Blow Molding

The materiality of an issue is another way of asking ‘how relevant and important is it?’. This is considered from two perspectives, those of the broader stakeholders (internal and external) and those of the company itself. 

New regulations for food contact materials are getting stricter, especially for food-grade rPET. In the case of functional barriers from recycled material without prior decontamination, they could be affected and probably discontinued.

Advanced machinery that can effectively decontaminate post-consumer plastics is the key to producing rPET with exceptionally high purity. This quality is essential for FDA-approved food-grade packaging.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has established 9 Golden Design rules to tackle plastic pollution. Rule #1 is to increase the value of PET recycling by embracing transparency and simplicity.

PET is widely used in beverage bottles and packaging, and grapples with persistent challenges in achieving high recycling rates in the United States. Despite its inherent recyclability, PET recycling rates remain relatively low, underscoring a complex interplay of factors.

Specialized equipment that enhances skin recovery in chronic wounds usually needs biocompatible, sterilizable, and durable materials. For this reason, Vaporox developed the VHT-200 to foster revascularization and tissue growth in chronic skin wounds using a high-tech polycarbonate. Tailored for clinic and physician office use, the medical device required a robust material for its vaporizer component. Due to the device’s significance, technical support from the plastic supplier was a crucial factor in the decision-making process.

Most companies would like to improve their sustainability but they do not know where to start and do not have a method of assessing their current status. Without knowing where you are starting from it is impossible to plot a route to where you want to get to. 

One of the quickest ways to start to control energy use is to integrate reporting into the accounts package (along with all the other vital business numbers). Energy use and management is not a ‘technology fix’, it is a vital business measurement and tool. Some of the most effective energy management efforts can come directly from the accounting function. 

No sustainability management program will be successful unless top management is committed to it. Top management will generally respond better to a well-reasoned financial argument but there is no conflict – it is entirely possible to be more sustainable and to improve profits at the same time. 

Companies that produce Fluoropolymers may try to switch to PFAS-free solutions or ask for an exemption, which could be temporary.

If energy use is not visible and measured then there will be no improvement. Every site needs an ‘Energy Policy’ – a statement of commitment on energy use.

Sidel’s StarLITE R bottle is said to offer blow molders a wider processing window for making carbonated soft drink bottles from 100 percent recycled PET.