UK-based rigid plastics packaging manufacturer RPC Group has selected clear polypropylene (PP) for sustainable packaging application for some of its products.
The company uses PP for majority of its thermoformed, blow molded and thin walled injection molded food-related applications.
According to the company, high clarity PP enables a new level of brilliance and transparency for plastic packaging.
RPC Group claims that the highly appealing aesthetics can be achieved through the addition of Milliken's Millad NX 8000 advanced clarifying agent, particularly in light of increasing environmental awareness and tightening packaging regulations.
The clarifying agent allows the processing of PP at lower temperatures resulting in a reduction in energy usage, shorter cooling times and a lower carbon footprint, with the possibility of faster cycle times for higher productivity.
Clear PP is also said to ensure good impact protection and barrier protection for finished packaging that help to extend the shelf-life of products and prevent food waste by protecting produce from "plot to plate".
Clear PP is claimed to be suitable for recycling, in particular into non-food applications, a key focus area for RPC, which has been working with AkzoNobel on the use of post consumer recycled material in their Dulux brand PP paint containers, at an inclusion rate of 25%.
RPC general manager UK David Baker said the government has set new packaging recycling targets through to 2017.
"The targets are material specific and plastics got the most stretching target of all, requiring plastics recycling to double over the next five years," added Baker.
