Neopac receives US Association of Plastic Recyclers’ approval for mono-material barrier tube
09 Feb 2022 --- The polyfoil mono-material barrier (MMB) tube by packaging provider Hoffmann Neopac has been approved by the US Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as recyclable in existing waste streams. The tube reportedly reduces carbon footprint by 38% compared to traditional laminated tubes.
“Polyfoil MMB is suitable for a wide variety of sensitive cosmetics – such as natural products without stabilizers – as well as oxygen-sensitive products,” Cornelia Schmid, marketing manager at Neopac, tells PersonalCareInsights.
Due to the combined focus on aesthetics, product protection and user-friendliness, the Polyfoil tube passed testing with and without an optional thin film metal.
Stability testing
Polyfoil MMB tubes are currently available, with cosmetic companies performing stability tests.
“The tests have been with oral care products as well as natural beauty brands. Typically, these tests ensure that the formula stays stable in a tube with Polyfoil MMB’s particular mono-material construction,” explains Schmid.
In contrast to current blown film and extruded film solutions used by oral care brands, Polyfoil is made by an adhesive laminated process.
Polyfoil MMB answers recyclability goals while maintaining aesthetic printing and decorative options.
Beauty packaging producer Aptar Beauty previously launched Purity Lite, a polyethylene (PE) closure and tube combination that creates a fully recyclable mono-material solution. Additionally, Tubex Aluminium Tubes launched the recyclable Monotube for skincare.
“What makes Polyfoil MMB unique is its unprecedented combination of high-barrier and protection properties, exemplary materials purity and premium aesthetic features. Further, it comes with an optional recyclable metallic sleeve whose seam is virtually invisible for compelling all-around printing,” adds Schmid.
Trialed and tested
Polyfoil’s shoulder and cap are made with low MFI HDPE (melt flow index high-density PE) and 2% foreign material. The tube and cap combo was successfully tested at the end of 2020 by RecyClass, an initiative by Plastic Recyclers Europe.
A review committee set up by the APR Recognition Operating Procedures reviewed Neopac’s data submission, concluding that a qualified laboratory rightly developed its research.
The APR-certified Polyfoil MMB tubes met or exceeded the test conditions criteria for packages recycled in the HDPE bottle stream.
Neopac coordinates eco-friendly initiatives within the plastic industry to produce barrier tubes compatible with recycling streams. The supplier previously devised a precision dropper tube for Vitamin D.
By Venya Patel
