Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX:AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, has partnered with Fedrigoni - a global reference in the manufacturing of specialty papers for packaging and other creative applications, self-adhesive labels, graphic media, and RFID - to develop a flexible packaging solution for wet wipe application, that is recycle-ready.
The combination of Amcor’s AmPrima® Plus flow wrap and Fedrigoni’s semi-rigid label has produced a wet wipe pack that is recycle-ready in its entirety, and can be recycled in PE recycling streams across Europe.
This collaboration marks a significant breakthrough for the home and personal care industry. It accelerates the sector’s transition to recycle-ready packaging in line with regulations such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to reduce packaging waste and make all packaging on the EU market recyclable by 2030.
The mono-material solution from Amcor and Fedrigoni unlocks advantages for brands, including potential savings in EPR fees, reduced plastic usage, and a reduction in their packaging’s carbon footprint.
The flow wrap plus PE based semi-rigid label offers excellent functionality and wipe performance throughout the lifetime of the pack. The new wet wipe packaging solution has been certified as recyclable by Recyclass and cyclos-HTP.
Additionally, Amcor’s AmPrima® Plus flow wrap solution can incorporate Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content, paving the way for greater PCR integration ahead of the 2030 PPWR mandate, which will require plastic packaging to contain a minimum percentage of recycled content.
The unique composition of the AmPrima® Plus wet wipe pack, combined with a patented semi-rigid label from Fedrigoni, allows brands to cut the weight of their packaging by up to 15% when compared to traditional, multi-material packs[1] with a rigid label. The new pack has a lower carbon footprint by up to 55%[2], as calculated by Amcor’s ASSET life cycle assessment methodology, which is certified by The Carbon Trust. The solution’s weight-optimised design also helps brands save on EPR fees, with a reduction of up to 35%[3].
Geoffrey Gendebien, Marketing Manager, Home & Personal Care at Amcor says: “Innovation requires cooperation and collaboration. By combining the AmPrima® wet wipe flow wrap with Fedrigoni’s semi-rigid label, Amcor and Fedrigoni have achieved something special – a complete pack that is designed for recycling in the PE recycling stream.”
Federico Lanzi, Marketing and R&D Director at Fedrigoni Self-adhesives says: “As a challenging and technical sector, improving the recycle-readiness of home and personal care products will be instrumental to the success of the PPWR regulation. By combining Fedrigoni’s leadership in adhesive labelling with Amcor’s expertise in responsible packaging, we are proud to offer a solution that champions customer-centric design. This collaboration also represents an acceleration in the Group's innovation processes and is consistent with our ESG strategy to 2030, which aims to have 100% of materials designed for optimal recyclability and end-of-life recovery”.
You can read more about Amcor’s recycle-ready solutions for home and personal care here: https://insights.amcor.com/wet-wipes-recycle-ready
[1] Comparison based on PET12/PE50 standard wet wipes and MDOPE(HR)25/PE35 wet wipes
[2] Based on Amcor’s ASSET Life Cycle Assessment - Comparison based on cradle to grave analysis of standard PET12/PE50 with PET/PE label to AmPrima® Plus laminate with Fedrigoni mono-PE Semi-rigid label (assuming the AmPrima® pack is mechanically recycled); Recyclability for BE, DE, NL, ES with FR, AT and IT coming
[3] Amcor’s estimation based on modulated EPR per main EU countries (BE, FR, DE, PT, ES); The EUR value based on Belgium’s Fost Plust information from 2024 on 1M sqm of laminate