Sustainable plastic packaging innovations at the German Packaging Award

Wash-off labels made of 100% PCR material
Submitted by: HERMA GmbH

The label material consists of a PE film with a polymer content of 100% post-consumer recycled material, and even the masterbatch used is based on PCR-PE. The white label film can be printed very well using standard printing processes such as flexo, offset, digital and screen printing.

HERMA 62Rpw is a wash-off pressure-sensitive adhesive that can be removed without residue in the recycling process at temperatures as low as 70°C and with a low lye concentration. This recyclable solution made of 100% recycled material thus helps to successfully close recycling loops.

3 Circles Bottle
Submitted by: Dekron GmbH & Krones AG

The “3 Circles” bottle is because it is made of 100% recycled PET and consciously does away with a label that cannot normally be fully recycled. Instead, it is decorated using direct digital printing: the inks used in this process dissolve in the recycling process without residue, so the bottle material can be completely used again for food packaging.

A tethered cap was chosen as a closure. This remains firmly attached to the bottle body even after having been opened so meets the requirements of EU Directive 2019/904.

ORMOCER and bioORMOCER-based barrier concepts for environmentally friendly packaging of the future
Submitted by: Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC

The ORMOCER and bioORMOCER bio-based and biodegradable coatings are highly functional and can achieve barriers comparable to those otherwise offered by multilayer structures at very low layer thicknesses of 1 - 3 µm.

The multifunctional coatings enable the use of recyclable polymeric monomaterials or paper-based and biodegradable packaging materials for food or pharmaceutical packaging.

With the coatings, recyclable mono-materials or even paper and compostable materials can replace previous multilayer packaging, even when there are high barrier requirements, thus contributing to recycling management.

Pure-Line
Submitted by: SÜDPACK Verpackungen GmbH & Co. KG

With the Pure-Line, SÜDPACK offers a range of composite films that are characterized by particularly good recyclability and high product protection as tubular bag applications or thermoformed packaging. With both packaging concepts for minced meat, material savings of up to 60% can be achieved compared to tray packaging.

Furthermore, the good sealability enables fast and efficient processing even at high cycle rates on all common form fill and seal machines. Thanks to their high barrier properties, both film concepts offer good protective properties as standard packaging with trays and the typical shape and consistency of the minced meat is retained. The integrated anti-fog effect also prevents the packaging from fogging.

MonoFlow(re)
Submitted by: Schur Flexibles Holding GesmbH

With the MonoFlow system the Schur Flexibles Group has succeeded in replacing the previous plastic tray packaging with a tubular bag packaging that is completely new for e.g. minced meat.

A film solution has been developed that makes it possible to change from the well-known tray system to a recyclable PP tubular bag and also saves approximately 60% plastic material. Nevertheless, it meets the high barrier requirements for fresh minced meat.

Recyclable PE-based thermoformed packaging with paper sleeve
Submitted by: Wipak Walsrode GmbH & Co. KG

Wipak has created a package that is easy to recycle with this newly developed vacuum pack made of two adhesive-free, unprinted PE films. A paper sleeve completes the concept. The consumer intuitively separates the sleeve during use which can be disposed of and recycled with the waste paper.

All necessary product information is printed on the sleeve, so that the plastic content is completely unprinted when it is sent for recycling. This easily handled and recyclable packaging results in a CO2 footprint reduction of up to 30%.