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Ecolean’s aseptic lightweight aluminium-free packaging portfolio
Ecolean gets the nod of South Korean ministry
In South Korea new recyclability gra- ding test, Ecolean’s aseptic packages outranked most other solution provi- ders in the country’s food and drink pa- ckaging segment. The absence of alu- minum, which is often used for aseptic cartons and other liquid food packa- ging, made Ecolean’s portfolio ranked as ‘good’ in a four-grade scale by Sou- th Korea’s Ministry of Environment to determine how easily packages can be recycled.
Ecolean’s lightweight aluminium- free packaging portfolio consists of aseptic, flexible packaging made from polyolefins and up to 35% chalk, which gives the packages their strength, stiffness and smooth sur- face. The printed, shaped and fully sealed packages are sterilised using electron beam treatment before shipping to the filling machine at the customer’s site. Prior to opening, filling and sealing in the filling ma- chines, the outer surfaces of the pa-
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ckages are desterilised using a system of 1% peroxide spray and UV light.
Last December, South Korea intro- duced the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, re- quiring food and beverage packaging to contain labels that show a material’s recyclability grade, thereby encoura- ging resource efficiency and the use of easy-to-recycle packages. The nation gave a nine-month grace period for businesses to comply with the new re- gulations ended this September.
“The South Korean Ministry of Environment’s grade of the Ecolean pa- ckages’ recyclability only confirms that we are on the right path – developing and manufacturing unique packaging solutions that make a difference in the long run. As a global producer of light- weight packaging, Ecolean makes it ea- sier for consumers, liquid food brands as well as the environment”, said Paul Mellbin, Senior Advisor, Ambient Tech- nology at Ecolean.
“The fact that our type of sterilisa- tion process is separated from the fil- ling machines and performed at the Ecolean manufacturing plants is quite unique in the industry and something we are very proud of. It makes the pro- cess easier for our customers, and that as well as having sustainability in mind when designing our lightweight packa- ging solutions is key.
The confirmed recyclability of our packages in Korea just further adds to the fact that our unique approach is crucial for the beverage, dairy and liquid food industry” Paul Mellbin said. Ecolean increased its footprint in South Korea last year with Yakult selecting its Air Aseptic range for two new launches in the country. “The Ecolean package is the perfect fit for us, since it is lightweight and flexi- ble, yet extremely durable. We have already seen a huge interest from consumers,” said Jeonghyeon Hong, Marketing Manager, Yakult Korea.
(Source: Ecolean)
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