All articles by Alexander Love
Alexander Love
Resolving the health issues from mineral oil inks in packaging
Amid the greater understanding of the health risks posed by mineral oil inks, alternatives are being sought for packaging. Mineral oil-free inks are not only safer for human health but also better for the environment and recycling. We learn about these new products and the increasing drive behind recycling in Asia.
Sustainable barrier coatings: Reducing waste in food packaging material
With increasing demand for more sustainable packaging, brands and manufacturers are seeking to reduce the amount of material used for food packaging and lessen the environmental impact. Yet, especially in food packaging applications, there is a need to preserve the food by protecting it against elements such as light or oxygen that may degrade it. Traditionally film layers such as EVOH have been utilised to provide this barrier. However, these films may negatively impact the recyclability of the packaging. To solve this issue, coatings specialists Siegwerk and Henkel have partnered to develop a sustainable oxygen barrier coating for food packaging. We learn more about the project.
Closing the loop: How shrink sleeves can boost recycling of plastic bottles
Shrink sleeves are increasingly appearing on more plastic bottles, offering many benefits for branding and improving recyclability. We take a look at the advantages of the shrink sleeve and how using the correct materials is vital for recycling and reusing packaging waste.