Spartech Corporation, a leader in the development of sustainable, innovative packaging technologies, has developed EnviroAirTM, a new technology which reduces the weight of monolayer and co-extruded rigid plastic sheet and rollstock. EnviroAirTM helps improve sustainability while providing a yield advantage in thermoformed and converted products. Spartech will be highlighting this new technology along with other innovative packaging solutions, here at Pack Expo 2009 in booth S5603.
"EnviroAirTM is Spartech's expanded materials technology in which we modify the cellular structure of rigid packaging materials," explained Jonathan Cage, director of Packaging Development. "This enables us to produce sheet and rollstock similar in structural rigidity and dimensions as solid material, but with 10 to 50 percent reduced density. By reducing material density in thermoformed products and extruded sheet, we increase yield while meeting specific application performance requirements."
EnviroAirTM technology can be used in a wide variety of packaging applications including thermoformed products, extruded sheet, form-fill and seal rollstock, mandrel-formed containers and graphic arts. Use of this technology is currently being evaluated for food, medical and consumer packaging applications.
"EnviroAirTM is further evidence of Spartech's commitment to develop innovative packaging solutions that provide unique benefits to our customers while increasing the sustainability of our products," said Cage.
EnviroAirTM offers unique advantages over competing technologies. The technology can be applied to a wide range of rigid packaging materials, targeting mono-layer, co-extruded and laminated products.
"EnviroAirTM gives us the ability to extrude materials requiring less energy to thermoform, one that is lighter in weight and exhibits improved thermal insulation. Less use of hydrocarbon-based materials improves product sustainability, and this technology allows full use of regrind so the end product is fully recyclable," said Cage.