Customised sorting developer Tomra, and V-Shapes, supplier of vertically integrated products and services for sustainable single-dose packaging, say the V-Shapes sachets are easily detected in the waste stream for proper sorting, thanks to their polypropylene construction.
The sachets are constructed with material from a variety of sources, including V-Shapes-developed materials, as well as substrate provided by Sihl, which is specifically designed for recyclability, and it says, ideal for use with aqueous inks in digital printing.
V-Shapes recyclable material is also compatible with Sihl Artysio recyclable functional flexible packaging films for aqueous inkjet printing – providing multiple choices for sachet configuration.
Sihl offers a special coating that works with water-based inkjet inks, and a multi-functional top film that it says also has sealing properties ""to provide the best protection during the shelf life period" with barrier properties matched to the product being filled.
In addition to the Tomra verification of detectability, the independent auditing company, Interseroh, has confirmed the recyclability of the V-Shapes ‘Made for Recycling’ PP packaging used to create the sachets.
“We were satisfied with the detectability of sachets constructed from V-Shapes-developed monopolymer PP and the ability for the sachets to be accurately detected in the waste stream using our near infrared light detection system,” explains Charlotte Glassneck, manager plastics applications, Tomra.
“Even the smallest V-Shapes PP sachets, which are available as small as 40 x 50mm and 40 x 80mm, are detectable, as they are sorted in the waste stream using our detection equipment, and can be accurately sorted in the industrial recycling process.”
The specific sachet material tested by Tomra was constructed of a V-Shapes-developed semi-rigid material for use on the bottom of the sachet, and a flexible PP monopolymer for use on the top layer.
This includes a thin inner liner of aluminium oxide to establish a barrier to prevent migration of contaminants into the contained product.
Pre-cut sheets, rather than assembled product, were used in the verification process.
“Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, brands, retailers and operators of large-audience venues, such as sports arenas, airports and theme parks have expressed a growing interest in a more sustainable, hygienic and convenient way to dispense products in precise single-dose measures,” says Christian Burattini, V-Shapes CEO.
“These sachets, combined with the efficiency and cost savings associated with our vertically integrated Alpha and Prime converting/filling units, offer a way of meeting those needs.”
V-Shapes are available in the Australian and New Zealand markets from Total Brand Security.
