Breakthrough Dow Technology Enables Recyclable Flexible Plastic Packaging
15 June 2016 - 10:00PM
Business Wire
First-of-its-Kind RecycleReady™ Technology
Helps Create Recyclable Flexible Stand-Up Pouches Consumers Demand;
Can Incorporate Barrier Film Technology
The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) is introducing a new member
of the recently launched RecycleReady™ Technology, which enables
the recyclability of polyethylene-based barrier packaging as part
of existing grocery store drop-off recycling programs.
Created through collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging
Coalition (SPC) and other industry members, Dow’s RecycleReady™
Technology helps converters create barrier pouches that answer
consumer demand for more recyclable packaging options. The new
advanced barrier RecycleReady Technology is a major advancement
that enables the recycling of packaging for products like granola
and nuts, which was not possible before in flexible packaging.
“Working together with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and
our value chain collaborators was crucial to achieving our
breakthrough RecycleReady Technology, which incorporates RETAIN™
polymer modifiers, a key enabler for the recyclability of the
packages,” said Stacy Fields, North America director, Packaging
Solutions for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.
The stand-up pouch made with RETAIN™ polymer modifiers is the
first package of its kind with barrier film that can be recycled in
a polyethylene recycling stream. When combined with other
polyethylene resins, the RETAIN™ compatibilizer offers a recyclable
solution with enhanced barrier characteristics.
Before this innovation, flexible barrier packaging posed unique
recycling challenges due to the variety of materials generally used
as part of its makeup.
With the introduction of RecycleReady™ Technology, converters
will now have the ability to produce recyclable packaging with
ingredients that ensure barrier protection, along with stiffness,
toughness and sealability of the package. These recyclable flexible
pouches incorporate multiple layers, but use only polyethylene as
the basic raw material.
RecycleReady™ Technology in North America has been approved by
the SPC’s How2Recycle program to use the Store Drop-Off label.
Plastic film, wrap, and bags carrying the Store Drop-Off label can
be recycled at participating local retail and grocery stores.
"This technology is a breakthrough in packaging design for
recyclability. It possesses the properties of a multi-layer pouch,
but behaves like a pure polyethylene bag in the recycling stream.
We are very excited," said Kelly Cramer, Sustainable Packaging
Coalition project manager.
The technology aims to divert packaging waste from landfill or
incineration, increase post-consumer recycling yields and aid the
creation of a circular economy for plastics packaging.
“RecycleReady Technology is a great example of how we can bring
breakthrough chemistry and process technology together to meet the
needs of converters, brand owners, retailers and consumers,” said
Fields. “We’ll advance RecycleReady Technology capabilities through
continued collaboration.”
In 2015, collaboration between Dow, the SPC and packaging
converter Accredo Packaging produced the Seventh Generation brand’s
first recyclable Dishwasher Pods packaging. The innovation was
developed in response to customer comments that the product’s
previous packaging was not recyclable.
“We are thrilled to be able offer this breakthrough barrier
technology to our customers,” said Fields. “This has never been
done before, and it will provide new options for brand owners and
retailers to offer recyclable packaging for many products that
consumers enjoy.”
Dow has a long track record of innovative technologies that help
customers develop more sustainable, higher performing packaging
that consistently exceeds expectations. As a founding member of the
SPC, Dow is committed to sustainable innovation to meet consumer
demand for more recyclable options. For more information, visit
www.dowpackaging.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to
passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The
Company is driving innovations that extract value from material,
polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of
the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean
water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing
agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven,
industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced
materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad
range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in
approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as
packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2015,
Dow had annual sales of nearly $49 billion and employed
approximately 49,500 people worldwide. The Company's more than
6,000 product families are manufactured at 179 sites in 35
countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company"
mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be
found at www.dow.com.
®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an
affiliated company of Dow
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The Dow Chemical CompanyCorey Newsom+1 713 705
2388CNewsom@dow.comorSarah Blodgett+1 989 636
9323SSBlodgett@dow.com
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