Plastics properties for packaging materials

doi:10.1533/9780857095701.2.287

Packaging Technology

Fundamentals, Materials and Processes

2012, Pages 287-309

https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857095701.2.287 Get rights and content

Abstract:

This chapter presents a review of the properties and uses of the common packaging plastics, and some of the materials used for specialist applications.

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Measuring the circularity potential of recycled LDPE based on quantity and quality conservation - a functional requirement matrix approach
2023, Resources, Conservation and Recycling Advances
Citation Excerpt :
For instance, the strength of the seal is determined by the heat-sealing process, and the heat sealing process is, in turn, influenced, by certain physical properties of the material, such as, the melting temperature of the plastic (Mirams, 2017) or its level of contamination (impurities) (Dudbridge and Turner, 2009). To prevent the film from tearing or deforming during the handling processes, a good resistance to deformation is important (Emblem, 2012), which can be indicated via surface friction. Aesthetic and miscellaneous requirements, such as, product transparency or the absence of pinholes, are usually defined from the standpoint of marketing to make the product more attractive to the customer (Emblem, 2012), but can also hinder processability.
The Plastics Strategy passed by the European Union aims to ensure the reuse of ten million tons of recycled plastics in products by 2025. Discussions on how to achieve this target are usually mass-driven focusing on recycling quotas but neglecting quality targets. However, the circular economy aims to preserve resources at their highest possible value focusing on both mass and quality conservation, to close material loops in the long term. Therefore, changes in physical properties of recycled plastics compared to virgin plastics should be addressed, but measuring quality is a complex task. This article introduces a functional requirement matrix approach to assess mass and quality conservation using an indicator called circularity potential based on physical properties. The indicator is demonstrated in a case study on a non-food pouch made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Two samples from mechanical and dissolution recycling were examined in a laboratory and compared to virgin LDPE. We built on existing studies, but further introduced thermal and aesthetic requirements as well as established weighting and compliance parameters to address the complexity of quality conservation. The exemplary case study shows a circularity potential of 49% for recycled LDPE from dissolution recycling and 30% for mechanically recycled LDPE Mass and quality conservation are higher for dissolution than for mechanical recycling, but also rely on different waste streams that offer future research need. Further sensitivity analysis demonstrated the significance of weighting and compliance parameters. The provided approach is configurable for specific product applications and applicable in the context of life cycle assessments.
State-of-the-Art Nanoclay Reinforcement in Green Polymeric Nanocomposite: From Design to New Opportunities
2022, Minerals

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13 - Plastics properties for packaging materials

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