Alcion Packaging Solutions has long stood as a hallmark of transformation and innovation within the plastic industry.
Celebrating 80 years in operation is a remarkable achivement - one attained by only a select number of enterprises. Established in 1945, ALCION began as a modest Bakelite processing workshop and has since evolved into a globally recognised manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging. This journey has been underscored by a commitment to forward-thinking innovation, continuous investment in technology, and an enduring dedication to quality and sustainability.
The company’s progress is underpinned by a highly capable and committed workforce - comprising machine operators, engineers specialising in in R&D and industrial processes, logistics professionals, human resources specialists, and commercial technicians. Each member of the Alcion team has brought expertise and professionalism to bear, ensuring our packaging consistently meets the most stringent standards. A culture of cross-functional collaboration and transparent communication has been pivotal in maintaining our position as a leader in the sector for eight decades.
As we mark this anniversary, we take great pride in our legacy, reaffirm our commitment to the present, and look to the future with confidence and ambition.
We warmly invite you to discover the spirit of innovation in the plastic industry that defines Alcion Packaging Solutions!
We will talk about...
ALCION’s continued success is rooted in its ability to embrace evolution, innovation, and provide solutions that enhance the functionality, safety, and environmental performance of plastic packaging. In the current climate — where sustainable innovation is more vital than ever — Alcion remains at the forefront.
Historically, the company has specialised in packaging solutions tailored to the industrial sector, with particular expertise in the chemical and agrochemical industries. This specialist knowledge has enabled us to design and manufacture high-performance packaging, safe and efficient solutions that adheres to the most rigorous international regulations.
As new regulatory frameworks drive a shift towards more sustainable materials, Alcion remains proactive — developing forward-looking packaging solutions aligned with environmental best practices.
Since our inception, we have prioritised innovation and responsiveness to both societal expectations and market trends, continuously designing packaging systems that shape the industry’s future.
Find out more information: Alcion Packaging Solutions: manufacture of custom plastic packaging
A cornerstone of Alcion’s sustainability strategy is the integration of recycled materials into our production processes, all of which are certified in accordance with UNE-EN 15343.
This approach significantly contributes to the reduction of our carbon footprint and supports the principles of a circular economy — where materials are reused and given new life. We have consistently invested in the development of techniques that enable the use of recycled content without compromising the structural integrity or performance of the final product.
Alcion is regarded as a leading manufacturer of sustainable barrier packaging solutions, which provide optimal protection against environmental factors such as light, humidity, oxygen, and temperature fluctuations.
Through advanced multi-layer coextrusion technologies and plasma barrier treatment, we produce packaging that effectively mitigates risks of degradation, leakage, or deformation — ensuring the safe and stable storage of sensitive products.
Creating packaging that provides practical and efficient solutions for storage and transportation is at the core of APS.
Our packaging is developed with ease of use, storage, and transport in mind — ultimately improving both operational efficiency and the user experience. This focus not only reduces waste and costs, but also contributes directly to our sustainability goals and supports our customers’ logistical and commercial needs.
Alcion’s sustained leadership in innovation in the plastic industry is largely attributable to our early and ongoing adoption of advanced, sustainable production technologies.
Our Aldaia production facility was established with blow moulding as its foundational technology. This enabled the manufacture of HDPE containers suitable for a range of markets — including cosmetics, personal care, household detergents, and certain chemical and agrochemical products — all while maintaining high recyclability standards.
This division, implemented alongside the blow extrusion section, is responsible for the production of closures and complementary components that optimise the performance of our packaging systems. The injection moulding process ensures precise fit, enhanced sealing, and overall product integrity.
The coextrusion process allows for the manufacture of multi-layer structure by extruding several polymers simultaneously. One or more of these layers may feature barrier properties, resulting in robust packaging suitable for hazardous materials and compliant with ADR certification. This process represents a significant technological advancement, improving resistance and barrier properties.
Keep learning: Keys and advances of sustainable plastic packaging
The introduction of plasma technology in the 21st century has marked a turning point in our manufacturing capabilities. This method enables the creation of single-layer HDPE packaging with enhanced barrier properties, while maintaining full recyclability. Plasma treatment accelerates the surface coating process, yielding high-performance packaging with a lower environmental impact.
Thanks to this innovation, ALCION was awarded the GOLDPACK Prize for Best Circular Economy Project in 2024, highlighting its leadership in implementing sustainable technologies in plastic barrier packaging manufacturing.
Alcion Packaging Solutions’ greatest commitment to achieving innovation in the plastic industry is prioritizing socio-environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Alcion is deeply committed to the continuous pursuit of a circular economy.
