The new bag is said to be a more sustainable version of the company’s Vitop tap and is manufactured from bio-based polypropylene (PP) resins
Smurfit Kappa launches new sustainable bag. (Credit: Smurfit Kappa)
Corrugated packaging firm Smurfit Kappa has rolled out a new sustainable bag, dubbed Vitop Renew, produced using 53% recycled and renewable content.
The packaging company stated the new bag is a more sustainable version of its Vitop tap and is manufactured from bio-based polypropylene (PP) resins.
The new offering combines an approach already taken with the bag inside the box that is manufactured of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film containing raw materials derived from plastic chemical recycling.
Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box CEO Thierry Minaud said: “Such recycled resins are still only available in very limited capacities, their production requires innovative approaches, big investments and strong market demand.
“Bag-in-Box already consists of 75% recyclable, renewable and biodegradable materials due to the paper-based box element of the design.
“We are now going further and are actively cooperating with the resin suppliers to increase the proportion of sustainable raw materials. We are ready to launch pilot projects partnering with our customers to boost the amount of recycled and renewable content in their Bag-in-Box packaging.”
The company stated that Vitop Renew and E-Recycled will expand its Bag-in-Box range of environmentally friendly products. Earlier this year, the company added the new thinner film E-Compact 60 to the portfolio.
Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box R&D director Pascal Reina said: “Bag-in-Box is proven to be the most resource-efficient packaging for liquids, with an unbeaten product to packaging ratio.
“These bio-based or chemically recycled products are certified through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC PLUS) scheme, by using the mass balance approach, they can be used as traditional polymer products.”
Also, Smurfit Kappa Group has wrapped up the acquisition of Verzuolo for €360m. Verzuolo includes a PM9 machine that was converted into a 600,000-tonne recycled containerboard machine in 2019.
Smurfit Kappa Group CEO Tony Smurfit said: “As we continue to invest in our corrugated facilities, Verzuolo strengthens the group’s integrated model and supports our sustainability ambitions.”