VIENNA, AUSTRIA — On June 21, Mondi Group announced its mono-material pouches are proven to be successfully recyclable, as vetted by the National Test Center Circular Plastics (NTCP) in the Netherlands. According to Mondi, testing showed that the polypropylene (PP) pouches can be sorted into the correct recycling streams, decreasing waste.

Mondi partnered with the NTCP to conduct testing using real life scenarios. The tests were developed to investigate the sortability of Mondi’s mono-material PP pouches, including its pre-made retort and standard pouches, spouted pouches, and other tray packaging materials. The tests revealed that Mondi’s pre-made pouches were detected and sorted accurately in recycling streams.

“We conduct independent tests and experiments that contribute to closing the plastics cycle,” said Marcel van Eijk, manager at NTCP. “By replicating real life situations for Mondi, we were able to thoroughly assess the sortability of its packaging products. We could prove that top-web and tray combinations can be recognized in different sorting streams and Mondi’s stand-up pouches support sorting strategies that need to be developed and implemented at larger scale.”

The mono-material pouches originally launched in October 2021 and are used in applications that require high-barrier protection, including wet pet food and processed meat products.

“The outcome of the tests show that our mono-material PP packaging is recognized and categorized into the correct sorting stream in advanced waste management facilities,” said Thomas Kahl, channel manager of FMCG and Industrial at Mondi Flexible Packaging. “We are particularly proud that we also succeeded for demanding applications such as retort wet pet food pouches.”

The tests are a part of Mondi’s MAP2030 sustainability program, which is committed to driving circular solutions, developing innovative packaging and paper solutions, and preventing packaging waste. The company has pledged to make its packaging and paper solutions completely reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

To meet its goals and help drive sustainability throughout its supply chain, Mondi has partnered with CEFLEX and 4evergreen to develop sustainable packaging.

With the success of accurate recycling, Mondi has set the standard for recycling streams for plastic packaging, supporting high-quality input for plastic recycling processes. But, according to the company, more development of plastic sorting streams in Europe is needed.

“To achieve the plastic recycling targets defined in the revised ‘Packaging and Paper Waste Directive,’ the sorting and recycling of plastic waste must be significantly improved,” Kahl said. “As a market leader we are strongly committed to contribute to this target by testing the sorting performance for our packaging.”

Read more about packaging solutions and trends for pet food and treats.