Dynapack Asia Innovation Workshop held on 15 March 2023
The current concern over plastic packaging stems from its lifecycle, which has become a significant issue in recent times. Numerous campaigns highlighting the detrimental impact of plastic on marine life have made it an unfavorable material for environmental health. What makes this widespread and durable material more dangerous than alternative materials? The answer is the lifecycle.
On March 15, 2023, Dynapack Asia hosted an Innovation Workshop with its partners and stakeholders centered around the theme of "Sustainable Packaging Lifecycle." The event was particularly interesting as each partner presented their own unique innovations based on their product characteristics. This made the Workshop even more meaningful as all the elements combined create an extended plastic lifecycle. This plastic could be used as an alternative to traditional plastic packaging production by adopting circular economy principles.
Dynapack Asia has implemented product design modifications to minimize plastic waste in landfills and increase recyclability. Our focus on innovation has been aimed at overcoming the challenges of
- functional performance,
- visual appeal, and
- additional features,
One of our key initiatives involves modifying the masterbatch (colorant) and removing glue for sticker labels to improve recyclability. An example of how we can promote sustainable packaging practices is by recommending the use of metallic or pearl effect coloring. This can help to streamline the recycling process for the packaging after it has been used.. As part of Dynapack Asia’s continuous commitment to answer the call of circularity, plastic waste is sent to Amandina Bumi Nusantara, a Joint-Venture project with Coca-cola Europacific Partner (CCEP) to be recycled into new PET-bottles.
Sample of Metallic Effect on Rigid Plastic Packaging (without coating)
Apart from Dynapack Asia, we have our partners who spoke at the Workshop, such as Biesterfield, the team from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Master Label, Celanese, and Avient, shared about the innovation they have made to contribute to extending the plastic packaging lifecycle.
Biesterfield has a comprehensive sustainability strategy that focuses on improving the lifecycle of bioplastics through the use of Fibrolone, Terralene, and Bio Flex.
Professor Han Sen Soo initiated the SPRUCE (Sustainable Plastics RepUrposing for a Circular Economy) project at Nanyang Technological University, which aims to implement large-scale "upcycling" of plastic waste using renewable energy to convert it into chemical feedstocks for creating useful chemicals. Through plastic upcycling, the project could offer an alternative source of inputs for the chemical manufacturing industry, which accounts for approximately a quarter of Singapore's GDP.
An illustration on how SPRUCE will create a new circular economy value chain in Singapore. Image credit: Soo Han Sen.s
Source: https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/science/2022/05/13/spruce-sustainable-plastics-repurposing-for-a-circular-economy/
Master Label has developed a label that can be easily removed by soaking the product in water for a specific period of time. This simplifies the cleaning process when recycling plastic waste.
We also have Celanese with the use of Santoprene TPV. Compared to rubber, Santoprene TPV is considered to be more sustainable in certain aspects.t can be melted and re-molded, unlike rubber which is a thermosetting material that cannot be melted and reformed. This allows for easier and more efficient recycling of Santoprene TPV scrap and waste. Santoprene is also made from a blend of recycled materials, industrial and post-consumer waste, which is reduce amount of waste goes to landfill. Satoprene TPV has a lower environmental impact compared to rubber in terms of its production process.
Avient drives 100% PCR Colorants and Additives that is made entirely from post-consumer recycled materials. Using post-consumer recycled materials in the production of colorants and other plastic products can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste by diverting it from landfills and incinerators and creating a more circular economy. One of the solutions offered by Avient such as Cesa™ Nox A4R, a a high-performance polymer additive which is the main benefit is its ability to improve the processability and performance of polyolefin-based materials, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Using Cesa™ Nox A4R enhance processability, improved mechanical properties, reduced emissions, and enhanced sustainability.
Arguably, that impactful innovation results from leveraging technology and precision in identifying market needs within the value chain.