A novel and particularly sustainable solution for packaging goods is foam packaging made from recycled materials. They consist in part of recycled plastic granulate, thus helping the environment and paving the way towards a circular economy.

Foam packaging made from recyclates – the most important contents at a glance.

• Novel foam packaging made from recyclates is an important component of closed-loop recycling systems in packaging technology.
• Innovative technologies and recycling processes enable high recycled content in foam packaging.
• Modern and gentle processes are used to maintain the quality of the plastic granulate during recycling.
• Due to their recyclability, foam packaging made from recyclates promises an optimal eco-balance and helps the environment.

With recycled foam packaging to a functioning circular economy.

For the recycling of plastics and foams to make sense, applications are needed for the granules produced in the recycling process. One of these applications is the production of recycled foam packaging, which retains its protective and cushioning properties during material recycling.

When high-quality, durable packaging has reached the end of its useful life, its material can be shredded, processed and then returned to the circular economy in the form of a recyclate. This creates a closed-loop recycling system of foam packaging.

What is a closed-loop recycling system?
A closed-loop recycling system is a circular economy process in which the collected waste from a product is used to be made into something new. In this way, recycling comes full circle.

How does packaging waste become sustainable foam packaging?

Foam packaging made from recyclates uses the waste from plastic products as raw material. The supposed plastic waste is thereby subjected to a special process so that it does not lose quality in the recycling process and can be reprocessed into high-quality packaging.

In this process, the waste is first separated by type and coarsely shredded, after which nothing stands in the way of regranulation, i.e. processing the foams into plastic pellets.

Expert Tip:
Modern and gentle processes are needed to produce high-quality recyclates. Instead of thermal or chemical methods, which would mean downcycling the starting material, mechanical recycling is state of the art. In this way, quality losses are avoided and recycling can be repeated as often as required.

Conclusion

New types of foam packaging made from recyclates are the future of packaging technology, after all, they prevent the generation of packaging waste. On the contrary, they even actively ensure that discarded plastic and foam products are recycled. 

For recycled foam packaging to actually help the environment, it must be properly regranulated and further processed.

FAQ -frequently asked questions about foam packaging from recyclates

The post How innovative foam packaging made from recyclates helps the environment appeared first on Wetropa Group.

What are individual foam inserts?
A foam insert is an individually manufactured packaging solution made of PE or PU foam that accommodates specific components or tools with a precise fit. Foam inserts are used to organize, transport and present objects of all kinds.

Foam inlays – the most important advantages at a glance

In this article, Wetropa presents the top six reasons to use foam inserts in your packaging solutions. These include:

• Best possible order of the components or tools
• Clear overview when processing, stowing and presenting
• Optimal protection against dust and dirt
• Excellent hold of the components
• Individual design possible through coloring
• 100% recyclable foam product variants

Reason 1: Arrange components and tools

By using foam inserts in your packaging solution, it is possible to sort the packed components or tools as desired. Each object is assigned to a specific position in the case or container. In this way, not only is order improved, but space consumption is also optimized.

Reason 2: Clear overview in the work process

The clear order within a foam insert provides you and your employees with an optimal overview. This means that every object is within easy reach during the work process, which simplifies procedures and saves time. 
In this way, work efficiency along the value chain is significantly increased in the sense of lean management. Working with foam inserts works according to the 5S method, which simplifies production, assembly and logistics.

Reason 3: Optimal protection against external influences

High-quality foam inserts protect their contents from getting dusty or dirty thanks to a precise finish. Last but not least, the strong hold protects the contents from slipping and colliding.

Reason 4: First class hold of the content

Due to the precise and individual contours that are worked into the foam with the help of CNC-controlled milling machines, a foam insert provides a first-class hold. This effectively prevents the stowed components or tools from coming loose from the foam inlays.

Reason 5: Individual design through color scheme

Tooling inserts in particular are often designed in a two-color design consisting of a colored base and a top layer (cover layer) in a different color. This has less of an aesthetic benefit than a practical one. For example, the absence of a tool or component can be immediately identified by the individual color scheme.

Reason 6: Sustainable variants with recyclable foam

Wetropa offers foam inserts made of PE plastics that are fully recyclable. An example of this are the products made from our sustainable ReFOAM materials, which are characterized by optimal recyclability. After use, they can be returned to the closed-loop recycling system and processed into new products.

Conclusion

Foam inlays extend the functionality of classic packaging solutions such as cases, bins and drawers by offering a wide range of applications and numerous practical benefits. These include the optimal organization of items, a high level of protection against damage thanks to a secure hold, as well as coloring and recycling potential.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about foam inserts

The post Foam inlays: 6 reasons to use them appeared first on Wetropa Group.