Our packaging is designed based on certain eco-design parameters, and its production is environmentally friendly, prioritizing recycling and optimized shipping services to reduce environmental impact.
Fully aware of its commitment to sustainable development and its contribution to the circular economy, Alcion has achieved and maintains important certifications in line with the highest international standards:
With 80 years of experience behind us, ALCION remains steadfast in its investment in research and development, always seeking to stay at the cutting edge of innovation and sustainability.
On this landmark anniversary, APS celebrates not only a distinguished past but a future filled with opportunity and progress. We reaffirm our role as a benchmark in the global plastic packaging industry and commit to continued excellence in innovation, quality, and environmental stewardship.
Alcion is your perfect partner in plastic packaging innovation - helping shape a more sustainable future, together
In the plastic packaging manufacturing industry, controlling specific technical parameters is key to ensuring functionality, efficiency in use, and the acceptance of the final product. One such parameter, often overlooked at first glance, is the ovality of cylindrical containers.
But what is ovality, and why is it so important?
In this article, we will explore the concept of ovality, its impact, and how it influences the design, production, and performance of cylindrical plastic containers throughout their lifespan.
We will talk about...
Ovality is defined as the deviation from a perfect cylindrical shape. In other words, it measures how close a cylindrical container is to being perfectly round. In the plastic industry, deviations in this parameter can arise from various factors, such as the manufacturing process, material behavior during processing, and even storage or transportation conditions.
Ovality is typically measured by calculating the difference between a containers’ maximum and minimum diameters. It is expressed as a percentage, obtained by dividing this difference by the nominal diameter. High ovality values indicate significant deformation, whereas low values signify a more uniform product. Each container has a defined tolerance limit based on its technical specifications.
You may be interested in: What is paneling in a plastic container?
Excessive ovality can hinder the automatic filling processes, as containers may not fit correctly into the machine holders. Additionally, improper shape can cause sealing defects, leading to leaks and product contamination.
Containers with high ovality are less stable, particularly when stacked. This increases the risk of tipping over and sustaining damage during transportation and storage, ultimately affecting customer perception of quality.
In today’s highly competitive market, packaging appearance is crucial. Containers with visible deformations may be perceived as defective or of lower quality, negatively impacting brand image and consumer trust.
Controlling ovality allows for optimized wall thickness, reducing production costs and, consequently, minimising environmental impact by using only the necessary amount of material.
Ovality deviations beyond acceptable limits can hinder proper label application. Labels may wrinkle, shift, or fail to adhere uniformly, affecting product presentation and making critical information, such as ingredients, barcodes, or usage instructions, difficult to read.
Ensuring that ovality remains within acceptable limits requires several key considerations :
In summary, ovality is a critical factor that influences the functionality, aesthetics and efficiency of cylindrical rigid plastic containers. Proper control of this parameter enhances performance across packaging production and distribution processes while reinforcing consumers’ perception of quality. In a highly technical industry, attention to details like ovality can determine or failure a container.
You may be interested in: Sustainable plastic storage of chemicals: An approach to the circular economy and safety
It is essential to remember that a plastic container’s structural integrity is influenced throughout the whole production process, especially as it exists the blow molding station at high temperatures.
At APS, we maintain strict compliance with the ovality parameters defined in our production technical specifications, conducting in-lie checks to detect and correct any deviations. Contact us! Our team will help you find the perfect container for your product!
The GoldPack Awards are an initiative of the Packaging Innovation Cluster and specifically, the Award for the Best Circular Economy Project is proposed to recognize excellent projects in different areas of the business Circular Economy, such as the implementation of sustainable production practices that minimize waste generation and/or promote recycling, among several other aspects.
In its first edition 2024, the jury has recognized ALCION PACKAGING SOLUTIONS as deserving of this award for our Circular Economy Project based on the Implementation of a new technology: Chemical Generation of Barrier by Plasma. A disruptive technology that revolutionizes our field of barrier packaging in terms of recycling and environmental impact, which allows to go from a multi-layer multi-material structure to a mono-material with barrier properties, applying surface treatment using Plasma that provides the protective barrier to the packaging. This has materialized in a new line of plastic containers for the packaging of chemical products, manufactured using a disruptive and pioneering technology in Spain. 5 and 10l jerrycans for the industrial sector and approved for the transport of dangerous goods (UN marking), analysed in the design phase to optimise their behaviour and facilitate the circularity of the packaging.
