Sun Chemical wins sustainability award

Sun Chemical received the 2023 Flexographic Technical Association's (FTA) sustainability excellence award for innovations in sustainability.

The award commends Sun Chemical's collection of mono-web protective coatings, which provide mono-web film structures as alternatives to the lamination structures typically found in labels and flexible packaging, such as wrappers and pouches.

Adopting mono-web structures instead of lamination can lead to savings in adhesive, film, processing time and final label weight, all of which decrease the environmental footprint and use of resources.

'Sun Chemical is excited to be awarded with the FTA's sustainability excellence award this year,' said Heather Buchholz, manager of global marketing at Sun Chemical. 'To be recognized for our mono-web coatings and the impact they have on driving circularity in packaging is tremendous as it acknowledges our approach and commitment to the market. And we're not done. This award reinforces our drive and commitment at Sun Chemical to continue innovating solutions that will address our customers' sustainability challenges and benefit the markets we serve.'

'Sun Chemical continues to demonstrate its leadership in bringing innovative sustainability solutions to the packaging market,' said Dr. Nikola Juhasz, global technical director of sustainability at Sun Chemical. 'This industry recognition is a true honor, and it gives us confidence that we are working on the right programs to deliver the technologies that are needed.'

Numerous labels and flexible packaging on the market today consist of intricate, multi-layer structures that utilize alternative plastic films and necessitate lamination, making recycling more difficult. These elaborate structures consume more raw material resources and generate higher emissions during production, and they can also increase a package's weight, ultimately raising transportation emissions.

Sun Chemical's portfolio of mono-web coatings addresses all these concerns while also performing on press just as the multi-layer laminated structures would, and withstanding common abrasion, rubbing and other environmental resistances during transportation, sorting and on-shelf conditions.

'The FTA sustainability excellence awards emphasize the exceptional work the flexographic industry contributes to improving our environment and society,' said Doreen Monteleone, FTA sustainability consultant. 'Every entry exhibited leadership, forward thinking and a willingness to do better. It was challenging to narrow down the winners. We are pleased to recognize those that made a transformative impact on sustainability in flexography.'