Borealis PP bottle includes reuse aspect

Borealis, an Austria-based global packaging firm, says it has worked with United States-based Trexel, a developer of foaming injection and blow molding processes, to create a new polypropylene (PP) bottle based on a grade from the Bornewables portfolio of polyolefins made using renewable feedstocks “derived 100 percent from [scrap] and residue streams.”

The bottle will be on display at the Borealis stand at the K 2022 (K Fair) on Oct. 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Borealis calls the bottle reusable and fully recyclable and says it “boasts a significantly lower overall CO₂ footprint because it is composed of renewably-sourced feedstock and produced in a foaming process.”

Borealis says its Bornewables portfolio of circular polyolefins offers material performance equal to virgin polymers, also allowing for “design freedom and color flexibility” to “retain a premium look and feel.”

The new reusable new bottle retains its value over many life cycles because of the use of Trexel’s molding technology, while the use of a Bornewables grade means the new bottle minimizes its use of virgin materials. “Moreover, converters consume less energy in the production process when using the [Trexel] MuCell technology,” Borealis says.

“Reuse and recycling are core components of the integrated circular cascade model aligned with our EverMinds platform, which unites committed players across the entire value chain in accelerating the move to plastics circularity,” says Peter Voortmans, Borealis global commercial director of consumer products.

Voortmans adds, “This project is an excellent example of how we are working with industry partners to solve the problem of plastic waste while delivering real value to our customers. Combining our polymers and recycling expertise with Trexel’s material processing know-how enables us to reinvent essentials for sustainable living.”

“Having anticipated market demand for more sustainable plastic packaging, we have focused our development resources over the last several years on the circular sphere,” says David Bernstein, Trexel board chair and interim CEO. “Our foaming solutions for blow molding and thin-wall packaging enable brand owners and molders to realize improved sustainability and enhanced product performance while delivering cost savings.”