Collaboration is key to unlocking circular progress. Our latest joint effort with Rani Plast, a Nordic market leader in advanced film packaging, is a testament to the power of partnership.
Together, we’re introducing a new flexible film packaging that contains 80% post-consumer recycled (PCR) low density polyethylene (LDPE) combined with 20% virgin PE. Designed for tissue paper products, including kitchen rolls and toilet paper, the multi-layer construct uses a high quality recycled material Borcycle™ M CWT100VL to deliver the same strength and performance as conventional packaging, without any increase in material thickness. Borcycle™ M is our transformational mechanical recycling technology; supercharging the transition to a circular polyolefin industry by creating highest quality materials in the most energy efficient way.
This joint success story together with Rani Plast is selected as finalist in the Plastics Recycling Europe Awards 2024, category ‘Plastic Packaging Product of the Year’ – judged on design innovation with recycled content and design for recycling. Celebrating innovation and sustainability in products made with recycled content, this nomination shines a light on our commitment to sustainable solutions. Stay tuned for the winners' announcement at Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2024!
Kitchen paper packaging Borealis and Rani Plast © Borealis
Kitchen paper packaging Borealis and Rani Plast © Borealis
This journey began in 2022, when together with Rani Plast we jointly launched flexible film packaging that contained 55% PCR PE content. Following several more years of intensive collaboration, we’ve been able to increase the amount significantly, further enhancing the packaging’s sustainability.
This breakthrough was made possible by combining our polymer expertise and Rani Plast's extensive experience in film production. The PCR rLDPE is supplied by Ecoplast, a member of the Borealis group.
At Rani Plast, we’ve always been committed to using resources in the most efficient way. By working alongside Borealis to push the circular content in our flexible film packaging to 80%, we’ve been able to take this principle a step further than ever before. This advancement means we can now offer our customers packaging solutions at the cutting edge of sustainability while still meeting the highest performance standards.
Rikhard Storbacka, Procurement and R&D Director, Rani Plast
The environmental benefits of the new packaging are substantial, with a carbon footprint reduction of at least 50% compared to traditional packaging options.* Moreover, the packaging is fully recyclable, ensuring that the value of the raw material is retained in the circular economy.
We’re also working with Rani Plast on the SPIRIT Program (Sustainable Plastics Industry Transformation) Program – a Finnish research and development (R&D) initiative that was co-founded by Borealis and seeks to bring about a circular and net-zero transformation of the plastics value chain.
This partnership underlines our EverMinds™ ambition to accelerate action on circularity through collaboration. By uniting our different strengths and knowledge, we’ve created a high-performance packaging material that not only reduces our reliance on fossil resources but also cuts our carbon footprint by at least 50%*. We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Rani Plast to discover even more ways to drive sustainable innovation.
Peter Voortmans, Global Commercial Director Consumer Products Flexibles, Borealis
*A full life cycle analysis study, including other potential environmental impacts, was not conducted. The result was estimated internally using the results from a life cycle assessment for Borealis’ virgin fossil polyolefins and a separate life cycle assessment for Borealis’ PCR produced at Ecoplast. The product carbon footprint is based on the CML2016 impact assessment methodology for the virgin fossil polyolefin and recyclates. The result is estimated for the production of the pellet mix delivered by Borealis, and based on the assumed same functional performance between the conventional virgin solution and solution containing PCR. The processing into film, transport to processing site and any other life cycle stages beyond the production of the pellets have not been considered.