Constantia Flexibles wins Green Packaging Star Award for cutting-edge mono-material packaging

Vienna, September 29, 2023

Constantia Flexibles scoops the Green Packaging Star Award for its mono-material packaging solution EcoLamHighPlus. The pioneering packaging solution from the Viennese packaging manufacturer is recyclable and has a high oxygen and water vapour barrier that is even comparable to multi-material solutions.

When it comes to packaging, sustainability and product safety often do not go hand in hand. That is why Constantia Flexibles is continuously investing in the development of environmentally friendly, recyclable materials that also provide maximum protection for the packaged goods. Mono-material solutions are the perfect way to combine the two, as they are easy and cost-effective to recycle (circular economy) and can also provide a high barrier function when processed professionally. With EcoLamHighPlus, the packaging company has developed a mono-material laminate that is not only recyclable but also has a barrier function comparable to multi-material laminates. For this innovation, Constantia Flexibles received the Green Packaging Star Award yesterday at the award event.

EcoLamHighPlus: The mono-material superstar

The mono-material packaging solution has a particularly high barrier to oxygen and water vapor, close to that of a PE-PET-aluminum (triplex) composite. This makes it a perfect fit as a sustainable alternative for various applications such as packaging for wet wipes, nuts, baby food, fruit juices, and coffee. Constantia Flexibles chose PE as the laminate base because it can be recycled in a well-established recycling stream and there is already a market for recycled material (PCR). It therefore remains part of the circular economy. To demonstrate recyclability, the laminate was certified according to the RecyClass validation process.

The Green Packaging Star Award

Launched in 2008, the Green Packaging Star Award is presented annually by Kompack magazine and the Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry. It recognizes companies for their sustainable packaging solutions and improved packaging processes. The best environmentally friendly products, corporate philosophies and production processes in the packaging industry are honored in four categories. By winning the Green Packaging Star Award, Constantia Flexibles also qualified for the WorldStar Award, presented by the World Packaging Organization (WPO).

"Sustainability is the core value that guides us in everything we do. We realized very early on that in the long run, multi-material laminates would have to be replaced by mono-material laminates to facilitate a circular economy. With EcoLamHighPlus, we have succeeded in developing a mono-material solution that meets all our customers' requirements," says Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles. "We are particularly proud to receive the Green Packaging Star Award for this innovative packaging solution. It is an important contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of everyday consumer purchases," says Vervaat.

Constantia Flexibles is the world’s third largest producer of flexible packaging. Based on the guiding principle of ‘People, Passion, Packaging’, 7,650 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 30 sites in 16 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the consumer and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products. Sustainability is a top priority at Constantia Flexibles: the company was rated Level A- by Climate Change Leadership (CDP) and Gold by EcoVadis in 2022. www.cflex.com