Metallurgy / Chemicals / Rubber & Plastics

According to Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation, the cap packaging of Valio, a Finnish dairy product brand, will be replaced by a one-piece bottle cap step by step to meet the requirements of the European Union's disposable plastic directive. The first change of Valio packaging will be available in the first half of 2023, and all necessary changes will be completed before the deadline of July 2024.

The goal of the EU is to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment, especially on the beach, and promote the circular economy. The first step is to ban the requirements of disposable plastic plates, tableware and straws in July 2021. On July 3, 2024, the scope of the directive was expanded to require the use of tethered one-piece bottle caps on beverage packages of less than 3 liters. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.

This change affected most plastic lid liquid product containers with a capacity of less than 3 liters in about 200 products of Valio (such as milk, cream, yoghurt, cooking cream, smoothies, porridge and berry soup).

"This change requires a lot of preparation and planning, including internal preparation and cooperation with packaging suppliers. This change will help to ensure that plastic covers are collected and will not eventually be left out in the environment," said Jussi-Pekka Lumme, packaging development manager of Valio. It is estimated that compared with products made of non-recycled fossil plastics, the use of recycled plastics can reduce the packaging carbon footprint by 40-60%, Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation reported.

Jussi-Pekka Lumme further pointed out that Valio capping milk, yoghurt, cream and yoghurt products sold in Finland, including their bottle caps, are made of 100% renewable raw materials. The plastic part of the package is not petrochemicals; They are made from bioethanol, a by-product of the sugarcane industry. Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation Report.

The packaging update will also lead to changes in the recycling instructions on the milk box. Packaging, including bottle caps, must be recycled through carton recycling. The plastic will be separated from the cardboard in the recycling plant. In the recycling process, the carton packaging is soaked, the soaked carton sinks, the plastic rises to the surface, and then the plastic part can be separated.

According to Huacheng Import and Export Data Observation, Valio aims to recycle all packaging by the end of 2025, that is, it can be used to manufacture new products.