How is the relationship between plastics and the environment?

We will herewith approach the major challenges the plastic industries face and what are the sustainable alternatives to reduce the environmental impact, while maintaining, at the same time, the productivity of the sector.

We will talk about...

  1. Challenges in the plastics industry vs environment
  2. Environmental impact of plastic
  3. Sustainable plastic packaging? Yes, it is possible
  4. Barrier packaging: Our commitment to plasma coating

Challenges in the plastics industry vs environment

The changes generated globally over the last decades are more than obvious. We have not only experienced them in the technological and digital field, but also in terms of social and environmental awareness.

Companies are increasingly under pressure to assess the environmental impact of their business actions and strategies; and at this point, plastic packaging has become the focus of a problem that claims for actions to be taken.

The plastics industry is going through a series of adversities and new challenges that force it to generate an answer by means of strategies to give viability to each business.

What are these challenges in the plastics industry today?

  1. Abrupt fluctuations in the costs of plastic resins as a result of shortages, technical stops of suppliers, the high price of transport and the increase of energy costs.
  2. Problems in the logistics chain that cause supply shortages and delays in the supply of raw materials.
  3. The continuous increase in inflation at the global level, causes increases in prices and reduces the purchasing power of consumers, affecting sales in all sectors, especially consumer products.
  4. The restrictions and new regulations on plastics, whose government and tax laws such as in Spain the “Law of waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy", directly affect the entire production chain.
  5. The bad reputation of plastic and the continuous attack and its demonized link with the environment tends to generate misinformation and rejection by society.
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Environmental impact of plastic

While it is true that plastic materials and the environment maintain a complex relationship, as society acquires a "sustainable" awareness and seeks to protect the environment, it has become clear that there is a profound ignorance of their enormous advantages.

Plastic containers are lightweight and highly efficient, and they adapt to any type of product. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most required and used materials in the packaging industry, but its impact on the environment is visible, while other materials with a larger carbon footprint cause an impact that may not be so evident to the eyes of the consumer. Considering the reduction of the use of plastics is important but we must also take into account the carbon footprint of the alternatives that may be proposed for their replacement.

It is important to open the debate on the environmental impact of plastic and assess how beneficial its total eradication might be. Many experts agree that this could become even more harmful because, probably, the pollution that would be generated could become even greater.

Keep learning: Ecodesign in plastic packaging: Key aspects towards circularity

To value the sustainability of production and the consumption of resources in an objective and scientific manner is essential. Numerous analyses of the life cycle of products have concluded that many materials used as alternatives to plastic in terms of packaging (paper, glass, metal...), have a significantly higher water use or CO2 impact compared to the use of plastic packaging.

If the plastic in packaging were to be replaced as far as possible by another material, let’s say, for instance, paper, more material would be required to pack the same amount of products and the energy expenditure of their production and recycling would be doubled.

The problem we face goes beyond the material we use, whether it is plastic or paper, glass or metal. The problem lies in our performance and attitude, the use we make of those materials, and how comfortable our society has become: our weekly shop is done from home, and if we move to the supermarket, we pretend that everything is packaged to finish quickly. We hardly cook, we order it "home delivery" or “take away” or buy precooked directly. All these consumption habits (just a small example) lead to overpackaging and excess of resources used.

However, the plastics processing industry is obliged to reinvent itself, and it is doing so, but it is also imperative to raise awareness about the best use that should be given to plastics: to raise awareness in society and adopt more sustainable solutions.

Sustainable plastic packaging? Yes, it is possible

Facing so many challenges and debates around plastics and the environment, it is time to analyze new alternatives, given that consumers, companies and governments have demanded it.

The plastics processing industry has moved forward and has managed, to a large extent, to reinvent itself. Technological innovations to provide highest quality, safety and, at the same time, sustainability to packaging and materials.

The industry has managed to face the challenge posed by society and using creativity and large investments has brought together most of their demands. Materials obtained from organic compounds that can be degraded and recycled, new technologies through which products with better recyclability are achieved, different proposals for recycling plastic products and projects for new collection and selection systems for packaging and plastic products...

Getting sustainable plastic packaging is a reality and is already possible, so the industry is already incorporating it into its products to give way to the demand of a society aware of the circular economy and recycling.

