Global materials science company Dow has partnered with leading China-based dairy company Mengniu, to launch an all-polyethylene (PE) yoghurt pouch designed for recyclability.
The partnership strengthens both companies’ commitment to achieving a circular economy in China.
Leveraging the expertise of Dow and the collaboration across the value chain, Mengniu developed its first all-PE yoghurt pouch designed for recyclability, with Dow’s INNATE TF-BOPE resins helping to ensure that the packaging maintains its appearance and productiveness.
The company said the newly developed all-PE packaging is a breakthrough for the dairy industry, as it enables traditional hard-to-recycle packaging to be integrated into closed-loop recycling streams through responsible and mechanical recycling technology, providing consumers with more choices of sustainable packaging.
“This partnership with Mengniu is a milestone for both brands to pioneer all-PE dairy packaging designed for recyclability in China,” said Bambing Candra, APAC’s commercial vice-president at Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.
“The country’s ambition to work towards zero-waste cities has changed how it tackles plastic waste.
“This collaboration is a significant step in facilitating recyclability and empowering the possibilities for recycled packaging to be transformed into high-value applications through responsible disposal and appropriate recycling process, reducing our industry’s reliance on unrenewable resources.
“Through our advanced R&D capabilities, we strive to help brand owners like Mengniu to take action and deliver on their sustainability commitments.”
Mengniu set a goal to achieve 100 per cent technically recyclable packaging by 2025, striving to adopt low-carbon packaging in all product lines.
Environmentally-friendly manufacturing is an important pillar of Mengniu’s sustainability strategy, and adopting more sustainable packaging is one significant action to fulfil the commitment.
Mengniu’s yoghurt with the all-PE packaging designed for recyclability will be unveiled at the 2023 International Dairy Forum from 4-7 August in Hothot, a major city in Northern China, and will be available starting from supermarkets across the city.
