Every year, 2.12 billion tons of waste are produced, and waste production will continue to rise. It is predicted that in 2050, 3.40 billion tons of waste will be generated in cities alone. In order to counteract this development, Constantia Flexibles developed a new, more sustainable packaging line named Ecolutions.

Besides packaging producers, end consumers are becoming more aware of the need to reduce waste production too. According to a survey commissioned by Constantia Flexibles, 80% of end consumers prefer an eco-friendlier package over a regular one and would pay up to 15% more for recyclable and compostable packaging.

“As the world’s fourth largest flexible packaging producer, we know about our responsibility toward the environment, as well as the requests of the end consumers. Thus, our goal is to drive a change in the industry for more sustainable packaging solutions”, says Alexander Baumgartner, CEO of Constantia Flexibles.

The packaging line Ecolutions meets sustainable requirements, reduces the carbon footprint of packaging, focuses on recyclable solutions and decreases the impact on the environment. In addition to the sustainable characteristics, the packaging solutions have all the properties required to protect the packaged products.

Several characteristics make the Mono PE laminate EcoLam more sustainable: It is lightweight, and its OPE/PE structure is fully recycle-ready due to its mono-material structure. In addition, its carbon footprint is approximately 32% smaller than that of comparable products. Another advantage of the EcoLam packaging line are the great barrier properties. From Eco Lam, to EcoLamPlus to EcoLamHighPlus, the level of moisture, oxygen and even aroma, as well as mineral oil, is getting higher and higher.

For common high barrier packaging solutions, usually multi-material laminates are used to achieve high barrier properties. But the lamination of different material groups can hamper the recycling process. EcoLamPlus and EcoLam HighPlus combine excellent barrier properties with the environmental benefits of a mono-material, which can be fully recycled.

EcoLam is used by Asian Paints. India’s largest “Do it Yourself” manufacturer has switched all their DIY products from PET/PE to EcoLam. In addition, dry pet food, laundry products including powders, tabs and capsules can be packed in EcoLam. Because of the quality oxygen and moisture barrier, EcoLamPlus is suitable for meat, cheese and dairy products in pouches. As EcoLamHighPlus provides an additional high barrier against both moisture and oxygen, it is tideal for salad dressings and coffee beans.

When replacing one million standard aluminum lids with EcoCover, savings can be achieved equal the amount of CO2 emitted by approximately one passenger car driven for one year. This corresponds to a reduction of the carbon footprint of up to 50%, which can be achieved by downgauging of the aluminum thickness, which saves valuable resources. Although the thickness of the aluminum layer is reduced, the material can still be identified as aluminum and sorted for aluminum recycling. In combination with UV flexo printing the production of EcoCover is also completely solvent free. The product is also characterized by a high corrosion resistance, a wide range of sealing temperature, as well as easy peeling properties. All these qualities make EcoCover suitable for yogurt cups, other food and pharma products.

EcoTainerAlu is an alumini-around foil container system mainly used for pet food. Thanks to a new, water-based – instead of a solvent-based – coating system for the container, as well as for the punched lid, the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be avoided. In addition, no chromated foil is used for this packaging solution and it is recyclable via the aluminium recycling stream. So, EcoTainerAlu fulfills sustainable requirements but also perfectly preserves the packaged product.

“Our packaging line for more sustainability will continue to be extended. At the moment, we are working on compostable solutions for small packagings, such as stick packs, which hardly can be recycled”, says Baumgartner.