Keep reading: Mechanical recycling: What is it and how does it enhance the circularity of packaging?

100% sustainable options, which maintain their performance, efficiency and versatility are already being implemented in various sectors: packaging, agriculture, textile industry, medicine, among others.

Barrier packaging: Our commitment to plasma coating

At APS we are convinced that companies can act ethically, following current legislation, achieving their own economic development and improving the quality of life in our planet.

That is why we stand out in their support,manufacture with sustainable materials trying to cause the least environmental impact. Based on the latest technological innovations, keeping our essence and our specialty in providing barrier properties to plastic containers made to contain products from industrial sectors.

Thanks to the barrier in a plastic container, chemical products containing certain active formulas, that may generate gases inside the container, can be packed with guarantee.

At APS we became leaders in the manufacture of these barrier containers using multilayer coextrusion, but now, we move forward to be sustainable and our IDI project has led us to incorporate a new technology to our facilities in Valencia, plasma coating. We get a barrier layer in a HDPE monolayer container which is also approved according to ADR (Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road). Therefore, we manage to achieve the manufacture of containers highly resistant to factors likely to modify or alter the composition of the product contained inside.

Plasma coating is the use of plasma to accelerate the process of coating the surface of the package by providing barrier properties to packaging that remains 100% recyclable by converting a monolayer HDPE container into a barrier container.

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we manufacture barrier packaging that provides the technical solution necessary to achieve a goal: to offer high quality packaging that guarantees the transport of goods, even those that are dangerous.

In this way, we continue to bet on the care of the environment, choosing plasma coating to solve the problems posed by direct fluoridation and work on the promotion of the circular and sustainable economy.

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we are faithful to our commitment to quality, safety and environmental sustainability.

Get to know us!

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We will see...

  1. The growing need for recycling plastic packaging
  2. Recycling: A key step in pollution reduction
  3. Commitment to sustainable packaging

The growing need for recycling plastic packaging

Images of seas, lakes, and rivers polluted with plastic bottles, containers, and jerrycans discarded in fields have become increasingly common in news reports and social media. Climate change and the environmental impact of human activity are pressing concerns, making plastic waste management a critical issue that can no longer be ignored. Recycling plastic packaging is now recognized as a fundamental step toward achieving sustainable packaging solutions. More and more companies are becoming aware of their responsibility in contributing to the circular economy by prioritizing plastic recycling initiatives.

Keep reading: Challenges in Plastic packaging and the environment

Recycling plastic packaging is no longer just a means to somehow reduce production costs, as it once seemed to be. Instead, it has evolved into a way for companies to align with consumer expectations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Consumers are now able to distinguish between companies that prioritize sustainability and those that lag behind. However, many businesses still struggle with implementing efficient plastic recycling strategies.

The importance of plastic packaging recycling

Initially, many companies adopted plastic recycling primarily to cut costs. However, today, it is a necessary measure, especially for large enterprises that use significant volumes of plastic packaging. Recycling helps mitigate the environmental impact of human activity by reducing plastic waste accumulation and promoting responsible resource use.

Plastic waste, particularly discarded containers in oceans and rivers, takes hundreds of years to degrade, causing severe ecological damage. Recycling plastic packaging presents one of the most viable solutions to this crisis.

By reducing single-use plastics and repurposing recovered materials into new products, we can significantly decrease the amount of plastic waste polluting the environment. Additionally, recycling minimizes the need for virgin raw materials in plastic manufacturing, contributing to resource conservation and reducing overall environmental impact.

Keep learning: Mechanical recycling: What is it and how does it enhance the circularity of packaging?

It is becoming increasingly evident that plastic recycling is essential. Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, and businesses across industries must continue striving to make their packaging fully recyclable. This is not just a passing trend, it is a necessary shift toward sustainability that manufacturers, society, and policymakers must prioritize.

Recycling: A key step in pollution reduction

Recycling plastic containers, whether bottles, jerrycans, or pots, is crucial in reducing pollution and preventing the accumulation of plastic waste in natural ecosystems.

By recycling plastic packaging, we avoid its disposal in landfills and the need for incineration, both of which have severe environmental consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem contamination.

