Amcor, Nestle collaborate on recyclable pet food retort pouch

Zurich-based Amcor in collaboration with Nestlé, Vevey, Switzerland, have announced the launch of the world’s first recyclable flexible retort pouch.

Amcor and Nestlé partnered to overcome the challenge of recycling retort flexible packaging, and the companies say they have achieved a technical breakthrough which underscores both companies’ long-term commitment to more sustainable packaging solutions. The partners collaborated during the product development process, testing for heat resistance, machine performance, shelf-life and recyclability in the real world.

© Amcor

“Amcor and Nestlé together have been able to create a unique solution that for years was thought impossible,” says Michael Zacka, president of Amcor Flexibles EMEA. “This high-barrier, high-heat resistant packaging can be easily recycled within plastic recycling streams already existing in several European countries.”

Flexible retort packaging is a modern alternative to metal cans, and it can improve the carbon footprint of hundreds of consumer products thanks to its light weight, resource efficiency, ease of transportation and by minimizing food waste.

The new pouch meets the packaging guidelines for a circular economy recently published by the CEFLEX (A Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging) Consortium. 

Project Coordinator and Workstream Consultant for CEFLEX Graham Houlder says, “This is a great example of how – through innovation – companies can solve even the biggest challenges to recyclability. Recyclable retort packaging is a revolutionary advance and will have a huge impact in pet food and beyond.”

This innovation underscores Amcor’s long-term commitment to more sustainable packaging solutions. The company is on the path to fulfilling its pledge to develop all of its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025.