- Dow in Brazil
In May 2011, Dow introduced a pioneering solution for more sustainable packaging to the Brazilian market: 100% Polyethylene Stand Up Pouches (100% PE SUP). This is a flexible option that can stand on its own and introduces a new category to the market, whose structure is completely made of polyethylene and can replace multi-material SUPs. The main advantage of this innovation is its recyclability, which benefits consumers and the environment.
Marketing and Sustainability Differential
SUPs are being used more often because they represent a competitive advantage to brands by increasing their visibility at points of sale, since products can be standing on store shelves. Currently, most multi-material SUPs are made of a combination of PET and PE, which makes them harder to recycle after consumption and during the manufacturing process. Another issue is that consumption growth also leads to increased amount of solid waste to be disposed.
Considering this scenario, our challenge was to find a more sustainable solution considering the packaging life cycle as a whole. The idea was to create resins that would allow us to make stand-up pouches with the same characteristics of the multi-material SUPs, but were developed with a single type of material, encouraging reuse during production and after consumption. The new product is made of a single ingredient―polyethylene―and is easily recognized by consumers and waste sorters, increasing its recyclability.
The Dow team created this solution that uses up to 10% less raw material and energy than multi-material SUPs. If we consider only the use of raw materials, the carbon footprint (greenhouse gases emissions) of 100% PE SUPs is 5% to 15% lower than that of multi-material SUPs. Compared to other rigid packaging, the reduction achieved with 100% PE SUP is between 50% and 80%―a significant reduction in environmental terms. Within transformers―industries that buy Dow resins and manufacture packaging materials―it is estimated that up to 5% of material is lost during the production process. With this new feature, the reuse of the material will be simpler and more efficient.
Dow also intends to position itself in order to help consumers identify the product that offers a sustainability differential, encouraging a behavior change.
SUPs have been patented by Dow, in an effort to reinforce our commitment to bring innovative solutions to the market through sustainable chemistry.