Smart Molding International 4-2021

materials 46 smart_molding international 4/2021 G reiner Packaging is pursuing various approaches to make its packaging solutions as sustain - able as possible. One course of action is to use so-called circular materials – that is, renewable, non-fossil fuel feed - stocks. For the first time, the packaging manufacturer has now produced a food cup made of premium polyolefins ob - tained exclusively from waste and resi - due streams. The Bornewables line of products is manufactured by Borealis, a leading supplier of polyolefins based in Vienna, Austria. Unlike renewable raw materials pro - duced with agricultural crops grown for foodand livestock feed, theBornewables products are made from second-gen - eration (i.e., renewably sourced) feed - stocks derived solely from waste and residue streams: from vegetable oil production as well as oil waste and resi - dues, from the timber industry, or from the food industry – for instance, used cooking oil. Same material performance, fast production changeover The Bornewables offer the same characteristics as virgin polyolefin materials while boasting a substantially reduced carbon footprint. “The Bornewables portfolio represents a key step in our efforts to offer products decoupled from traditional feedstock, with the aim of providing a solution to the CO2 challenge. Through this prod - uct range, we are helping our customers and the value chain achieve their own sustainability targets, maintain their existing quality standards, and provide packaging solutions that are approved for food contact. We focus on the needs of our customers and the value chain as we work to drive the transition to a cir - cular economy for plastics,” says Trevor Davis, Head of Marketing, Consumer Products at Borealis. Carbon footprint reduced by up to 127 percent A life cycle analysis initiated by Borealis at its Kallo site in Belgium, showed that using Bornewables sub - stantially reduces a product’s carbon footprint by at least 2.7 kg CO2eq for every kilogram of polymer. This repre - The mass balance model for the Bornewables range from Borealis encompasses the entire value chain (picture: Borealis) By using the Bornewables™ portfolio, Greiner Packaging is for the first time incorporating renewable resources in the production of food cups made of polypropylene with in-mold labeling as the decoration technology. Initial prototypes of the cups are available now. The new premium polyolefins designed for circularity by Borealis offer a host of advantages: • Manufactured using second-generation feedstocks not based on fossil fuels • Same performance as virgin materials; drop-in solution, approved for food contact • SCC PLUS certification, based on the mass balance approach • Carbon footprint reduced by up to 120 percent Cup prototypes made of Bornewables™ – premium polyolefins designed for circularity