- The European Union envisions flexible packaging made exclusively using recycling-friendly solutions, and several studies point to polyurethane-based components as a possible breakthrough.
- COIM - exploiting its competitive advantage of its in-house production of polyurethane from the polyester raw material - is working to boost its “3-in-1” offer for polyurethane-based flexible packaging: coatings, adhesives and inks.
- Specific examples of this development are the polyurethane-based Coiminks and the Novacote® NC 560 A + CA 101’ adhesive, recently approved by Recyclass as fully compatible with the recycling stream of flexible polyethylene in Europe.
C.O.I.M. S.p.A., an Italian multinational that has manufactured chemical products since 1962 and that operates all over the world through nineteen manufacturing and trading companies, is investing in a number of R&D projects to bring out a full range of recyclable flexible polyurethane-based packaging solutions, including inks.
“We're exploring mechanically recycling flexible plastic packaging without the typical downgrading seen in recycling processes. This means the recycled material can maintain its integrity and be used for its original purpose rather than being diverted to applications like benches and plastic bags, which isn’t a genuinely sustainable approach,” explains Ivo Sensini, Flexible Packaging Inks Division Manager at COIM. “Therefore, we are directing our efforts towards replacing nitro-based inks with polyurethane-based alternatives. This transition means that during the recycling phase, it is possible to produce transparent crystalline granules, which can be used for diverse applications.”
Apart from recycling, polyurethane-based inks must address the need for print quality that matches the current standards in the flexible packaging sector. The industry has invested significantly in developing printing techniques that deliver exceptional quality, even for intricate images, meeting the very high aesthetic standards of European packaging. COIM is also striving to ensure that polyurethane-based inks provide the same level of printability as the currently used inks.
“COIM is committed to identifying recyclable solutions not only in inks but also in coatings and adhesives for flexible packaging, in line with our “3-in-1” strategy, which enables us to provide our customers with complete flexible packaging solutions,” explains Luca Gianzini, Marketing and M&A Manager at COIM.
“Recently, for example, Recyclass approved the COIM adhesive Novacote® NC 560 A + CA 101’ as fully compatible with the recycling stream of polyethylene in Europe,” concludes Gianzini.
Novacote® NC 560 A + CA 101' is a solvent-based aliphatic laminating adhesive used in the manufacture of multilayer PE films for food and pharma flexible packaging. As Recyclass communicates, “Scientific testing shows that, unlike many other laminating adhesives, COIM’s technology results in only a very slight effect on the colour of final recyclates. This Recyclability Approval emphasizes the importance of innovation in overcoming some of the commonly found design issues in plastic packaging. Moreover, it reinforces the work of the RecyClass Laminating Adhesives Working Group, which COIM is part of, in generating knowledge on the use of laminating adhesives.”
C.O.I.M. S.p.a. press office: Origgi Consulting S.r.l.
Manager: Daniela Origgi
d.origgi@origgiconsulting.it – Mob. (+39) 347 1729113
COIM press office team:
pressoffice@origgiconsulting.it - Tel. (+39) 039 2307137
