PERPETUA ALTA: Constantia Flexibles introduces recycle-ready laminate with improved chemical resistance

The world’s third-largest flexible packaging manufacturer launches the first ready-to-be-recycled mono-material based on polypropylene (PP) with high chemical resistance for pharmaceutical products.

“We highlight the need for more sustainable packaging in the pharmaceutical packaging business with our innovation PERPETUA ALTA,” states Joerg Adrian, Vice President Technical Organization & Innovation Pharma of Constantia Fley-to-be-recycled solution. Although designed for highly aggressive pharma products, PERPETUA ALTA may also find applications in other market segments requiring high chemical resistance, e.g., food applications,” added Joerg Adrian. On top, third-party certification from the German Institute cyclos-HTP confirms the material recovery of up to 96%, depending on the final material configuration.

Performance: high chemical resistance

Traditional multilayer packaging for pharmaceutical products is not recyclable due to combination of different materials. Alternatives, such as recyclable mono-polyethylene or mono-polypropylene laminates, fulfill the recyclability factor but do not provide the required performance with respect to chemical resistance. “It was a challenge. Our R&D and product management team worked hard to get where we are today: a full polypropylene recyclable solution with high chemical resistance (HCR) towards aggressive filling goods,” explained Roberto Martin, Head of Innovation Laminates at Constantia Flexibles’ plant in Logroño, Spain. PERPETUA ALTA can withstand, e.g., hydro-alcoholic gel under accelerated aging conditions, similar to aluminum-containing multi-material laminates compliant with HCR requirements. Compared to a conventional laminate solution, this innovative laminate offers optimal product protection from oxygen, water vapor, and light at a reduced weight and increased yield. PERPETUA ALTA is a drop-in solution for existing packaging formats based on laminates like stick packs, sachets, and strip packs. Important for the production: The packaging machines do not have to be replaced, the existing equipment can be used.

Constantia Flexibles is the world’s third-largest producer of flexible packaging. Based on the guiding principle of ‘People, Passion, Packaging’, 8,551 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 37 sites in 16 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the consumer and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products. Sustainability is a top priority at Constantia Flexibles: the company was rated Level A by Climate Change Leadership (CDP) and Gold by EcoVadis in 2022. www.cflex.com