Using a percentage of polyamide in advanced packaging could reduce overall film thickness by more than 50% while remaining efficient and high-performance. Optimized functionality and processability while reducing the consumption of raw materials.
When engineering and industrialising food packaging, film manufacturers must take many factors into consideration, from their clients’ needs (gas barriers, food safety standards, etc.) up to environmental concerns and compliance with national and European regulations.
Advanced packaging containing polyamide can reduce the environmental footprint of film and packaging manufacturers, as well as that of their clients, by offering a product with advanced mechanical properties (strength, puncture resistance) which extends the shelf life of food, while using significantly reduced amounts of plastic per package (downgauging).
HIGHER PERFORMANCE OF PA ALLOWS REDUCTION OF MATERIAL AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, A REDUCTION OF THE GLOBAL-WARMING POTENTIAL (GWP)
On the production line, advanced packaging with polyamide presents notable advantages, such as excellent thermoformability and heat resistance (sterilization, fast sealing).
Because they are a direct touchpoint with food producers and other food industry enterprises, film converters are an important link in the packaging value chain. Their input is paramount when it comes to raising awareness about and promoting the unique performance and recyclability benefits of advanced flexible packaging containing polyamide.
The optimal distribution of polymers which contain polyamide during the thermoforming phase makes them state-of-the-art. The result is a deep, voluminous container of a reduced thickness that performs as well as, if not better than, mono-materials. Moreover, the print quality of advanced flexible packaging containing polyamide is absolutely analogous with single-material films.
And, at the end-of-life phase, advanced flexible packaging which contains polyamide is recyclable, a factor that is increasingly important to the industry players that film converters are in direct contact with, food brands and producers in particular.
However, because polyamide is a minor component when considering all plastic packaging waste (about 1-2%) it’s important for packaging containing polyamide to be recyclable in PE streams. Thanks to the tie layers on coextruded polyethylene-polyamide films, there will be always material compatibilization.
Currently, the European Commission is reviewing the text of proposed regulation that will determine the recyclability of various packaging materials—a regulation that will directly impact film and packaging producers and the polymers they use. Despite the current draft failing to acknowledge the benefits of polyamide-containing advanced packaging, we at APA are working to ensure that it is recognised as the easily recycled material which it is.
RECYCLING COMPATIBLE BARRIER PACKAGING
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Help accelerate a change of perspective in the world of flexible packaging.
Discover the environmental benefits and product-quality safeguards that flexible packaging which contains polyamide can offer. Gain and share know-how to raise awareness along the entire value chain, and even among consumers, policy-makers, journalists and other professionals.
Hall 11.0, Booth A34 – Messe Frankfurt, May 3–8, 2025 Frankfurt, [02/05/2025] – The Advanced Packaging Association (APA) is excited to announce its participation in IFFA 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for processing, packaging, and sales in the meat and protein sector. As packaging solutions continue to evolve, APA brings a clear and science-based […]
