Aquapak has won the Snacks and Confectionery category of the Environmental Packaging Awards for helping create the world’s first fully recyclable paper crisp packet.
A breakthrough in flexible packaging recyclability
Flexible plastic packaging is notoriously difficult to recycle effectively with billions of crisp packets being sent to landfill or incineration around the world. A new material that can help prevent this is a major breakthrough for the snack packaging sector, and comes at a time when brands are seeking new solutions to comply with changing plastic packaging legislation.
The revolutionary new packaging was developed alongside Evopak for The British Snack Food Co. The special packet incorporates a layer of Hydropol coated onto paper which adds strength to the paper, an excellent oxygen barrier (OTR) for freshness, and makes hard-to-recycle flexible packaging fully kerbside recyclable, repulpable and biodegradable.
Hydropol marine-safe, non-toxic polymer technology was developed and patented by Aquapak to improve recyclability and packaging circularity and remove the risk of lingering plastic pollution in the environment. It has attracted attention from packaging converters and brands looking for sustainable packaging solutions as it breaks down harmlessly in all existing recycling streams and if it does escape into the environment, it biodegrades completely, leaving nothing behind such as harmful microplastics.
OPRL certified as recyclable
The new crisp packets have been certified as recyclable in standard paper recycling mills by OPRL, the only evidence-based on pack recycling labelling scheme. This means they feature the green recycle logo and can be disposed of in consumer kerbside collections along with other paper material, unlike other crisp packets which must be returned to store for disposal. The Hydropol layer is uniquely formulated to dissolve completely in the recycling process, allowing up to 100% recovery of paper pulp in the paper mill.
Mark Lapping, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapak, said:
“It is fantastic that Hydropol technology and its ability to revolutionise packaging has been recognised with another award. It is a prestigious accolade for the partners who collaborated to harness cutting-edge polymer science and paper expertise to make the first truly environmentally friendly crisp packet a reality. Thank you to all those involved.”
Premium product protection
Hydropol gives paper the functional performance and strength to match the flexible plastic equivalent enabling brands to confidently switch to paper-based packaging which is easier for consumers to recycle at home. To meet high moisture barriers needed to keep the crisps fresh in transit and on the shelf, Hydropol was used in combination with an Nissha metallised paper in order to give the additional moisture barrier required for this particular application.
To learn more about our innovative sustainable packaging solutions and how they can benefit your business, request a sample today.