Multilayer barrier packaging presents a significant challenge in terms of recycling. Although there are possibilities through Chemical Recycling, it involves the use of solvents and is a high-cost process, compared to mechanical recycling. The plasma technology that we have implemented at ALCION appears to solve the recyclability of these barrier containers as it allows them to be recycled 100% mechanically and provide greater environmental benefits, using highly efficient state-of-the-art electrical equipment that, in our facilities, consumes energy of 100% renewable origin. In addition, these containers facilitate a better use of the packaged product. The plasma produces a modification of the surface tension that allows a greater sliding and emptying of the packaged product, reducing the loss of residual product that remains in the container, thus achieving the Objective of offering a Barrier Container integrated into a closed recycling circuit (HDPE).
At ALCION PACKAGING SOLUTIONS we have been working for years to achieve plastic packaging that not only meets the needs of the market, but also contributes to a more sustainable future. This award is for us "a validation of these efforts and a reminder of the importance of continuing on this path", which is why we continue to work on other projects such as the incorporation of recycled materials certified UNE EN 15343:2008 to our packaging that will also be marketed with their corresponding approval for the transportation of dangerous goods (UN marking).
Follow us on LinkedIn.
Don't miss our achievements.
INNOVATING TO BE SUSTAINABLE
We will talk about...
The term post-industrial recycled plastic refers to plastic materials discarded in industrial processes that do not reach the market for final consumer sale. This includes production waste, cut-offs, or scraps from manufacturers using plastic in their production processes.
Post-industrial plastic is typically of fairly good quality and can be recycled and reused for the same production process or for the creation of new plastic products. By recycling this type of plastic and reintegrating it into the same transformation process, it prevents it from ending up in landfills and contributes to a more sustainable use of resources.
Examples of post-industrial plastic may include manufacturing waste from packaging such as bottles and jerrycans, pipe waste, electronic components, among others. These waste materials are collected, sorted, and processed by a waste manager to give them a new purpose, avoiding the use of virgin plastic and reducing environmental impact.
Post-consumer recycled plastic, or PCR, refers to plastic that has been collected, sorted, and processed to be reused after its life as a consumer product. This means the plastic has been used by consumers and then recycled for subsequent use in manufacturing new products. Using post-consumer recycled plastic to manufacture new products helps reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and conserves the natural resources used in virgin plastic production.
Keep reading: Challenges in Plastic packaging and the environment
Both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled plastic must be homologated for use in the manufacturing of new packaging. Homologating recycled plastic involves subjecting it to tests and analyses to ensure it meets the necessary quality and safety requirements for use in packaging.
This ensures that recycled plastic does not contain hazardous substances and has the proper mechanical properties to fulfill its function as packaging. Homologation is also crucial to guarantee the traceability of recycled materials and promote transparency in the recycling process.
There is no single global standard for homologating recycled plastic. Many countries have regulations and standards related to recycling and waste management, including post-consumer plastic. These standards may vary depending on the country and its environmental legislation.
The European standard specifying the necessary procedures for the traceability of recycled plastics is UNE-EN 15343. This standard provides the basis for calculating the recycled content of a product: "Recycled plastics. Traceability and assessment of conformity for recycled plastics and recycled content." It establishes requirements and test methods for recycled plastics from municipal solid waste and mechanical recycling of plastic packaging, enabling them to be used in the manufacturing of non-food products.
UNE-EN 15343 is a European standard that sets requirements and test methods for recycled plastics intended for use in manufactured products. Its goal is to ensure that recycled plastics have suitable properties for use in products, complying with quality and safety standards.
Keep learning: Sustainable plastic storage of chemicals: An approach to the circular economy and safety
The standard establishes criteria for classifying recycled plastics into different categories based on their origin, recycling processes, and technical characteristics. It also sets minimum quality requirements for these recycled plastics, including physical, mechanical, and thermal properties.
Additionally, it defines the testing methods that should be used to determine the properties of recycled plastics, including tests for strength, hardness, density, thermal stability, among others.
Its importance lies in standardizing the requirements and test methods for recycled plastic used in plastic products. It is crucial for promoting the use of recycled plastic as an alternative that supports sustainability, reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste, and fosters a circular economy.
The UNE-EN 15343 standard establishes quality and safety criteria to ensure that recycled plastic meets the technical and health requirements necessary for its use in plastic products. This is essential to ensure that products made with recycled plastic are safe for users and comply with established technical specifications.
In conclusion, the homologation of recycled plastic, whether post-industrial or post-consumer, plays a fundamental role in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy. The UNE-EN 15343 standard serves as an essential pillar by setting rigorous criteria for the quality and safety of recycled plastics used in the manufacturing of new products.
This standard not only contributes to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste but also promotes environmental awareness and encourages the adoption of more responsible practices in plastic material management. Adhering to these standards promotes the creation of more sustainable packaging, mitigating the negative effects of plastic on the environment and moving towards a greener future.
