CEFLEX has now introduced guidelines to help develop recyclable consumer packaging solutions in the flexible packaging value chain and boost a circular economy.
13. July 2020
In March 2020, Follmann joined the CEFLEX cooperation initiative. The company supplies water-based printing inks for flexible packaging. (Image: Follmann)
The European CEFLEX initiative has now introduced new comprehensive guidelines. They are intended to help develop recyclable consumer packaging solutions in the flexible packaging value chain and boost a circular economy.
The Designing for a Circular Economy (D4ACE)-guidelines were issued by the Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) Initiative - a partnership of more than 160 European companies, associations and organisations - and developed together with the entire flexible packaging value chain.
CEFLEX supports the sorting and recycling infrastructure
The new D4ACE guidelines are a catalyst for change. The aim is to, produce high-quality recycled materials, that are used in a larger number of sustainable end markets. This in turn should help to support the necessary investments in sorting and recycling infrastructure to bring all flexible packaging into circulation.
The Focus on polyolefin-based structures, which account for more than 80 per cent of flexible consumer packaging on the European market. The guidelines provide recommendations on the key elements of flexible packaging. These include the materials, barrier layers and coatings used, as well as colours and adhesives. They build on the work of Project Barrier, a Pioneering project of the New Plastics Economy Initiative and current best practices.
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(Image: CEFLEX)
„Achieving a circular economy is a major challenge. It can only be achieved through extensive collaboration, innovation and investment. The Designing for a Circular Economy (D4ACE) -“The new guidelines show that the required level of collaboration is possible. This brings together hundreds of stakeholders and wider industry consultations to define a set of design principles for a circular economy for all flexible consumer packaging." Graham Houlder, CEFLEX Project Coordinator
Based on good sorting and recycling processes in Europe, the D4ACE guidelines were developed for all players in the flexible packaging value chain developed. The document is also intended as a guide for brands and retailers to help them make conscious design decisions.
Guidelines for all European countries
With the guidelines, which are regularly reviewed, CEFLEX aims to promote the introduction of collection, sorting and recycling systems for flexible packaging. in all European countries support. In a second phase of activity that has already begun, the initiative Independent testing of many other flexible packaging structures in order to promote the development of additional guidelines.
