CEFLEX partners with eminent European Associations to deliver guidelines on flexible packaging with aluminium foil

CEFLEX, a collaborative initiative of 180 European companies representing the entire value chain of flexible packaging, has teamed up with European Foil Association and Flexible Packaging Europe to outline guidelines on flexible packaging containing aluminium foil.

The manual will address critical questions on the sortability and recyclability of flexible packaging having aluminium foil, explaining technical capabilities of eddy current separation, aluminium recycling pyrolysis pathway, and advanced separation technologies.

CEFLEX coordinator Graham Houlder said: “While plastic-based flexible packaging applications are predominant and an important focus, CEFLEX has always been material-neutral; working to analyse and achieve the best technical and environmental outcomes for all flexible packaging. This includes structures containing aluminium foil, and we are delighted to be addressing this important element with key organisations and players from across the value chain.”

Guido Aufdemkamp, executive director of the European Aluminium Foil Association, added: “Flexible packaging containing aluminium foil is particularly valuable in lightweight, high-preservation packs often found in dairy, dry-food, pharmaceutical, pet food and more. Working with a large number of stakeholders across the value chain and informed by cutting-edge testing results is an inspiring starting point for the ‘Designing for a Circular Economy’ aluminium foil containing guidelines. We are confident they will further accelerate and pinpoint innovation and progress being made to improve the design, collection, sorting and recycling of this packaging format and boost its circular credentials.”

The guidelines, expected to release in the summer of 2023, will be developed, refined and validated by a range of stakeholders.