Rosenflex is the main agent for RKW, one of the leading international manufacturers of high-quality plastic films and non-wovens for the hygiene and medical field, converting, industrial and consumer packaging as well as for the agricultural and construction sectors. For almost 60 years, the RKW Group has been setting standards in terms of quality, innovation, and service from which Rosenflex’s local and global customers benefit.
Robin Reid, Managing Director of Rosenflex adds “We see this as a significant improvement for our customers in a technological and environmental developing world. It enhances our wish to be seen as a forerunner in bringing these positive advances to our customers and in everyday use. By utilising our experience, knowledge and know-how around the packaging process our customers will benefit by having additional USP’s that can only be positive for their products and businesses too.
We see this as a win-win for everyone involved.”
RKWs latest development is a new formulation for FFS packaging (Form, Fill and Seal) that consists of more than 50 percent “green” polymers, produced in response to the specific requirements of its customer Braskem. Compared to conventional FFS films, this new solution offers substantial environmental benefits in terms of lower carbon emissions whilst still achieving the same technical performance characteristics. In September 2015, RKW began delivering “green” FFS films to the German Braskem sites in Schkopau and Wesseling.
The world market for bioplastic materials is growing rapidly as industries and end consumers are looking for sustainable products that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Brazilian chemical company Braskem is a major player in the bioplastics market and is pioneering the production of Green Polyethylene (PE) – a thermoplastic resin made from sugarcane-based ethanol instead of crude oil. Sugarcane is a renewable and carbon dioxide depleting resource and it absorbs CO2 whilst growing. Braskem conducted a unique study in partnership with its suppliers to assess the environmental impact of the Green Polyethylene – I’m green™. The results of the life cycle analysis study from cradle to Braskem’s gate indicate that the biopolymer made from ethanol captures 2.15 metric tons of CO2 for every metric ton of green plastic produced. Additionally, Green PE is 100 percent recyclable in existing streams. As a viable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel derived materials, Green PE combines high performance and excellent process-ability.
RKW has been providing Braskem with films for years. The new “green” FFS films are manufactured at the RKW site in Echte and can be processed as tubes or flat films off the role on all standard FFS machines for various packaging configurations. Braskem partnered with RKW to develop Green PE with 50% Green polymers in its make up for a more climate-friendly solution for FFS films. “Braskem is committed to increase sustainability along the production chains by providing bio-based materials”, says Srivatsan Lyer – CEO & General Manager, Braskem Europe GmbH. “Since RKW is a flexible partner that’s always open to new ideas, we asked for a new formulation for FFS films with a high content of Green Polymers. RKW could rely on its technical expertise to come up with a sustainable packaging solution that meets our requirements completely.”
Johannes Heintges, VO Operations Packaging at RKW SE explained “The challenge was to formulate a product that is composed of more than 50 percent Green Polymers and, at the same time, offering the same technical features as the traditional FFS films. “Usually, you have a construction kit of approximately ten components that can be combined. In this case, the share of “green” polymers was explicitly predefine
