Technipaq Inc., a manufacturer of flexible sterilizable packaging and an authorized converter of Tyvek, is partnering with DuPont Tyvek and recycling partner Freepoint Eco-Systems to recycle the plastic waste it generates during package manufacturing.

Beginning on World Cleanup Day (Sept. 18, 2021) at its Crystal Lake, IL, facility, Technipaq will be able to divert its mixed material plastic waste stream containing Tyvek and other plastic waste generated during healthcare packaging manufacturing away from landfills and to Freepoint, where it will be recycled for use in the production of new ‘virgin-quality’ plastics and fuels, Technipaq reported in a news release.

“DuPont Tyvek has consistently taken a leadership role in forging interdisciplinary partnerships within the global healthcare packaging and manufacturing value chain, which is an increasingly important topic for our industry as we collectively seek to achieve more sustainable solutions and create a circular economy,” said Brian Rosenburg, President and CEO, Technipaq, in the news release. “We are excited and honored to play such a major role in helping make this a reality.”

Added John Richard, Vice President, DuPont Safety: “This represents yet another great multi-stakeholder partnership designed to build a waste-free, ‘closed loop’ healthcare packaging manufacturing environment. The healthcare industry requires a broad spectrum of plastics to manufacture packaging solutions for medical device, diagnostic and pharmaceutical products. Recyclability of healthcare packaging manufacturing waste is an increasingly important topic for the industry as it seeks to achieve sustainable solutions and a circular economy. Bringing a market leader such as Technipaq into this initiative marks a significant, positive step forward for our industry overall,” added Richard.

Freepoint aims to divert 170 million pounds of plastic waste from landfills at each of its facilities on an annual basis, according to the release. Kat Doerr, vice president of origination for Freepoint Eco-Systems, explained that “Freepoint intends to recycle waste plastic that is usually very challenging to recycle and is typically headed for landfill or incineration. By converting plastic waste into reusable products, less oil is required to be extracted from the ground. This results in a more sustainable economy and a healthier planet.”

Technipaq is an ISO 13485 certified manufacturer specializing in coating, laminating, printing, slitting, sheeting, die-cutting, and fabricating flexible sterilizable packaging solutions for the medical device, diagnostic, life science, and pharmaceutical industries. It converts Tyvek, foils, films, and surgical papers into high-barrier ETO-, radiation-, and autoclave-compatible packaging. Technipaq will be exhibiting at MD&M Minneapolis Booth #2021 November 3-4.

Earlier this year DuPont shared its own sustainability plans in a report published in time for World Environment Day on June 5. Technipaq pointed out in its release that Tyvek is mainly made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is certified 100% recyclable, making it compatible with existing and emerging (advanced) recycling techniques. It is also suitable for creating mono-material structures that meet the sustainable design guidelines established by Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, CEFLEX, and RecyClass, Technipaq stated.

Article source: Qmed and MD+DI