Plastic recycling helps shift the balance in favor of the environment by reducing raw material consumption, minimizing waste generation, and converting discarded materials into valuable resources. This process not only lowers production costs but also enhances a company’s reputation by showcasing its environmental commitment.

Commitment to sustainable packaging

Recycling plastic packaging allows businesses to demonstrate their dedication to environmental protection and align with consumer expectations for responsible practices.At Alcion Packaging Solutions, we are fully aware of the critical importance of recycling plastic packaging.

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We offer 100% recyclable packaging solutions, fully certified and adaptable to various products. Our production processes prioritize environmental responsibility, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance sustainability throughout our operations. This commitment is a core aspect of APS’s Mission and Corporate Vision. Contact us for more information!

According to the European Union's Agenda 2030, all plastic packaging must be recyclable or reusable by that date. Mechanical recycling arises as a core industrial process to meet these new requirements and regulations that are having a strong impact on the development of the plastic sector.

This process comprises several sequential operations -collection, sorting, washing, shredding, melting and reprocessing of plastic waste, aiming to get a secondary raw plastic material ready to be used again.Therefore, this plastic waste process of mechanical recycling offers a technically mature , economically viable and environmentally efficient route to retaining material value.

In this article, you will learn what mechanical recycling is, how the process of recycling works, why it matters for the recycling of plastic products, and how it compares with chemical recycling.

  1. Mechanical recycling: Definition
  2. Advantages of mechanical recycling
  3. How does the process of recycling work in mechanical recycling?
  4. Mechanical recycling vs. Chemical recycling: What are their differences?
  5. How does mechanical recycling improve circular economy?

Mechanical recycling: Definition

Mechanical recycling is a method of reprocessingplastic waste into reusable raw material without significantly changing the polymer structure. In simple terms, plastic is collected,sorted, cleaned, shredded, melted, and reprocessed so it can be used again in new applications.

This approach plays a central role in waste plastic recycling because it helps recover value from used plastics and reintroduce them into production cycles

The result is a secondary raw material that can be used in the manufacture of new plastic products such as packaging, bags, construction materials, automotive components, and other everyday items.

As companies face growing pressure to improve sustainability and design packaging for circularity, mechanical plastic recycling has become a key strategy for turning waste into resources.

Keep learning: Advantages of recycling plastic packaging

Advantages of mechanical recycling

Mechanical recycling of plastic products offers great advantages for the environment, avoiding the accumulation of waste, which is one of the biggest pollution problems worldwide.

In addition, this practice also brings advantages for communities and great benefits to companies that opt for recycled or recyclable products.

Let's look at themost important advantages that mechanical recycling of plastic materials provides to society, the planet and businesses.

1. Reduction of plastic waste

One of the biggest advantages of waste plastic recycling is that it prevents used plastics from becoming long-term waste. Instead of ending their life after a single use, materials can return to the value chain and be converted into new products.

2. Conservation of natural resources

By replacing part of the demand for virgin raw materials, mechanical plastic recycling helps protect fossil-based resources and supports a more efficient use of materials.

3. Energy efficiency 

In many cases, producing recycled plastic can require fewer resources than manufacturing virgin plastic from scratch. This makes the process of recycling especially relevant for companies aiming to reduce both environmental impact and production costs.

4. Economic contribution

The method of recycling used in mechanical recycling involves collection, sorting, washing, reprocessing, and manufacturing. These activities support jobs, industrial development, and investment across the recycling value chain.

5. Strengthening Circularity

Perhaps the biggest benefit is that mechanical recycling makes circularity tangible. It turns used packaging into a resource, supports reuse of materials, and helps businesses move from a linear model to a circular one.

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How does the process of recycling work in mechanical recycling?

The process of recycling plastic through mechanical methods involves several stages. Each step is important to ensure the final recycled material is clean, consistent, and suitable for new applications

1. Sorting

The first step in mechanical recycling is sorting plastic by resin type, color, format, and sometimes by application. Materials such as HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, and PP are typically separated to improve recycling quality.

This stage is critical because the better the sorting, the better the performance of the recycled material.

