During the session, Ralph Detsch, CTO at Siegwerk Group, who is responsible for the technology management, innovations and sustainable development plans at the company, will address the importance of upcycling plastic packaging to achieve a circular economy. 

"The overall goal is to create closed and regenerative loops of materials. For the packaging industry, this translates into a “Reduce – Reuse - Recycle" - approach calling for new packaging structures that increase utilisation rates and recyclability of materials," said Detsch.

Printing inks play a key role in the manufacturing of plastic packages in terms of appearance and functionality. But they also represent a major challenge when it comes to manufacturing a plastic recyclate of sound quality from post-consumer packaging waste. As an ink major, Siegwerk is leading the way in addressing these challenges.

In partnership with German-based developer of recycling technology, APK, the ink major recently completed de-inking trials of two-fold printed LDPE-films. The strategic cooperation of the two companies, which started in October 2019, contributes groundbreaking insights to facilitating the efficient recycling of flexible packaging applications.

The company has also developed a proprietary washable ink technology that enables de-inking of UV/ LED-printed PET shrink sleeves that allow the recycling of the sleeve along with PET bottles. This technology has been accredited as the first UV/ LED solution of its kind by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the national trade association of the US plastics recycling industry, that meets its guidelines for the quality improvement of recycled PET bottles.

The webinar will provide insights on many such sustainable developments at Siegwerk. "As one of the world’s leading ink manufacturers, we are committed to achieving a sensible balance between ecological, social and economic needs without compromising the resources of future generations," added Detsch.

Click here to register for the webinar.