Pet Food Packaging: The Market Shift Towards All-Polyethylene Sealant Film Structures
Innovative mono-material packaging is offering sustainability and performance benefits within an industry poised for change.
The Changing Landscape
The packaging industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by sustainability demands, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements. One major trend is the shift towards mono-material, all-polyethylene (PE) structures.
The pet food industry, in particular, has begun to evolve the way it packages its products. In 2022, the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), a non-profit organization, launched its own mission designed around urging businesses to adopt packaging materials with that support a circular economy. Leaders within the pet space heard this call and have been increasingly implementing and executing against their own respective goals that align with the PSC’s vision. Sustainability aside, these mono-structures also address other key packaging needs of converters and the ultimate brand owner.
Holistic Benefits of Monostructures: Sustainability & Performance
Mono-material applications, such as stand-up pouches (SUP), can be fully recyclable. That means they have the critical potential to support landfill waste diversion and ultimately a circular system designed around the reusability of materials within the supply chain.
In addition to recyclability, pet companies are leveraging mono-material packaging complemented by post-consumer recycled content (PCR), and in refillable or compostable forms which further support sustainability. This shift is a first step in the right direction as manufacturers – not just within the pet industry – look to reduce their impact on the environment.
With the increased adoption of mono-material structures, this has also compelled film manufacturers to innovate with various additives to ensure packaging performance matches or exceeds the mixed materials historically used within the pet space. Mono-structures are being engineered with moisture and oxygen barrier properties, utilizing ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH), without sacrificing recyclability. Performance catalysts, such as metallocene, are being additionally incorporated to improve upon other mechanical properties that are ideal for pet applications, including: puncture resistance, stiffness, and sealability.
Industry Collaboration Is Key
As this market continues to shift, it is imperative for pet industry converters and brand owners to strategically partner with film manufacturers to ensure the best possible packaging is produced – not only for customers, but the environment.
Pregis Performance Flexibles is uniquely positioned to support this transition. The Pregis Renew™ line of solutions offers high-quality, store drop-off recyclable barrier and non-barrier films (How2Recycle pre-qualified) optimized for all-PE structure packaging. To learn more about Pregis films, capabilities and expertise, click here.
