Colines and ExxonMobil develop a MDO PE recyclable pouch

Colines and ExxonMobil Signature Polymers made a stiff, tough laminated pouch designed for recyclability. This collaboration aims to meet converting and end-use requirements with a substrate film made using cast calendar MDO technology. The cast MDO is run in a unique manner in calendar mode, resulting in the thickness control of the profile, and planarity while guaranteeing unique mechanical properties to the film.

The primary challenge was to develop a laminated pouch designed for recyclability with high performance characteristics, including easy printing, lamination and pouch production on existing converting equipment. This requires integrating advanced materials and MDO technology to meet packaging requirements for both food and nonfood applications.

The solution involved using cast calender MDO technology to produce a high quality low gel substrate film, combined with a tough seven-layer blown barrier sealant film. 

The substrate film is produced using Colines’ cast calendar MDO technology, exploring the right selection of ExxonMobil Signature Polymers to reach the required stretch ratio in a controlled manner. This allowed it to deliver the desired stiffness and clarity. However, the sealant film can be made using a 7- or 9-layer blown barrier film extrusion.

The pouch designed for recyclability demonstrated properties such as excellent survival rate of 100% dropping from typical shelf heights of 2-m. The cast calendar MDO technology provided a differentiated product for companies with cast lines, enabling them to diversify their offerings. The laminated pouches were suitable for various applications, enhancing the value chain from producers to end-users.

The actual recyclability depends on factors such as local collection, sortation, and recycling infrastructure, as well as the condition and configuration of the package after use. However, access to facilities that accept and process plastic film is limited and not widely available.