What is non-crosslinked PE foam packaging?
Uncrosslinked PE foam packaging is made of polyethylene (PE), which is very popular in all areas of plastics processing. The closed-cell materials consist of long carbon-hydrogen chains that are not interconnected or cross-linked.

From weight to recycling – the properties of non-crosslinked PE foams

Uncrosslinked PE foams bring a number of material properties that make them suitable for modern packaging applications. These include:

• light weight thanks to a low density
• Maximum safety through first-class cushioning properties
• Granulability, which is why they are also 100 percent recyclable
• Excellent resistance to weathering and aging, which is why they are also reusable

PE packaging made of non-crosslinked foam as solutions with excellent Performance

Packaging made of non-crosslinked PE foams combine a low density with excellent mechanical properties. Even with low material thicknesses, they ensure reliable protection against external impacts such as shocks, vibrations and falls that can occur during the transport of goods.

They also have excellent weathering and aging resistance, as well as chemical resistance to common acids, alkalis and other substances. Added to this are the first-class soundproofing and thermal insulation properties offered by packaging made of non-crosslinked PE foams.

Sustainability – optimal material properties for recycling and reuse

The special structure of non-crosslinked PE foams results in a comparatively low melting point. This is due to the fact that the carbon-hydrogen chains are not firmly crosslinked with each other and therefore require little energy to separate them from each other.

Last but not least, packaging made from non-crosslinked foams has a particularly good ecological balance. Thanks to their high robustness, they can also be used several times and, after a few cycles of use, can be completely granulated and then recycled. The non-crosslinked PE foams themselves can be partly made of recycled material.

What are the processing and application possibilities of packaging made of non-crosslinked PE foam?

The first-class material properties make non-crosslinked PE packaging suitable solutions for a wide range of applications. These lie in the storage and transport of technical, medical and pharmaceutical products. Packaging made of non-crosslinked PE foam is also available as an ESD variant.

In addition, non-crosslinked PE foams can be processed into functional packaging in a wide variety of ways. The main processing methods are:

• individual packaging moldings
• individual packaging stampings
• Sheet goods in the desired dimensions and with the desired material thickness
• Components of constructive system packaging made of several materials

Conclusion

Uncrosslinked PE foams are the ideal material for creating customized packaging solutions that combine a high protection factor with a high level of sustainability.

The most important properties of non-crosslinked PE packaging are high resistance to mechanical and chemical influences, low weight and a wide range of processing options. Furthermore, non-crosslinked PE packaging is regranulable and thus recyclable, so that it can be recycled without any problems.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about sustainable foam packaging?

The post Clarified: What is non-crosslinked PE foam packaging? appeared first on Wetropa Group.

Packaging made of foamed polyethylene (PE) can be regranulated in the interests of a functioning recycling economy. In this process, the molded and die-cut parts of the packaging are separated according to type and then shredded and further processed in the form of granules.

What is PE packaging?
Behind the abbreviation PE is the plastic polyethylene, which is used in the form of foams in packaging technology. The material is characterized by its toughness and robustness with simultaneous softness, which creates the optimal cushioning effect of packaging solutions.

Why is closed-loop recycling important in packaging technology?

The conventional packaging industry is responsible for a large proportion of waste that has to be disposed of in waste incineration plants or ends up in nature, endangering the ecosystems there. In addition, functional packaging is often made of plastics and foams.
Closed-loop recycling makes it possible to contain the negative ecological consequences and instead build a circular economy. Packaging that can no longer be used is used in this way to produce new packaging or plastic products without compromising quality. The chemical structure and thus also the properties of the polyethylene remain unchanged.

Regranulation – how PE packaging is recycled

In order for the subsequent recycling to work, the PE packaging must first be collected sorted by type so that it does not mix with other plastics under any circumstances. Then they are processed into PE granules in a shredding process consisting of several stages. The process of regranulation of PE packaging is as follows:

• Separation of the PE foam by type
• Shredding of the material in a shredder
• Compression, compaction and degassing
• Melting process
• Processing into granules

In the final step of granulation, the coarsely ground material is processed in an extruder through narrow holes with conical access to form long strands. These are mechanically cut into small and uniform pieces, resulting in the typical size and shape of the granules.

