KM Packaging has welcomed the Soft Plastics Taskforce’s recently released Roadmap to Restart, which outlines the steps needed to relaunch a supermarket soft plastic collection scheme in Australia, following the suspension of the REDcycle program.
Under the current plan of the Taskforce, which is made up of major supermarket retailers Aldi, Coles and Woolworths, an initial in-store collection pilot is anticipated to launch in select stores later this year, with plans for a nationwide roll-out by next year.
KM has recently established its official business entity in Australia, and said it remains committed to providing sustainable solutions to suit its customers’ requirements in the region.
This commitment includes launching its K-Peel range of non-PET lidding films, PCR films, and home compostable and industrial compostable lidding films K-Nature Laminate 50.
The company also provides 30 per cent PCR content PET options for customers who choose to use the ‘leave attached/tethered’ option where aPET or rPET trays are used for kerbside collection.
Last year, KM launched its range of sustainable lidding film solutions for the Australian market, which were designed to help customers meet their commitments to the National Packaging Targets.
To support the launch, KM have also released its Sustainable Lidding Films – Australia insight guide, which provides an at-a-glance introduction to the sustainable products that fall within four sections, spanning across its existing comprehensive K-Peel, K-Seal, K-Foil and K-Reseal lidding ranges.
These include:
- In-store recyclable: Cold peelable combinations of PE and PPs, which are sealable to PET, PP and pulp/fibre trays. They are PREP tool approved for return-to-store recycling.
- PCR: Coid peel and weld mono PET films containing a minimum of 30 per cent post-consumer recyclate, suitable for sealing to PET, PP and smoothwall aluminium trays.
- Compostable: Peel and weld seal to PET and pulp/fibre trays. Certified home compostable to Australian AS-5810 standards.
- Tethered: PET lidding film solutions ideal for tethering to rPET and aPET trays for kerbside recycling.
All of the structures – which are suitable for the fresh produce, protein and read-meal sectors – can be used in top-seal lidding applications to form pre-made pouches, and for flow wrap through FFS machines.
The films can also be printed or perforated, depending on the need.
“We offer an extensive range of specialist lidding films, and flexible packaging to major and specialist food manufacturers in Australia,” said John Shipley, business unit director for Australia and Europe at KM Packaging.
“Our sustainable range is designed to help our customers achieve their National Packaging Targets, whether through in-store collection, home composting, 30 per cent PCR content, or kerbside recycling through tethering.”
