Toray’s proposal Super Light lidding for APET trays selected by CITEO for its Eco-design call for projects
Since 1992, recycling rate for household packaging in France has been multiplied by 4, which is a very good progress for sustainability: 70% of them are recycled yearly. However, today, recycling plastic rate barely achieve 26%. Then, one of the main goal of France is to have a solution for recycling or valorising all plastic packaging (boxes, films, trays, bags…).
In its sector, recycling is a real concern for Toray. Indeed, one of Toray’s main mission is to contribute on sorting and recycling plastic. Therefore, thanks to CITEO, Toray Films Europe has set up a project for recycling packaging¹.
Presentation of CITEO
CITEO is a French privately owned “not for profit” organisation, governed by the State, that will give products a second life. The main mission of CITEO is then to reduce environment impact of household packaging and papers by finding eco-design, collection, recyclable and reemployment solutions for 100% of packaging and papers to help preserve resources and the planet. Today, CITEO is a collaboration between 28 000 clients, 66 million consumers, 700 local’s collectivities and 36 000 municipalities. One of CITEO priority issues is to modernize the collection, sorting and recycling processes in order to recycle or valorize 100% of plastic packaging.
Moreover, CITEO is deeply involved to spot innovation and to support international start-ups committed to circular economy.
Set up of Toray’s Super Light Lidding for APET trays project
In December 2018, CITEO initiated an eco-design innovation project contest, specific to trays & lidding sectors. For this contest, Toray Films Europe proposed an eco-designed project: The Super Light Lidding for APET trays. For this project, Toray is committed with two partners: Leygatech, in France, which produces sealant barrier flexible films and Enplater Group (Envases Plasticos del Ter), in Spain, which prints and converts structure for flexible packaging. Together, they will set up this solution for thermoformed plastic trays which will allow to take a step forward to improve the recycling of household packaging.
Following this contest, CITEO has selected five “recycling” and “eco-design” projects including the eco-design one from Toray. CITEO will support actively Toray’s project during the next 18 months, until 2021.
Solutions proposed by this eco-design project
With this eco-design project, Toray proposes a solution to enhance Mono APET trays’ recyclability (for ham, cheese, prepared meals…) by offering a lid that will be separable from the tray during the recycling process. This solution shall allow to recycle mono clear APET trays in a most efficient and cleaner way vs incumbent solutions. Toray will use its ability to propose thinner film to the packaging market to make this project possible.
Not under-estimating the target of the project which is to improve the rate and quality of recycling, Toray and its two partners will aim to offer to industrial users a packaging solution which will be compatible with the existing forming sealing technology, without compromising on quality, shelf life and overall productivity and modifying consumers’ behavior.
Recycling packaging¹: characteristic of a packaging that can be diverted from trash flux by proceeds and available program and that can be collected, treated and put back into use in the shape of raw material or product.