Borealis and Bockatech have partnered to combine Bockatech EcoCore technology with Borealis material grades to produce lightweight foam injection moulding solutions. This new material and technology partnership will advance the circular economy by developing low-cost, high performance, reusable, and recyclable foam injection moulding solutions. The open-innovation agreement will accelerate the development of Bockatech’s technology, broadening the platform so that it can be licensed to more manufacturing partners in a variety of markets for multiple applications. Market demand for reusable and more easily recyclable replacement solutions is rising, as the number of bans on single-use plastics continues to grow, particularly in the food and beverage industries. The patented EcoCore solution, in combination with Borealis grades BH381MO and Daploy WB140HMS, is an eco-friendly way to produce high-performance packaging that is reusable and recyclable. Foamed mouldings that use EcoCore require less material and have faster cycle times to reduce material costs, energy use and environmental impact. Reusable and recyclable end products made using EcoCore feature high strength and a smooth surface finish ready for printing and the foam core also offers excellent insulation and is ultra-lightweight. Due to its high strength, the material is suitable for deposit return schemes that have been proven to deliver material recovery rates of up to 94 per cent and reduce the likelihood of plastics entering the marine environment. “We’re delighted to have found in Borealis a partner who shares our commitment to developing new solutions for innovative packaging with reduced environmental impact,” said Chris Bocking, CEO and founder of Bockatech. “Combining our EcoCore technology with Borealis materials and expertise in foam will produce viable new applications which offer significant benefits for businesses, consumers and the environment.”
Austrian polyethylene and polypropylene producer Borealis and UK start-up Bockatech are to produce high-performance recyclable and reusable plastic packaging. The new packaging will be made from a combination of polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polyester resin and other materials.