The new frontier in the field of thermoformed blisters for small parts and accessories is products that are not only biodegradable but also compostable. Making them is G&CO Thermoforming, which has made research into sustainable materials its philosophy. The green approach will also be the protagonist of the company's upcoming participation in the Packaging Première & PCD Milan fair, scheduled from May 21 to 23 in the spaces of Hall 3 of Allianz MiCo in Milan: an event entirely dedicated to packaging for the luxury and beauty sectors.
Here the Chiuduno (BG)-based company, led by brothers Giulio and Cesare Consonni, will present, alongside bivalves for cosmetics and champagne capsule containers made of recycled and recyclable PET, also its PLA items with cotton flocking, which are not only biodegradable but also 100% compostable. These are thermoformed packaging made from extruded PLA film, with thickness from 0.3 to 0.9 mm and high impact resistance. The PLA (polylactic acid) film is produced from natural renewable resources such as corn and beet, and is compostable according to ASTM D 6002-96 standard.
An innovation introduced in early 2024 as an alternative to paper. "Contrary to what was announced a year ago," explain the company, "we have shelved the idea of making paper/cellulose trays. Investigations carried out revealed that producing paper media, besides being more expensive, is also more polluting than recycled and recyclable PET and PLA. So now we have focused on post consumer recycled raw materials that are further recyclable, biodegradable and compostable."
Items that are therefore responsive to sectoral sustainability needs and in line with the packaging reduction targets ratified last April 24 by the European Parliament: by 5 percent by 2030, 10 percent by 2035 and 15 percent by 2040 and require EU countries to reduce plastic packaging waste in particular. "The goal," explain G&CO Thermoforming, "is to give a product that fully meets the needs of our customers, not only from a practical and aesthetic point of view, but also from an ecological point of view: that's why our research goes in that direction.