2. Shredding

Once sorted, the plastic is reduced into smaller pieces. Shredding makes the material easier to handle and prepares it for the cleaning and reprocessing stages.

3. Washing

The shredded plastic is washed to remove impurities and contaminants.. Effective washing is essential in the recycling of plastic products, especially when the waste stream comes from post-consumer applications.

4. Drying

After washing, the material is dried until it reaches the controlled moisture level of 3-5% required for subsequent processing. This controlled drying helps maintain quality and improves efficiency during extrusion.

5. Extrusion

In the final stage, the clean and dry plastic flakes are melted and processed through an extruder. The molten plastic is then shaped into strands, cooled, and cut into pellets.

These pellets become the recycled raw material used in the production of new plastic goods. This is the stage where waste plastic recycling is converted into real industrial value.

Keep learning: Circular Packaging: the commitment to circular solutions in packaging

Mechanical recycling vs. Chemical recycling: What are their differences?

Both mechanical recycling and chemical recycling aim to recover value from plastic waste, but they do so in different ways.

The main difference lies in how the material is treated:

When is mechanical recycling the preferred option?

Mechanical recycling is often the preferred route when plastic waste is relatively clean, sorted, and technically suitable for reprocessing. It is a mature and widely used solution for many packaging streams.

When does chemical recycling become relevant?

Chemical recycling may be useful for more complex, mixed, or difficult-to-recycle plastic waste streams where mechanical routes are limited.

Rather than competing, both approaches can be complementary. A more circular plastics system will likely need both mechanical recycling and chemical recycling to improve recovery rates and reduce the amount of plastic that ends up as waste.

How does mechanical recycling improve the circular economy?

We could say that mechanical recycling is synonymous with circular economy.

If we consider its benefits for the environment, we will understand that it is a process that, by recycling waste and creating new materials that can be reused, drives a key benefit: business and environmental sustainability.

It also saves energy consumption and reduces emissions generated by refining and manufacturing processes.

Reduce, Recycle and Reuse are 3 essential pillars of the circular economy. And mechanical recycling is a widespread option that promotes these practices.

At APS we actively contribute to the development of circular solutions by participating in strategic initiatives such as the TRACEPACK  PROJECT.

The project seeks to achieve the declassification of hazardous waste and its total integration into new packaging to promote the circular economy in the agrochemical sector. Get to know it!

By adopting mechanical recycling, companies can turn packaging waste into new opportunities and take a decisive step toward a more sustainable, resource-efficient future.

Find out our packaging solutions and be part of the circular economy!

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Despite all publications against it, plastic packaging remains essential and part of our everyday lives. Wherever you look, you can find it in everything we consume and use. One of the great concerns today is related to packaging and the huge amount that ends up in nature, polluting ecosystems and detaching all kinds of toxic elements that pose a risk to our health. In this sense, recyclability of plastic packaging has emerged as an alternative, to solve part of the environmental problem that human being is generating. How to get recyclable plastic packaging is the challenge that a large part of the industry is facing nowadays.

To know how to recycle plastic bottles or other plastic packaging correctly and to achieve greater use of resources, it is key to know the types of recyclable plastic packaging that exist.

There are several types of containers, composed of different materials that are recycled to a greater or lesser extent and that are more or less easy to separate from the other components in the recycling process. Each of the types of recyclable plastic  packaging can be adapted to specific products or sectors.  Many of these sectors, such as industrial, chemical, cosmetic,  dermocosmetic  or agrochemical, are already aware of the need to demand these recyclable plastic packaging to further control their negative effect on nature and meet the expectations that more and more consumers have and that the legislation is imposing.

What are we going to read?

  1. Situation in Spain
  2. What types of recyclable plastic packaging are there?

Situation in Spain

Even though the use of plastic packaging is a globalice practice, according to the February 2024 report by the BBVA Foundation and IVIE, "Spanich recycling rates are still very low, as only 48% of total waste is recovered, compared to the EU-27 average of 58%. This results in a very modest circular material use rate that has even worsened over time , filing 3,3 percentage points from 10.4% in 2010 to 7.1% in 2022.

This means that even by putting all the means to produce recyclable plastic packaging that can be recovered and reused, the way end consumers act and the continuous wrong recycling they carry out means that the effects of plastic packaging can continue to cause negative effects on the environment.

