Breakthrough Dow Technology Enables Recyclable Flexible Plastic Packaging
First-of-its-Kind RecycleReady™ Technology Helps Create Recyclable
Flexible Stand-Up Pouches Consumers Demand; Can Incorporate Barrier Film
Technology
MIDLAND, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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
Contacts
The Dow Chemical Company
Corey Newsom
+1 713 705 2388
CNewsom@dow.com
or
Sarah
Blodgett
+1 989 636 9323
SSBlodgett@dow.com
