ExxonMobil and Thanh Phu reportedly are collaborating on a 100% polyethylene (PE) solution to address the market’s demand for a more recyclable solution for laminated packaging. Recycling of laminated packaging has been a long-standing challenge for the packaging industry because of the mix of materials that make up its structure. The cost and effort required to separate the polyolefin layer from its laminates, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or oriented polypropylene (OPP), are complex and is an issue for packaging recycling companies. The ability to replace conventional laminated packaging with packaging that can be recycled will allow the industry to take a significant step toward developing solutions with more benefits that consumers are demanding.

“Our collaboration with Thanh Phu has resulted in a solution for a laminated flexible package that can be recycled in the same collection stream as PE by using our Exceed™ XP, Exceed™ and Enable™ performance polymers and their proprietary film conversion technology,” said Haridass Kalidas, Asia-Pacific performance polyethylene marketing manager for ExxonMobil Chemical.

“This is a true synergy between material science and conversion technology innovation,” said Alex Dam, executive vice president for Thanh Phu. “We have changed the cradle-to-grave cycle into a more responsible cradle-to-cradle concept. Our aim is to have a full PE alternative to conventional laminated solutions without compromising performance, while maintaining an attractive cost-efficiency ratio.”

For more information, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com or www.thanhphupack.com.