It is not only worth separating what we consume in different containers, you need to know the types of recyclable plastic containers out there to recycle them properly. Many of these containers are mixed with other waste, making it very difficult and even impossible to recover. Others, however, are deposited in erroneous containers, and many plastics that are not considered packaging are left down together with recyclable plastic containers, creating a mixture of materials that make it impossible to get them recycled.

 The consequence of this chain of erroneous actions is that these mixed materials end up in landfills, incinerated or what is worst polluting or enviroment impossible to be recovered and any of these three options remains as harmful to both, health and the environment, as not recycling.

That is why many companies and sectors no longer only demand recyclable plastic packaging for their products, but also greater awareness and training of the population to make correct use of these packaging. Taking certain measures, such as reusing, recycling  properly or producing biodegradable packaging, are some of the solutions that could give way, at least in part, to the problem that Spain has with the recovery of these wastes.

You can read more on the following article:  Sustainable ECO packaging, all you need to know about

What types of recyclable plastic packaging are there?

Plastic packaginf is made with different materials and different technologies. Recyclable plastic containers are those that to a greater or lesser extent can be recovered and enter into the recycling streams already established, or streams that can be newly established in such a way that end up being used to produce new packaging.  Among the materials that can enter mechanical recycling streams we can find the following types:

Plastic materials

Recyclable  plastic containers can be used to create new packaging of chemicals, agrochemicals, detergents and the like if they have been recycled multiple times, while to pack food products, the material obtained must be certified as "food safe" Plastic containers with the letter O or number 7, on the other hand, are difficult to recycle as the materials that make up it are rarely known. It is essential to separate in order to facilitate recycling in management plants enabled for this purpose. But keep in mind that "separating, it's not recycling." It's just the first step of the gear on a circuit where WE ALL participate.

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we work for greater  sustainability, and constantly look for new formulas to produce recyclable plastic packaging with the best features to house all kinds of products. With materials such as PET or HDPE, we manufacture 100% recyclable packaging so you can protect your product safely and responsibly with the environment.

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We are facing new trends and paradigms of environmental protection in which sustainable plastic storage of chemicals plays an important role.

Discover the impact they have on the world of packaging and see the packaging solutions that we can offer you at Alcion Packaging Solutions.

We will talk about…

  1. Plastic storage of chemicals: Their importance and use
  2. Sustainability in the development of plastic packaging for chemicals
  3. Safety of plastic storage of chemical products: Key to your success
  4. Alcion Packaging Solutions: Innovation in sustainable plastic packaging

 

Plastic storage of chemicals: Their importance and use

Plastic packaging for chemical products plays a decisive role when protecting these types of products, which are more than often classified as "hazardous". Chemicals such as pesticides, agrochemicals, lubricants, solvents, corrosive products, and others, need special packaging to be stored, transported, and handled safely.

Safety of the product inside is strictly complied with as long as packaging design and manufacturing strategies take into account the own characteristics and possible reactions of the products to be packaged, their needs and the requirements of current regulations.

Today, plastic has become one of the most widely used raw materials, by far, to successfully preserve this type of chemicals, due to its versatility, resistance, density and rigidity, in short, to fulfill the bunker function (containing, protecting, conserving and transporting) that we have talked about on several occasions.

 

Characteristics of storage containers for chemicals

Plastic packaging for chemical products has certain characteristics that make it a safe alternative for transporting dangerous products.

We must not forget that handling certain chemical substances can become a risky activity that we must prevent. Today, many types of plastic serve as a safeguard against possible leaks or escapes of the chemical contained.

 

 

You might be interested in: Types of packaging and its characteristics. How to know which is most appropriate for a product?

 

 

In general, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is mainly used for such purposes, since its properties and molecular density are able to withstand high temperatures and keep corrosive products. But barrier packaging can also be chosen as it protects the product inside the packaging. The main characteristic of these plastic containers is their resistance, combined with the lightness that facilitates their transformation to adapt to any element.

But, in addition, resistance is key in this type of packaging and this is ensured by national and international certifications that we must comply with when manufacturing our packaging.