Conclusion

The regranulation of PE packaging is an ideal way to achieve functioning recycling, which forms the basis for a circular economy. In the special process, the PE packaging is first collected by type and coarsely shredded.
Then, using the process of compression and extrusion, they are processed into re-granulate, which has the same properties as the initial product and is thus suitable for the production of new, sustainable packaging. In the special process, the PE packaging is first collected by type and coarsely shredded.
It is then compressed and extruded to form regranulate, which has the same properties as the initial product and is thus suitable for the production of new, sustainable packaging.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about PE packaging regranulation

The post Regranulation: PE packaging for a functioning circular economy appeared first on Wetropa Group.

Sustainable packaging from Wetropa – our contribution to ecology

For many years now, Wetropa has been actively involved in the development and realization of sustainable foam packaging. Through constant optimization in the areas of materials, design and production, we succeed in effectively protecting the climate and curbing pollution of the environment by packaging waste. To this end, we are working on projects that are as innovative as they are practical. 

In this blog article, we give you an overview of the three most important reasons why the Wetropa Group relies on sustainable foam packaging and why you should also make use of these special packaging solutions in your next project.

Reason 1: Emerging plastic waste guidelines

Due to the urgency of the ecological crisis, an increasing regulation of products made of plastic is to be expected. In this context, packaging technology also plays a major role. Wetropa aims to be several steps ahead of the recommendations and guidelines in order to contribute to more sustainability on the one hand and to offer customers attractive packaging solutions that can be used in the long term on the other.

The use of sustainable foam packaging as an alternative to conventional packaging could also become more financially attractive for its users in the future. For example, system operators of recycling plants will be obliged to comply with specified recycling quotas. In most cases, this is accompanied by an adjustment of the fee system so that recyclable and sustainable packaging is charged at lower rates.

Reducing the complexity of materials, using biodegradable materials and recyclates, and using reusable packaging are also strategies that will in all likelihood become increasingly important in the future. With our sustainable foam packaging, we offer our customers not only a sustainable solution, but also an economical one.

Reason 2: Responsibility for people and planet

Wetropa is particularly concerned about acting responsibly and sustainably. The current developments around climate change and environmental pollution make it necessary to act quickly and, above all, also together. As a manufacturer of high-quality packaging solutions, we have a direct influence on shaping a sustainable economy. With the sustainable foams that we develop partly in-house and use to realize our packaging solutions, we succeed in making a valuable contribution to an ecological economy and environmentally friendly packaging.

For this reason, we consider it our duty to focus on sustainable alternatives, such as foam packaging. But that’s not all, through projects that are as visionary as they are practical, such as the ReFOAM product range, we are also actively driving the development of innovative packaging made from sustainable foams. We would like to pass on our visionary philosophy to our customers with our sustainable foam packaging solutions, so that together we can contribute to a sustainable economy on earth for future generations.

At Wetropa, we not only live sustainability in our materials and packaging solutions, but also act in a particularly sustainable and responsible manner within the company. For example, the Wetropa Group has been the first carbon-neutral company in the foam processing industry for several years. 

On request, we can also deliver each of your projects in a climate-neutral manner. This is achieved by precisely determining the CO₂ emissions generated during the packaging manufacturing process. 

By supporting selected climate protection projects run by our partner ClimatePartner, the CO₂ emissions generated are neutralized and climate neutrality is certified. Together, we succeed in this way in making an effective contribution to climate-neutral business. We at Wetropa are very proud of this sustainable development.

Reason 3: Our own research and development department

Over the past decades, we have built up not only the expertise and know-how, but also the necessary modern infrastructure to develop sustainable foam packaging solutions in-house and produce them on a large scale. We place a special focus on working with recycled material: foam granulate. We process this further into new, sustainable packaging materials. The result is recyclable packaging materials such as the products in the ReFOAM range, which can be returned to the material cycle after use without any problems.

At Wetropa, research and development of sustainable foams for packaging technology goes hand in hand with the design of sustainable packaging forms. When designing our packaging solutions, we look for both a long service life and optimal material savings. Our in-house design experts bring the necessary know-how to optimize packaging of consistent quality from a sustainability perspective. In this way, sustainable use of foam packaging succeeds according to the principles of reduce and reuse. 

Conclusion

At Wetropa, we have recognized the great potential of sustainable foam packaging and prioritize sustainable solutions when designing packaging. One example is our special packaging design that saves material and weight. Another example is our sustainable product range ReFOAM, which includes a range of sustainable recycled materials.

With Wetropa at your side, the step to carbon neutrality in packaging is an easy one. We will be happy to provide you with the right environmentally friendly and CO₂-neutral packaging for your products. If you are interested in our services from consulting to the implementation of sustainable packaging solutions made of foam, do not hesitate and get in touch with our team of packaging specialists. We look forward to receiving your inquiry.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about sustainable foam packaging?

