Smart Molding International 4-2021

17 newsfeed www.smart-molding.com Dijkstra Plastics proudly announced in October of the acquisition of the In - ternational Sustainability and Carbon Certification, or ISCC Plus certification. Thanks to this certification, the company took another step in the development in the area of sustainable plastic packaging solutions. This gives Dijkstra Plastics the opportunity to use bio - logical (bio-based) material as a raw material for their packaging tubs. What is bio-based material? Until now, the vast major - ity of polypropylene granu - late has been made from fossil-based raw materials (petroleum). But more and more alternatives of more sustainable origin are avail - able. For example, bio-based material is made from palm oil or rapeseed oil, amongst others, which can be used to make new polypropyl - ene. By avoiding the use of petroleum to do this, Dijkstra Plastics achieves a great re - duction in CO 2 . Alternative: Chemically recycled material At the moment, Dijkstra Plastics predominantly of - fers Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material for the non- food market. Because this material comes from many sources and is processed into new granulate, it does not meet legal requirements for use as packaging material in the food industry. To realise this, the material must be broken down to molecular level, or chemically recycled. By recycling this material ac - cordingly, all contaminant substances are removed from the raw material, and chemically recycled material can also be used in the food industry. Although this is not the end of the line, the com - pany is proud to be able to collaborate on these projects that lay the foundation for the future. Dijkstra Plastics wants to make the packag - ing industry circular as well as sustainable. Dijkstra Plastics www.rdplastics.nl From petroleum to rapeseed oil Picture: Dijkstra Plastics Muller Technology has collaborated with a leading European packaging manu - facturer to develop the industry’s first hybrid pail with strong barrier proper - ties and a more sustainable packaging option. The new package takes a unique approach to improved sustainability. The injection moulded container consists of a polypropylene skeletal structure and a pre-cut pa - perboard label. The pail uses 75 per cent less plastic than typical PP pails of this volume. The container has 47 square centimetres of projected area with an L/T (flow length/wall thickness) ratio of 350. The container also incorporates a tamper-evident break-off tab made of PP. The Skel-Pac makes use of Muller’s unique mold and IML technology, fully automated cobot case packing system, and vision inspection system. Taras Konowal, Direc - tor of Sales and Marketing, North America, for Muller Technology, said: “We take our responsibility as stewards of the environment very seri - ously andwe’re committed to helping our customers meet the growing demands for more sustainable packaging. In response to volatile resin pricing, brand owners and packaging manufacturers are exploring alternative packag - ing that delivers sustainability benefits and cuts cost.” The manufacturing system features a two-cavity mould and a four-cavity IML base robot which results in a 4.5-5 sec cycle time. The hybrid pail offers an attractive shape while excellent printing and design capabilities showcase the brand. The new package is commercially available in Germany. Leading brand own - ers are considering this tech - nology for a range of other food and non-food products. Muller Technology www.muller-technology.com 75 percent plastic reduction Picture: Muller Technology