Future of efficient Bio-PE
Currently, Essity's packaging is made from post-consumer recycled material (PCR) and partly from bio-polyethylene. However, bio-PE is currently still very cost-intensive and scarce in procurement. Therefore, this challenge is looking for alternative feedstock or materials for the bio-PE share, which are sustainable, recyclable and industrially feasible.
#flexiblePEsolutions #BiofeedstockforPE
✅ Completed 🏁 Winner Congratulations to Team AmarSource!
🏆 Prize 🌎 Scope International - open to participants from all over the world
Did we spark your interest?
Read more about the specific challenge and how YOU can help Essity on their journey to sustainable packaging solutions.
Future of efficient Bio-Polyethylene
Plastic packaging remains high on Essity's agenda at the corporate level to meet packaging targets and customer commitments. To meet these commitments, a balance between recycled and renewable material is required. In this regard, mechanically recycled PCR (post-consumer recycled) is currently used in combination with PE from renewable bio feedstocks to produce polyethylene films. Due to technical and optical limitations, only a share of about 60% of the PCR can be used, so the remaining 40% must be filled up by another recyclable material. Furthermore, the use of bio-PE is currently still very cost-intensive and not especially efficient.
Therefore, Essity is looking for solutions for alternative feedstocks or materials and purchase procedures to achieve a more cost-efficient use of the bio-PE.
Information on the Challenge
The implementation of new low CO2 processes or technologies for the circular economy in terms of business profitability is still suboptimal nowadays. The challenge of using currently known bio-PE materials is that renewable bio resources for PE are currently limited and highly cost-intensive.
The current available feedstocks consist of high carbon waste or plants (i.e., tall oil, cooking oil, sugar cane, etc.). A possible and industrially feasible solution will lead to alternative resources for bio-PE, which will facilitate access to circular and recyclable PE material.
Therefore, the Challenge’s goal is to identify specific engineered material solutions that would allow 90-100% "good plastic" to be used. Good plastic should outperform fossil PE in terms of CO2 or circularity. The complete solution should be a combination of different materials and technologies that provide a complete packaging solution. The material must meet current packaging targets (e.g., recyclability) and meet Essity's sustainability requirements (renewable or recycled and recyclable flexible PE material).
Key Questions
- What alternative resources for current renewable Bio-PE are viable?
- How can current renewable PE resources be obtained in a cost-effective way? (e.g., through semi-finished products, industrial waste).
- What are alternative processes for obtaining carbon-rich waste or used materials?
More Information on the challenge's requirements can be found in the tab 'Important Details' as well as 'Submission'