Storopack produces air cushions made from 50 percent recycled material

Germany-based protective packaging developer Storopack, which has 21 locations across the United States, is broadening its sustainable air product portfolio with the production of a recycled film that it says contains at least 50 percent postconsumer and postindustrial scrap.

Called Airplus 50 percent recycled 16P Cushion, the company says the product offers the same protective properties as conventional engineered air cushions—ideal for companies that value high-quality protective packaging to keep their products safe as well as sustainability. Storopack adds that the lower material use of air cushion compared with other materials also can save costs and that Airplus is also recyclable.

Storopack says its Airplus product creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions during production compared to air pillow films made from virgin material. Due to the light weight of air pillows, CO₂ emissions are also reduced in the entire logistics chain compared to alternative materials. The use of recycling material also saves fossil fuels.

With Airplus, Storopack is expanding its product portfolio of flexible protective packaging made from recyclable and renewable materials. In addition to the new air cushion film, the company says it offers 50-percent- and 100-percent-recycled-content air pillows, numerous Paperplus paper cushions, Renature loose fill, wrap made from renewable and compostable starch materials and Pelaspan packaging loose fill, made entirely from recycled raw materials.

“Recycling is a continuous process when it comes to using materials efficiently and sustainably,” says Hermann Reichenecker, chairman of the management board at Storopack. “Indeed, it is often possible to use leftover materials to make new protective packaging without compromising on vital properties.”