Renewable polypropylene, confirmed as eco-friendly, incorporated in the packaging of contact lenses.
In a significant step towards sustainable plastic production, Vioneo and Lummus Technology have announced the opening of the world's first industrial-scale fossil-free plastic production complex in Antwerp, Belgium. This complex, based on Novolen polypropylene technology and green methanol as feedstock, is set to revolutionise the plastic industry.
The collaboration supports CooperVision's 'Plastic Made Better' program, where the company aims to increase its use of ISCC Plus-certified plastics. The new complex is expected to reach a capacity of 200KTA, aligning with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation's recyclability requirements while maintaining contact safety and product performance.
The renewable polypropylene used in the complex is derived from feedstock like sunflower and rapeseed oils. According to a Life Cycle Analysis, using the renewable polypropylene reduces 2.3 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of polypropylene when compared to the company's fossil-based equivalent.
TotalEnergies, a partner in this venture, believes that this collaboration demonstrates their support for CooperVision's sustainability ambitions. Aldo Zucaro, senior director at CooperCompanies, mentioned that this collaboration allows CooperVision's customers and patients to participate in their sustainability journey by choosing participating CooperVision contact lenses.
Henkel, another partner, believes that the plastic based on renewable raw materials will save over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The plant will use 100% segregated green propylene and ethylene as feedstock to produce a range of polypropylene grades. Henkel's cleaning balls and cages for European Bref toilet rim blocks already utilize mass-balanced materials partially based on renewable raw materials.
Separately, SÜDPACK Medica unveiled a mono-polypropylene blister solution for dietary supplement packaging, further emphasising the industry's shift towards sustainable plastic solutions. This approach is expected to improve CooperVision's packaging's environmental footprint without impacting its performance or requiring major redesigns.
TotalEnergies and CooperVision have integrated ISCC Plus-certified renewable polypropylene into some of their contact lens blister packs. This integration is in line with CooperVision's commitment to using more sustainable materials in their products.
The Antwerp complex marks the production of fossil-free plastics on an industrial scale, a significant milestone in the plastic industry's journey towards sustainability.
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