3 minute read
TekniPlex - A holistic drive for change
from SPN May 2022
by spnews.com
When SPN invited TekniPlex to answer some searching questions about its drive for sustainability towards a circular economy, some of the answers were unexpected, yet very refreshing, as Philip Yorke discovered.
How ‘sustainability-aware’ would you say your company is and what recent measures have you taken to improve your overall contribution to the circular economy?
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TekniPlex promotes sustainability by minimising resources while maximising product protection. Most recently we’ve adopted “Sustainability A Holistic drive for change,” a holistic approach that also considers product safety, brand protection, ecommerce, food freshness, and patient care, etc.
In relation to sustainability, what would you say have been your most important milestones?
Among our key competitive advantages is a comprehensive material science portfolio spanning plastics, rubber, aluminum, and other renewables. Recently, we’ve made significant acquisitions to expand our bio-based and compostable solutions such as paper and molded fiber.
In your opinion what have been the most significant developments in terms of recycling and bio-degradable packaging?
There have been significant strides, such as advanced recycling processes that can bring many materials to their original state, providing mechanical and technical performance as good as virgin material. Increasing recyclability is key to realizing a truly circular economy.
What do you consider to be the most promising market opportunities for your company at this time?
Opportunities relevant to sustainability touch nearly every market TekniPlex serves. Examples in the consumer products sector include 100% recycled PET egg cartons, bio-based PLA solutions, biodegradable molded fiber trays, and kraft paper cups and containers.
What are the key drivers for change in your industry sector and how much is the on-going pressure for greater sustainability and recycling affecting your productivity?
Sustainability involves not only our business but the health and prosperity of our planet. While implementing sustainable initiatives sometimes makes manufacturing more cumbersome, in the long run they are key to our business – and, of course, the right thing to do.
As we are keen to understand more about the latest trends shaping the packaging industry in your sector, what do you consider to be the most significant recent developments?
One trend is the push-pull of protecting all-natural “clean” foods with brand-appropriate sustainable packaging. Using material science, how do we maintain freshness for health and eco-conscious foods without sacrificing their sustainable appeal via packaging?
Can you describe your product portfolio and its sustainability credentials?
TekniPlex has an exceptionally wide materials and substrates portfolio that has increasingly allowed us to be “materials agnostic” to best suit specific customer needs. These include (but aren’t limited to) FPS, PET, PP, PE, EVOH, rubber, aluminum, paper & molded fiber.
Are you planning the launch of any new products in the foreseeable future that you can tell us about?
TekniPlex is constantly introducing new products and will continue to do so as we consistently strive to minimize resource usage, maximize recyclable materials and prioritize circular economy solutions – without sacrificing product protection or patient health.
How has the Covid 19 pandemic affected your production and manufacturing capabilities?
The COVID crisis caused everyone headaches, but we’re proud of our ability to adapt. Among other initiatives, we enhanced plant safety, and quickly pivoted to address the understandably increased demand for clean, safe singleserve packaging solutions.
Anyone reading will no doubt be impressed by the diversity and breadth of the company’s portfolio and its equally diverse range of carefully tailored sustainable solutions.
