NEW GENERATION OF PUNCTURE-RESISTANT MONOPE FLEXIBLE PACKAGING REPLACING MULTILAYER STRUCTURES

Enplater Group, in collaboration with SM Resinas and Dow, introduces a new generation of flexible packaging based on a predominantly polyethylene (MonoPE) structure, developed to replace traditional multilayer solutions such as PA/PE or PET/PE, while maintaining mechanical performance and improving compatibility with PE recycling streams. The main added value of this innovation lies in its ability to deliver functional equivalence in terms of mechanical strength, particularly puncture and impact resistance, which are critical factors in demanding applications such as fatty products, sharp-edged items, or heavy-weight formats.

This new generation of MonoPE addresses the circularity requirements driven by European regulations and the need to reduce multi-material structures, offering the market a technically robust, industrially viable alternative designed to meet current industry demands, particularly in sectors such as meat, cheese, frozen foods, and ready meals suitable for microwave heating under defined conditions.
Unlike conventional laminated structures made from heterogeneous materials, this solution has been formulated to enhance compatibility with polyethylene recycling streams, simplify structural architecture, and preserve production efficiency across different packaging lines as much as possible.
Integrated high-barrier performance
The structure allows for the incorporation of high-barrier systems compatible with recognized recyclability criteria, maintaining appropriate levels of protection against oxygen and moisture according to the specific requirements of each application. This capability extends its range of use to segments traditionally reserved for PA and/or PET-based structures, without compromising functionality or food safety standards.
Thermal performance and functionality
The material has been engineered to provide stable performance in microwaveable applications.