Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has collaborated with Essity and Dow to create new, recyclable secondary packaging for Essity’s feminine care products, using renewable materials and post-consumer recycled content that reduces the use of fossil-based materials.
Essity’s feminine care towels were previously packed in bags that already used 50% renewable materials. Extensive research and testing by Mondi, however, resulted in the recommendation of a new solution that aligns with Essity’s packaging goals – to work towards 100% recyclability and to use up to 85% biomass, renewable or recycled material in all bags where up to 25% are recycled plastics.
Mondi to fulfil its sustainability goals with Essity’s packaging for feminine care
The new packaging contributes to these sustainability goals by using renewable material and by-product from the paper-making industry that is produced from circular feedstock based on the ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) mass balance approach. The innovative packaging also contains mechanically recycled content from post-consumer material. Mondi worked with long-term supplier Dow and other companies along the value chain to find the most suitable resin formulation for this solution. The result is an extruded film printed on and converted into a bag.
Providing the same high level of protection as the previous alternative, the solution prevents moisture and light from damaging the feminine care range, has strong sealing properties and delivers outstanding print quality to maintain on-shelf appeal for Essity’s European recognised brands, such as Bodyform, Libresse, Nana and Nuvenia.
“The challenge was to find the best combination of renewable and recycled content that maintains product quality and the production efficiency already enjoyed by Essity. We tested several options until we found the most suitable solution. Working in collaboration with Essity and Dow validates our EcoSolutions approach, we go back to the start and ask the right questions to ensure we create the best possible solution for our customers,” says Marjo Kuisma regional sales consumer Flexibles, Mondi.
Guosheng Zhang, global technical innovation manager of Feminine Care, says, “We are excited to launch the new feminine care packaging with a reduced carbon footprint which will contribute to our sustainable innovations. The solution demonstrates our and Mondi’s commitment to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – to work towards full recyclability and increase the use of recycled plastic in our packaging. The result is eye-catching, well designed and positively impacts the environment.”
