Dow, RB and Drukpol develop recyclable Finish pouch

The successful industry collaboration between Dow, brand owner RB and converter Drukpol has led to the development of a new resealable pouch designed for recyclability and end-of-life disposal into existing recycling streams. Created using Dow’s mono-material polyethylene film, the stand-up pouches were designed for RB’s Finish dishwasher detergent perfume-free green line.

“The innovative mono-material pouch is yet another example of the power of collaboration and how, by working together, we can ensure plastic packaging plays its part in the circular economy,” commented Karin Katzer, End Use Marketing Director at Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics business. “Through our solutions designed for recyclability and Pack Studios network, we are helping brands to move to the circular economy and deliver on their sustainability commitments.”

Dow, Drukpol, and RB collaborated to overcome the challenge of creating a mono-material, PE-films based packaging that can be produced on existing equipment and enable extra functionalities like zippers, easy opening, and the right mix of stiffness and flexibility. The development team was able to meet this challenge through Dow’s suite of innovative technologies including AFFINITY™ 1881 Sealants, DOWLEX™ 2750 ST, DOWLEX™ 2006G and AGILITY™ 7220.

“RB is committed to reducing, reusing and recycling materials and we constantly search for solutions to address plastic waste and believe that plastic packaging designed for recyclability is the way forward,” said Krzysztof Krajewski, Head of Packaging Innovation at RB. “With this innovative mono-material pouch, we are able to offer consumers easy to use packaging and enhanced features. Our new packaging is supported by existing recycling infrastructures and because the packing is lighter in weight, we are also able to reduce transportation costs and emissions.”

Drukpol contributed to the innovation with their converting expertise, supporting RB with assistance required to their packaging lines.

“We are excited about the outcome of the collaboration with Dow and RB in converting this solution and look forward to continue working together to help the industry close the loop,” said Kamil Ziemak, Vice President at Drukpol Flexo. “The packaging is designed for recyclability while also creating a high-quality customer experience with respect to properties like look, feel and ease-of-use.”

The new packaging was pilot tested with a 0% perfume-free green line of Finish dishwasher detergent in German retailers and online through Amazon and received 4+ star consumer feedback on product features and quality.

Explore this solution at K 2019
Dow will be attending K 2019, the world’s premier conference for the plastics and rubber industry. Running from 16-23 October in Düsseldorf, Germany, this event will gather the most influential and creative suppliers of machinery, parts and products under one roof. It’s the ideal place for you to ask challenging questions, forge new relationships and start collaborations that will help transform businesses and society. We’ll be there to listen, learn, discuss and be inspired: www.dow.com/k2019

About Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics
Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP), a business unit of Dow (NYSE: DOW), combines core strengths of R&D, worldwide reach, broad product lines and industry expertise to deliver high performing technologies for end use markets in food packaging, personal hygiene, infrastructure, consumer goods and transportation. P&SP is one of the world’s largest producers of polyethylene resins, functional polymers, and adhesives, and is a leading innovator and collaborator across the value chain on sustainable application development and circular economy life-cycle design for plastics. www.dow.com/packaging

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines one of the broadest technology sets in the industry with asset integration, focused innovation and global scale to achieve profitable growth and become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of performance materials, industrial intermediates and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for our customers in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 113 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,000 people. Dow delivered pro forma sales of approximately $50 billion in 2018. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.