Do you need help choosing the right plastic packaging for your product? Contact us!
“Paneling” in a plastic container is the phenomenon in which the walls of the container deform or collapse, generating visible ripples or wrinkles. Paneling is the deformation of the sides of the plastic container when it is subjected to external/internal pressure. This can happen during the storage, transportation, or handling of the products.
Paneling can have a negative impact on the appearance of the packaging and, in some cases, can affect the integrity of the packaged product and, of course, the image of the manufacturer brand of that packaged product.
We will talk about...
There are several reasons why a plastic container with chemical formulations inside could collapse.
Keep reading: How to ensure the preservation of the agrochemical
Some of the factors that can cause paneling are the following:
However, to avoid paneling a container, we recommend selecting the right plastic container. Use packaging with the optimal structural composition (monolayer or with co-extruded barrier layer or plasma fluorination) and weight, of quality and resistance, which is capable of withstanding the external forces to which it will be subjected during its shelf life, as well as internal pressures due to possible alterations and internal reactions of the packaged formulation.
In addition, correct handling must be carried out, ensuring that the containers are handled correctly, avoiding bumps, excessive stacking or irregular pressures, and using appropriate packaging or palletizing systems to protect the containers during transport and storage.
On our side, from the point of view of the construction and design of our plastic packaging, APS takes into account:
By following these measures, the likelihood of paneling on packaging can be minimized, ensuring product integrity and consumer satisfaction.
In short, a plastic container containing chemical formulations can collapse due to the internal pressure generated, the chemical reaction with the plastic, changes in temperature or external pressure, or damage to the structure of the container. It is important to use suitable and resistant packaging to store and transport these types of chemical formulations, which generally require approval according to ADR (European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and marked with their respective identification number.
Carrying out packaging-product compatibility tests for packaging chemicals is important in order to ensure that the packaging and the chemical are compatible and that there are no negative interactions that could compromise the quality of the packaged product or the safety of the user.
From APS we recommend our customers to carry out the following steps to check the compatibility of the product with the packaging seen as a set (container + cap):
APS has a specific department that is responsible for supplying small series of its containers and/or caps duly identified so that our customers can carry out the relevant tests.
It is important to note that these packaging-product compatibility tests are only one part of the evaluation of the safety and quality of the packaging for the storage of chemicals. Other aspects, such as local regulations and labeling requirements, must also be taken into account to ensure the proper storage and handling of these chemicals. For this reason, we always recommend consulting the regulations and recommendations of the country where the product is going to be marketed beforehand.
In general, the transport and handling of these chemicals normally requires compliance with the ADR (European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road). To determine if a plastic container complies with ADR and the legislation for the transport of dangerous goods, at APS we verify that it complies with characteristics such as:
In addition, we provide our customers with information on the materials used in their manufacture and their resistance to hazardous substances, as well as the temperature and pressure limits to which they may be subjected.
Keep reading: Product Counterfeiting – APS Solutions
Based on all the tests and parameters tested, the packaging will be certified according to ADR (UN mark) by an authorized body to ensure that it complies with the safety standards established by current legislation.
In case of doubt, it is advisable to consult the specific regulations of each country and, in the case of international transport, the ADR, for precise and up-to-date information on the requirements that plastic packaging must meet for the transport of dangerous goods.
The registration number of a plastic container certified according to ADR (European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) contains the following information:
An UN symbol followed by a nomenclature that indicates:
Marking example:
UN 3H1/Y1.4/140/23/E/J-10033/APS
This marking means the following, as explained:
Do you need more information? Contact us!
For the past three years, we have been holding our annual event, which we share with our customers. This year we presented our Circular Economy Project at the III APS’ Open Days 2023.
We invite you to find out how it was!
We will talk about...
During the III APS 2023 Open Days held in October, different presentations were made by leading professionals that support a Circular Economy Project in the world of plastic packaging.
This year, under the slogan INNOVATING TO BE SUSTAINABLE, we showed our APS’ Circular Economy Project that combines the areas of Innovation and Sustainability for the design and manufacture of our sustainable plastic packaging for the chemical products, often classified as "hazardous".
Generally speaking, the concept of circular economy refers to the combination of Economy and Environment in order to optimise the use of resources and minimise the generation of waste. Unlike the traditional linear economic model based on extraction, manufacture, use and disposal, this new way of conceiving the economy is based on promoting the reuse, repair, recycling and renewal of products and materials.
In this way, it seeks to transform the way goods and services are produced and consumed, promoting a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach, reducing pressure on ecosystems, and mitigating negative impacts. But it can also generate economic opportunities and promote innovation in product and process design.
