Huhtamaki launches mono-material flexible packaging

Huhtamaki has developed mono-material flexible packaging in paper, PE and PP Retort.  

Dr Marco Hilty, president of flexible packaging at Huhtamaki, said: ‘What we’ve done, quite simply, is to redesign the future of flexible packaging by setting new industry standards in mono-material solutions.  These blueloop innovations are both unique to Huhtamaki and transformational. They simultaneously deliver recyclability, with no compromise in either product protection or affordability.  This is the power of three.’ 

Hilty added that the new product will support customers reach their commitments many of them have made, including to use only recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging by 2025 and align with the direction of future policy, both in the EU and globally.  

‘Our teams across the world have worked together, tirelessly, to make what was once thought impossible, possible. We have simplified previously complex structures using fewer materials and without the need for an aluminum layer or other barriers with different materials. This breakthrough will therefore increase the value of post-consumer material, providing a greater economic incentive for recycling and supporting circularity. I am extremely proud to share that Huhtamaki is now ready to launch our new, unique innovation at scale, globally,’ Hilty said.   

In 2020 Huhtamaki set itself the target of making its packaging 100 percent recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.  Many food and essential product companies have set similar pledges.  While today much of Huhtamaki’s packaging can already be recycled (70 percent), an area of technical challenge has been lightweight flexible packaging, which although delivering huge benefits – reducing transport emissions, preventing food waste and supporting affordability, is typically not recyclable in today’s post-consumer recovery streams.     

Huhtamaki is this week will launch three sustainable products in mono-material flexible packaging. They are designed for recycling and use fewer materials than the conventional complex and multi-layered materials they are designed to replace. The company claims that the new products are the combination of the highest percentage of mono-material in the market today. 

Huhtamaki’s new innovation provide mono-material flexible packaging in three alternative materials: paper, PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) Retort. The new materials offer a mono-material share of up to 95 percent for PE, and at least 90 percent for paper, and PP. Huhtamaki has invested into new production technologies across its production footprint, building a global supply capacity for the new innovations.    

The innovations will be showcased at Interpack 2023, where Huhtamaki will present its game-changing technologies in the Huhtamaki blueroom, which is open to both existing and new Huhtamaki customers.