Repsol has expanded its ultra-clean polyethylene range – now featuring several grades of HDPE, low-density metallocene, and an EBA copolymer – and expects to provide customers with various options to replace multi-material flexibles while aligning with recyclability targets set out in upcoming EU legislation.
Apparently, the new range increases the stretch ratio of non-ultra-clean polyethylene grades by 40% – enhancing the performance of its final products and improving processability compared to alternatives currently on the market. The stretch ratio is said to enable the materials’ use in applications with maximum orientation and differentiated mechanical properties.
In turn, the solution anticipates the requirement that all packaging on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030, with Repsol aiming to help its customers fulfill that target.
With the recent development of MDO technology to produce mono-material packaging, its minimal installed capacity is still under development; Repsol describes it as a ‘novel solution with high potential to solve the sustainability challenges of flexible packaging’.
The company seeks to encourage its customers to design packaging for mechanical recycling in a bid to cut down on carbon footprint and increase efficiency.
“We are proud to launch one of the most comprehensive ranges to support customers in this initial phase and accompany them in the innovation process,” said Antonio Portela, Polyolefins director at Repsol. “Our new range is also available in its circular, bio, and bio-circular alternatives to further drive our customers’ sustainability commitments in circularity and decarbonization.”
Pablo Giner, Polyethylene director at Repsol, added: “With this launch, we offer our clients a global eco-design solution for flexible packaging based on our broad portfolio of polyolefins: HDPE, mLLDPE, and EBA.”
Repsol’s HDPE UltraClean 110, HDPE UltraClean 120, mLLDPE UltraClean 210, mLLDPE UltraClean 220, and EBA UltraClean 310 material grades are now commercially available.
The news follows the release of Repsol’s ISCC PLUS certified circular EVA copolymers late last year. Claimed to be the first of their kind on the market, the copolymers are intended to help establish a circular economy for polyolefins and cut down on Repsol’s own virgin raw material consumption.
In another development, LeadEdge Flexo has developed a new mounting material made of bio-based polyethylene and seeks to lower the reliance on synthetic virgin material in corrugated post-printing solutions.
Berry Global has also unveiled an upgraded version of its Omni Xtra polyethylene cling film for fresh food products, intended as a certified recyclable alternative to traditional PVC solutions.
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