Product protection is also climate protection

As one of the leading manufacturers of PE films, the topic of sustainability is also an important part of the business orientation for POLIFILM. Apart from a complete internal recycling system, POLIFILM is also involved in various sustainability programmes, like the initiatives "Null Granulatverlust" [zero granulate loss] and "ERDE" [earth] by IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V. [Industrial association of plastic packaging] or for example the well-known project "The Ocean Cleanup" by Boyan Slat from the Netherlands.

Especially in the last few years, packaging made of plastic or film products have had a negative status in society, as the increasing pollution of the ocean with plastic waste is equated with the manufacturing of these products. 80% of the plastic waste in the oceans comes from Asia.

Ulf Kelterborn, Managing Director of IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V. says: "Plastic packaging does not belong in the sea! However, we also need to be clear that plastic packaging is not waste per se, and does not get into the sea by itself. First and foremost, plastic packaging has an important function. It protects the packaged product against damage and decay, and therefore also against being thrown away. That is an important contribution to climate protection."

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Plastic packaging is still a valuable raw material after use, which is why it is collected and recycled. The reusable part of the recycling volume in Germany is approx. 50%. The remaining part that is too soiled is thermally recycled, and converted into energy instead of oil, i.e. district heating.

With over 300 member companies, the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V. is currently the largest association in the plastics sector in Europe. Affiliated importance on a national and international level is a requirement for a successful representation of interests for the whole plastic packaging sector. A sector with an annual turnover of over €14 billion and over 90,000 employees.

pictures & video: IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V.