Whether flexible packaging such as stand-up pouches is recyclable also depends on the spouts, i.e. the heat-sealed pour spouts. The new LowSealing spouts from Pöppelmann Famac now make it possible to manufacture all components – from the spout and the cap to the pouch – entirely from mono-material, thereby achieving maximum recyclability for the entire packaging. For non-food products, there is now also a variant made from recycled materials with the spouts made from PCR.
With a new generation of spouts and matching caps made from PCR-based polyethylene (PE), Pöppelmann Famac is expanding its portfolio of insertable spouts. The spouts achieve a recycled content of over 90 percent and are suitable for non-food applications such as cosmetics, washing and cleaning products. The material used originates from household waste collection.
This not only makes stand-up pouches recyclable but also equips them with a high proportion of recycled plastics. The PCR spouts can be processed reliably on existing machinery. They will initially be offered in the standard market size with a diameter of 10.5 millimetres and will be complemented by PCR caps made from the corresponding material.
LowSealing-spouts make mono-material solutions easier
For food applications, Pöppelmann Famac is relying on its established LowSealing spouts made from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). The insertable spouts were specifically developed for low-temperature sealing processes and allow for reliable welding into bags made from corresponding mono-materials. This reduces the thermal stress on the bag film, simplifying the production of recyclable spouted pouches made from mono-PE and mono-PP. The background is a technical challenge: If the bag and spout are made from the same material, their melting points are close together. By specifically designing the spouts for low-temperature sealing, it has been possible to increase the delta in the melting points and thus minimise the stress on the film to achieve stable seal connections.
Monocomponent expertise as a response to the PPWR
The development of Spout solutions exemplifies Pöppelmann Famac's approach to consistently considering packaging from a circular economy perspective.
„The industry is looking for solutions that allow recycling requirements to be met without fundamental changes to existing processes. Our PCR and LowSealing spouts show how monomaterial packaging in the flexible stand-up pouch sector can be practically realised.“
Lea Middendorf, Key Account Manager/Sales Famac Packaging
With the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in view, the recyclability of all packaging components is coming into even sharper focus. Monomaterial solutions are an important building block in this regard, as they enable waste streams to be collected and sorted by material type, thus facilitating high-quality recycling.
Source: Pöppelmann
