Recent developments
Circular PP scale-up
Borealis announced a EUR 49 million upgrade in Burghausen to scale production of Borstar Nextension polypropylene ssPP grades, enabling high-performance monomaterial structures that can replace complex multilayers and support EU PPWR recyclability targets for 2030. The portfolio reports improved processability, purity, clarity, and sealing relevant to flexible packaging converters.
Bio-based PEF for wine
Bio-based PEF in wine packaging was highlighted as Avantium and Packamama signed a capacity reservation agreement for releaf PEF to complement Packamama’s 100% rPET wine bottles. The PEF component offers additional barrier performance and lower lifecycle emissions versus glass, supported by an AU$1 million BRII grant for decarbonising Australian wine packaging.
Food-grade PS recycling
Food-grade polystyrene circularity featured Colruyt introducing meat trays from recycled PS derived from PMD bags, using thermal depolymerisation and distillation at Indaver’s Plastics2Chemicals facility in Antwerp to produce recycled styrene for food contact. The 26,000 t/y unit, backed by a €75 million investment, plans to add film recycling in 2026, aligning with Europe’s requirement of at least 10% recycled content in packaging by 2030.
Coatings strategy shift
Coatings supply evolved as Stahl finalized the carve-out of its wet-end leather chemicals business, focusing on speciality coatings for flexible substrates, including packaging coatings. The separation creates two independent entities, with Stahl concentrating resources on performance and packaging coatings while Muno operates wet-end leather chemistries.