The push for more sustainable packaging continues to evolve, with new innovations to maximise the value of plastic waste. For instance, Dow and RKW Group have joined forces to develop a shrink film that incorporates recycled plastics derived from household waste.
This collaboration has led to the launch of two new resin grades for non-food contact packaging applications. One contains 100 % post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, while the other is a formulated grade with up to 85 % PCR sourced from household waste. These advancements address key challenges in mechanical recycling —such as gels, color, and odor—especially in applications like collation shrink films, which require high-quality materials despite the complexities of recycling household waste.
Combining Dow’s material science expertise with RKW’s advanced extrusion and printing technologies enables the production of flexible packaging solutions that are both high-performing and recyclable. The resulting shrink film meets the rigorous standards of major brands while ensuring compatibility with existing recycling systems.
This development marks a significant milestone in improving circularity within the plastics industry, demonstrating how collaboration and technological advancements can reduce waste and create more sustainable packaging solutions.
