ticket to attend here.
No comments yet