The post 3 reasons why we rely on sustainable foam packaging appeared first on Wetropa Group.

Dear Business Partner,

Due to the current situation of the gas supply in Germany and the declaration of the second level of the emergency plan gas by the Federal Government, the uncertainty due to the lack of economic planning reliability is quite high among all of us.

Accordingly, we are currently receiving an increasing number of inquiries from our customers regarding a possible gas dependency of the Wetropa Group itself and of our suppliers.

As part of our sustainability strategy, Wetropa has been largely independent of gas for years. Due to the quite dynamic market situation in the last 2 years, we are in very close and continuous exchange with our suppliers and also the raw material producers, currently, of course, with a focus on the gas supply and, respectively, corresponding dependencies.

As of today / currently, we do not see any disruption of our processes – neither in material procurement / supply chain nor in our production.

As a preventive measure, we are increasingly working on research and back-ups – we are keeping our stocks high in order to remain able to supply you even in the event of sudden bottlenecks.

Should there be a change in the currently stable situation of Wetropa – and/or our suppliers – we will inform you again immediately!

Especially in times, in which such massive influences affect companies – and also private households – a fast, transparent and open exchange is essential.

Let us stay in contact.

Press release download gas supply WETROPA

The post Gas supply information appeared first on Wetropa Group.

Currently, we are still in the early stages of establishing such a standard throughout the foam industry. For this reason, we are investing a lot of energy in the process of establishing such a circular economy in our industry.
Last Wednesday, we had the pleasure of welcoming the members of the Sustainability Circle to our premises on the subject of “Waste Management”. There was a lively exchange about previous implementations and learnings as well as about hurdles in the circular economy process.
We were very pleased with the strong interest in our sustainability transformation and are very excited about the upcoming exchange rounds. Together we can move forward on the topic of sustainability and share mutual experiences.

Are you also looking for practical and effective solutions for more sustainability? Then come to the Sustainability Circle. You can find all the information and events here.

The post “Waste Management Event” Sustainability Circle appeared first on Wetropa Group.

Dear business partners,

the massive conflict of the Russia/Ukraine crisis leads among other things to big questions and concerns in the economy – also concerning effects on the supply chains.

We have already received some justified inquiries from our customers, which we answer with this letter.

WETROPA is NOT dependent on supplies from Russia or Ukraine, therefore an impact on the supply chain is currently NOT seen. We assume that there will be no impairment of the supply chain.

WETROPA, together with its raw material suppliers, will constantly monitor the market. Should a new situation arise, you will be actively informed by us without being asked.

Our sympathy goes to the Ukrainian people!

Press Release Download Supply Chain Impact

The post Impact supply chain appeared first on Wetropa Group.

We live sustainability – We only use 100% green electricity!

Sustainability is a holistic theme that runs like a green thread through our company and is an important factor in all decisions. Especially in the not so sunny months our own produced electricity is often not sufficient for production peaks, which is why we have to buy electricity externally. It is of particular importance to us that this electricity also comes from sustainable sources.

We therefore only purchase green electricity, which comes from 100% European hydro, wind or photovoltaic plants.

We live sustainability!

The post Green Power appeared first on Wetropa Group.

The economy and even the world are constantly changing, and the Wetropa Group is changing too!

Mr. Martin Eigenherr, Managing Director of Wetropa Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG, has reached the age at which many people decide to take their well-deserved retirement. The Wetropa Group is very pleased to be able to continue to count on Mr. Eigenherr’s support. In his advisory role, with his experience and knowledge, he will hopefully be at our side for a few more years.

Mr. Eigenherr has achieved many positive things in his years in management – he has always stood up for the economic well-being of the company and has never disregarded the interests of the employees. We would like to thank him very much for this.

With effect from September 1, 2021, Mr. Sebastian Linder, former Operations Manager, will join the management of Wetropa Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co KG and will form the management team together with Mr. Dirk Breitkreuz.

He replaces our long-standing COO Martin Eigenherr. Alongside Dirk Breitkreuz, Mr Lindner will continue to support the realignment of WETROPA towards digitalization, modernization and sustainability and shape it with new ideas.

Future prospects for Mr. Lindner: “My motivation is to always act with foresight and to always adapt you and the company to new challenges. Every decision is based on our values of quality, speed, reliability, partnership and sustainability. We orient and reflect on these values and constantly look ahead in order to recognize and take advantage of upcoming changes and opportunities early on.” Sebastian Lindner began his career at Wetropa in 2012 in production management, then became Technical Manager and finally Operations Manager.

The post Change in the management appeared first on Wetropa Group.