Mono-material barrier tubes designed for recyclability

Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of high-quality packaging for a broad array of industries and applications, has announced its latest sustainability initiative: developing mono-material barrier tubes that provide exemplary protection for cosmetics, food and pharma products while being compatible with existing recycling processes.

Multi-layer aluminum-barrier packaging is particularly problematic for recyclers as, among other challenges, it is incompatible with mechanical sorting techniques.
Slated for market launch later this year, the new portfolio of tubes, called Polyfoil® MMB (mono-material barrier) – will be almost entirely polyethylene (PE) based, containing less that 5% of foreign materials (inks, adhesives, etc.) to avoid disruptions in existing recycling processes. Neopac is aiming to spearhead the application of new, innovative barrier technologies, including highly oriented PE barrier films (MDO), thin film ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layers, barrier lacquers and ceramic barrier films.
In addition to premium product protection, the Polyfoil® MMB tubes will offer broad options for appealing aesthetics. Notably, the tubes will incorporate metallized tube body options owing to an ultra-thin “sandwich layer” that, in terms of recyclability, is widely accepted. White and transparent versions also will be available. Due to the reduced overall wall thickness, the lightweight tubes will offer as much as 40% tube body weight reduction compared to standard Polyfoil® tubes with aluminum barriers – while keeping very similar haptics.
Neopac also is currently conducting tests to convert caps from PP to PE, which is another goal being explored for the near future. “The push for enhanced recyclability is undeniable, with nearly 9 in 10 Europeans worried about the impact of plastics on the environment while only 5% of plastic materials are currently being reused,” said Martina Christiansen, Director Sales Tubes Neopac. “Technology must play a role in meeting higher recycling standards, and mono-material barrier tubes will represent a sizable step forward in packaging science.”

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