Zotefoams, a leading manufacturer of cellular materials, has recently received recognition for its innovative ReZorce barrier material used in beverage cartons. The company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has been highlighted through its win in the Sustainability (Overall Concept) category of the prestigious German Packaging Award.
The judges were impressed by the unique properties of ReZorce, which is made of mono-material HDPE using patented technology to create a barrier layer during extrusion. This barrier allows for the use of 30-70% mechanically recycled HDPE, reducing environmental impacts such as water and energy consumption by around 50% compared to conventional composite beverage cartons. The judges praised ReZorce for its significant contribution to sustainability in the packaging industry.
Oliver Berndt, head of organisation of the German Packaging Award, emphasized the importance of innovation and improvement in packaging to meet customer requirements while enhancing efficiency, safety, ecology, value for money, branding, and convenience. The recognition of ReZorce at the German Packaging Award reflects the ongoing evolution of packaging solutions towards more sustainable practices.
In addition to the German Packaging Award, ReZorce has been shortlisted in the Product Innovation Award category at the Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024. This further underscores the industry recognition of Zotefoams‘ commitment to developing environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
ReZorce beverage cartons, developed in collaboration with Refresco, offer performance comparable to standard composite liquid packaging board cartons while significantly reducing environmental impact. The packaging is designed to be compatible with existing infrastructure in packaging technology, waste collection, and sorting, making it easy for retailers, brand owners, manufacturers, and consumers to adopt.
Zotefoams and Refresco are planning in-market trials of ReZorce for a major European retailer in the near future, with the goal of full commercialization. Neil Court-Johnston, president of Zotefoams‘ MuCell Extrusion business unit, expressed his team’s dedication to developing a sustainable, circular beverage carton as an alternative to traditional composite materials. The recognition from the German Packaging Award validates their efforts in achieving circularity in consumer packaging.
The German Packaging Award is a highly regarded international competition that honors innovative and creative packaging ideas. The award ceremony, where the Gold Award winners will be announced, is scheduled to take place at Fachpack on 24 September 2024. Zotefoams‘ success at the German Packaging Award underscores its leadership in sustainable packaging solutions and its commitment to driving positive change in the industry.