Life cycle assessments are vital tools for evaluating the environmental impact of flexible packaging solutions and guiding sustainable innovation.
Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are becoming increasingly crucial in evaluating the environmental impact of flexible packaging solutions. A recent study conducted by Südpack, in collaboration with Sphera, explored the life cycle of their Flow Pack PurePP films using the ISO 14040/44 standards. These flexible films, primarily used in the food sector, are made from polypropylene (PP) and boast a recyclability rate of 92%, as certified by the cyclos-HTP institute.
The LCA followed a cradle-to-grave approach, assessing factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, fossil resource consumption, eco- and human-toxicity, energy use, and disposal options. The baseline analysis used the German recycling mix, with additional scenarios including 100% mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and thermal recovery.
Results indicated that incineration leads to the highest emissions, producing 293 g CO₂e/m², while mechanical recycling lowers this by approximately 50 g CO₂e/m². When renewable energy sources are used, emissions can drop further by over 5%. The analysis also highlighted the benefits of mechanical recycling over chemical methods due to lower energy consumption during processing.
The findings underline the need for fact-based, comprehensive LCAs to inform decision-making and improve the sustainability of flexible packaging solutions. By using such assessments, companies can better understand the environmental footprint of their products and explore effective methods for reducing it through innovative recycling techniques and energy-efficient practices.
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