 

Sustainability in the development of plastic packaging for chemicals

Over the years, the way plastic packaging is designed, manufactured and used for chemicals and countless other items that need plastic packaging to be transported properly has been transformed. Besides the way in which we try to make this packaging recyclable has also evolved along the latest years.

A few years ago, the European Union laid the groundwork for a new plastics economy,  which aims to ensure that all plastics packaging can be recycled or reused by 2030.

Thanks to new sustainable manufacturing practices and the use of appropriate technology, packaging companies can count on plastic packaging that is more environmentally friendly.

Today it is possible to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics, even in the case of chemical products, thanks to the work of multidisciplinary teams that have been gradually implementing new processes in the way such containers are conceived and produced.

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we push development to offer a wide range of solutions that cover any plastic packaging need, even in the most demanding sectors of the market: agrochemical, industrial and cosmetic.

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We  provide our sustainable proposal to  give the ideal solution to each company with a packaging adapted to each need, with all the guarantees of an approved product and our productive response capacity with tight production deadlines.

At APS, sustainability cuts vertically through all design and manufacturing processes because we are convinced that the world needs less plastic and more environmentally beneficial alternatives.

 

Importance of the circular economy

The circular economy seeks to transform the way goods and services are produced and consumed, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach.

In this way, it seeks to reduce pressure on ecosystems and mitigate the negative impacts associated with the extraction of natural resources and the generation of waste.

But, in addition to this great relevance in terms of environmental care and ethical awareness about reducing the negative impact of economic and commercial practices and processes, the circular economy has other advantages.

It is capable of generating economic opportunities and promoting innovation in  the design of products and processes, optimizing and producing substantial savings in economic and time terms.

 

 

You might be interested in: DEVELOPMENT OF R&D&I AS A VALUE BET IN APS

 

 

Safety of plastic storage of chemical products: Key to your success

Many companies have decided to embrace sustainability in their plastic packaging to pack chemical products, although it is true that it is hardly known in depth what is behind such an insignificant item like plastic packaging and certain keys to successful decision-making are sometimes overlooked. Even though being involved in sustainability when talking about packaging is a possible and a necessary change, we have seen many doubts on how to approach it.

To apply the bases of the circular economy to the manufacture of plastic packaging requires a holistic approach that covers from design to the end of its life cycle.

If we take into account the fundamental principles of the circular economy, some concrete strategies could be considered:

 

Alcion Packaging Solutions: Innovation in sustainable plastic packaging

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we work Innovation according to UNE166002 standard to seek and achieve the sustainability of our plastic packaging for chemical products.

Without deviating from our objective of competitiveness, we are constantly promoting the modernization of our production plant, which has been constantly evolving since its creation  in 1945, implementing sustainable processes and using materials adapted to each context and type of packaging.

Through a vision committed to the planet, making use of disruptive technologies, we apply the basic principles of the circular economy and are working in favor of strategies to produce plastic packaging for a sector that must ensure its transport in optimal conditions.

We invite you to learn about the sustainable plastic packaging alternatives  for chemical products that we design and produce.

Visit our website!

How is innovation applied in the creation of sustainable plastic packaging?  What benefits do packaging innovations entail and how are they achieved? Discover all the answers in this article!

We will talk about…

  1. Sustainable innovations in plastic packaging: What does it mean?
  2. Key aspects to achieve sustainable plastic packaging to pack hazardous chemicals
  3. Alcion Packaging Solutions: your ally to achieve sustainable innovations in industrial plastic packaging

 

Sustainable innovations in plastic packaging: What does it mean?

Innovating in the industry means turning a problem or a challenge into an idea and that idea into an opportunity. Plastic packaging manufacturing involves analysis of the complexity of packaging needs from different angles. It also requires a teamwork system that fosters relationships and the exchange of concepts and points of view.

If we also seek to go further and direct our target to the sustainability of this packaging, we can really provide alternatives and creative packaging solutions that really facilitate the circular economy

The success in the use of plastic materials is given by its undisputed versatility, capable of adapting to all types of products and sectors, either commercial or industrial. Thanks to properties such as lightness, flexibility, impermeability and resistance, plastic materials constitute one of the most versatile and most used materials for the manufacture of packaging in the world.

