INDEVCO Plastics debuts 50 percent postconsumer recycled shrink wrap for beverage packaging

INDEVCO Plastics has innovated print-grade shrink bundling film for multi-packs that delivers a circular plastics solution. Using 50% postconsumer recycled (PCR) resin, the collation shrink is fully recyclable at store drop off locations across the US. Plastic shrink wrapping is not a super common packaging format for craft breweries, but some brands, like Oskar Blues, have tried it.

INDEVCO Plastics co-developed the film with Dow, a fellow member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, for food and beverage manufacturers who bundle products in multiunit packages. Dow’s PCR resin, first introduced for shrink applications in North America in October, contains 70% certified PCR sourced from a reliable local US supply.

“In our partnership with Dow,” explained Wayne Mashe, INDEVCO Plastics Divisional General Manager, “we focused on the right resin selection, film thickness, and impact on the waste stream. The result is a high-performing collation shrink that not only meets the market requirements but also uses half the virgin resins and can be recycled and repurposed into other products.”

The low-gauge, high-strength collation shrink film – available as plain or print-ready rolls – passed an array of tests for mechanical, optical, and processing properties. The unprinted film is devoid of ink, allowing the package design of products within to advertise themselves, or the film can be printed by packaging converters.

“The 50% recycled content allows us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production and helps our customer’s customer, the consumer, keep waste out of landfills and the environment,” noted Jay Bodine, INDEVCO Plastics Plant Manager. “Both of these help our customers contribute to a circular economy.”

In addition to PCR, INDEVCO Plastics can produce shrink bundling film using postindustrial recycled (PIR) resin from its own waste stream.