Many companies wonder how to apply the foundations of the circular economy to the manufacture of plastic packaging, a product that, at first glance, may seem insignificant and far from being complex.
As María Coronado, Head of Communication and Marketing at Alcion Packaging Solutions, explained in her presentation of the Open Days, from our point of view it implies a holistic approach that covers from design to the end of its life cycle.
For his part, José Antonio Lapuente, Head of Product Development at APS, showed the different tools that allow us to improve the design of packaging, shortening deadlines and saving resources. Some of them are:
From the outset, the design must promote the circularity of plastic packaging, turning it into a practical, qualitative, aesthetic element that helps logistics and always complies with current legislation.
You might also like: Sustainable plastic storage of chemicals: An approach to the circular economy and safety
In addition, it must be able to propose a reduction in the carbon footprint and be aligned with environmental circularity, that is: reducing weight but achieving more robustness, increasing the possibilities of recyclability, reducing manufacturing costs, etc. But, above all, it must allow the correct industrialization, that is, to be able to make it a reality, and provide more and more improvements in its characteristics and mechanical properties as well as in its behavior against the product it will contain.
José Fernández, CEO of Alcion Packaging Solutions, made it very clear in his presentation that innovation and sustainability in APS are central to sustaining an efficient and possible circular economy project.
At Alcion Packaging Solution, we work hard to ensure sustainable and innovative packaging that is safely adapted to the products it contains. Safety is the basis on which all new developments revolve, and we do so by complying with new regulations, certifications and closely following national and international legislation.
The transformation of plastic, thanks to technology and processes that are more respectful of the environment, has continued to evolve, allowing the simplification of packaging and offering new alternatives.
This was explained to us by Steve Steenhoudt, Sales Engineer at Delta Engineering, emphasizing that plasma fluorination today makes it possible to provide barrier properties to a single-material plastic container (HDPE). In this way, the packaging can be used to pack chemicals in a safe and controlled way.
The barrier generated in plastic packaging by this technology gives greater resistance to the packaging when it is in contact with hazardous or corrosive products, adapting to changes in temperature and environmental pressure and preventing the permeation of water vapor and oxygen. In addition, it makes the packaging remain 100% recyclable to protect the environment.
Barrier containers, made either by coextrusion, with several layers of different plastic materials, or by plasma fluorination, provide the necessary resistance for the packaging of aggressive products that could otherwise deteriorate and deform the packaging.
The big advantages are the ability to preserve and transport chemicals in the safest way. They ensure excellent protection that would be unfeasible with other containers that do not have such barrier layer.
During his presentation, Harald Kröger, Independent Consultant at CKS Plastics Consulting, explained that the use of plastic materials is mainly linked to chemical products of all kinds as they need a robust, lightweight packaging, with an optimal market price, recyclable and resistant.
The benefits of using plastic materials in this field are manifold:
José Guaita, President of Heura Gestión Ambiental, gave the keys of the Project “Envase x Envase”. A project for the recovery and recycling of rigid plastic packaging used in the professional agricultural sector that seeks to minimise waste.
The objective of the project is to achieve the first management system that shows that the collected packaging is recycled, so that the material obtained from these collected bottles and jerrycans is used again to make new containers that are intended to pack again fertilizer products, agronutrients, etc.
It is a project to recover rigid plastic containers so that they can have a second life thanks to their efficient recycling, returning to the system of use to form a sustainability chain.
The APS Circular Economy Project is based on the requirements of current standards and regulations that guarantee efficient products and environmental care. In addition to continuing to update our UN certifications as we incorporate new technologies and/or processes into our production system.
Our goal is Sustainability based on Innovation, without, of course, leaving aside our competitiveness, as Roberto Bello, Commercial and Marketing Director at Alcion Packaging Solutions, explained. To this end, we work on the incorporation of recycled, post-industrial and post-consumer materials into our packaging manufactured with the different technologies that we have in our plant, attentive to the results and always taking care that the behavior is optimal to be able to contain the chemical products manufactured by our customers.
Through the gradual modernization of our production plant, we apply increasingly sustainable processes, using plastic materials whose results we test until we achieve the expected optimum, as it is important to bear in mind that each context and each type of packaging may require specific approaches.
All the attendants to our III Open Days could see these contributions at our facilities, where our engineers answered all the questions and doubts raised by our customers in a day that served to strengthen ties and show our degree of commitment to the sector and the environment.
Thank you to all those who attended our Open Days and to those who didn't, we look forward to seeing you in a new edition.
We take care of your products while we work taking care of the environment. Contact us!