Plastic packaging maintains its position and is projected as the packaging of  the present but also of the future since the plastic industry has been working for years on the implementation of technological innovations that promote its sustainability and its incorporation into the circular economy.

We are talking about sustainable packaging innovation. A concept which is anchored in the conception itself, in a way of designing and manufacturing packaging that follows a more sensitive side of sustainability because it seeks to reduce the environmental impact throughout the whole process.

 

You may be interested in: Challenges in Plastic packaging and the environment

 

Working under parameters of sustainable innovation to develop rigid plastic packaging, allows us to design and create smarter and safer packaging solutions for the industry, and therefore for society and the environment.

In addition, packaging designed through innovation brings a circularity degree to rigid plastic packaging for industry to pack hazardous chemicals that mostly require UN approval.

In addition to maintaining the levels of protection and safety of the packaged product, the plastics processing industry has managed to create designs that minimize its impact on the environment.

 

Benefits of sustainability in plastic packaging

Applying innovation to develop sustainable packaging offers various benefits to the environment and society but also for those companies that opt for a type of packaging that respects the environment, improving the image of their product and competitiveness.

At the environmental level, one of the essential advantages is the reduction of dependence on fossil resources and a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions.

In addition, these innovative solutions can be recycled mechanically, allowing the conversion of waste into new products, avoiding the generation of polluting waste.

At the social level, the technology applied in the design and manufacture, produces safe containers to keep products, protect them adequately and ensure their phytosanitary conditions.

 

 

As for companies that choose to incorporate packaging innovation into their products, they get a core benefit: engaging their target audience through sincere commitment to the environment

In a context where social awareness, in terms of environmental care, is increasing, brands must prioritize these trends and include them among their strategic objectives in order to reach consumers.

This enhances the relationship between customer and company, generating an  extremely positive interaction and purchase experience.

 

Key aspects to achieve sustainable plastic packaging for packaging hazardous chemicals

For innovation in packaging to be truly sustainable, the companies that opt for them work by taking into consideration some key points. Let’s say…

 

Eco Design

Design is key to sustainable innovation and this implies studying the composition of the product improving the mechanical and behavioral characteristics of the packaging to deeply optimize the packaging, reducing its environmental impact.

But in addition, working on design must be constituted as a philosophy pursuing factors that improve the life cycle and promote the recyclability of the packaging to be created to reduce the amount of material used in manufacturing.

 

Recyclable and reusable materials

Reduce the amount of material used to manufacture a container. This point is a priority when we talk about sustainable innovation in plastic packaging, but in addition, the raw material used must be recyclable to reduce environmental pollution.

When talking about recycling, we all think first of all of mechanical recycling, but we must not forget that the industry is also working on the possibility of chemical recycling that is capable of providing materials of much better purity and behavior to the industry.

 

Process optimization

The optimization of the plastic transformation process involves using improved equipment in terms of energy efficiency, use of water resources, increasing the performance of each production unit, in short, doing more with less.

 

Keys to sustainable innovations in plastic packaging

 

Alcion Packaging Solutions: your ally to achieve sustainable innovations in industrial plastic packaging

At Alcion Packaging Solutions we are part of sustainable innovation because we manufacture smart packaging solutions that respect the environment.

This June we have obtained the adaptation of our R + D + i Management System Certificate to the new version of the UNE 166002:2021 standard. Our R + D + i Committee works in accordance with the UNE 166002 so that our products can be innovative and sustainable, being able to be recycled and being part of manufacturing processes that respect the environment. Work, in short, to reduce and even eliminate the amount of plastic that ends up in the landfill.

 

You may be interested in: Circular Packaging: the commitment to circular solutions in packaging

 

The projects we have developed in recent years talk about it: the implementation of a design system that  studies and analyzes each container to achieve optimal behavior avoiding using excess of  material, focusing on the use of materials that are 100% recyclable, implementing technologies that provide increasingly sustainable packaging, working with efficient production units in terms of consumption and manufacturing, integrating ourselves into work teams that develop projects for the reuse of recovered materials...

 

Discover our solutions and join the innovation in totally sustainable plastic packaging. Get into the circle!  Contact us!

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