Development of recyclable packaging

The Fraunhofer IVV – Developing a better future

Our work encompasses five business fields: Food, Packaging, Product Performance, Processing Machinery, and Recycling and Environment. We not only tackle current challenges but also devote our attention to topics of the future such as the bioeconomy, circular economy, and digitalization.

Our expertise in the development of packaging materials and the recycling of plastics and laminates helps our customers commercialize packaging with high recyclability. This development work not only focuses on all requirements relating to product safety but also considers environmental and sustainability aspects.

We advise our customers on the modification of formulations and process parameters in connection with the challenge of incorporating recyclates into, for example, packaging materials for technical applications. The behavior of packaging materials in machine packaging processes is a key aspect. We evaluate the machinability, thermoforming properties, and sealing behavior of new, flexible, packaging materials. We provide customers with advice about any changed process windows and assist with solving associated matters.

We identify recycling-friendly packaging materials specifically adapted to the relevant products. In order to optimize food packaging we use shelf-life modeling. These simulations enable us to determine what environmentally advantageous packaging system offers the longest shelf-life for a specific food product.

In our packaging pilot plant we are able to carry out sample production on a pre-industrial scale. Testing with respect to compliance, sensory properties, and mechanical attributes can be carried out at the Fraunhofer IVV as can evaluation of easy opening behavior.

In collaboration with our customers we develop product packaging containing a high quantity of recycled material in order to reduce the obligation to participate in dual waste management systems. We also demonstrate what products and product groups have the greatest potential for the utilization of recyclates.