The UK’s premium thermoformed packaging company has revealed they will be launching the UK first Localised Circular Economy at Packaging Innovations - the UK’s leading event for primary and secondary packaging.

Charpak Ltd, is delighted to be officially unveiling their ground-breaking development for a Localised Circular Economy at Packaging Innovations on 27-28 February 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham; where plastics are used, recycled and put back into their production process for reuse.

Whilst many are theorising about this aim, Charpak is the first organisation to recruit partners, including Jayplas and Amey, to achieve a full circle in the plastics economy.

“As a leading design and manufacturing company in this field, we recognised the responsibility we have to help allay consumer fears and take major initiatives to achieve a truly circular plastics economy,” says Paul Smith, Managing Director at Charpak.

“After a year of negotiations and planning we are delighted the Localised Circular Economy is live! We want to prove that despite the challenges in delivering a circular economy, an economic model is feasible with supply chain collaboration. Minimising plastic leaking into our environment is a responsibility we take very seriously, so we must ensure plastic becomes a resource and not waste. Why transport essential plastics resources nationwide, or overseas, and risk ocean plastics when the plastic resource is required for manufacture and re-manufacture again and again within the UK.”

Charpak is committed to achieving zero waste and minimising environmental impact. Over 99% of its waste is either recycled, reused or composted.

The Localised Circular Economy is not only going to transform waste into resource for manufacturing into new packaging by processing Cambridgeshire’s waste locally, less miles will be travelled thereby reducing CO2 emissions. Processing this resource locally is a solution that can be deployed across the country, in other regions, and other materials.

Paul Smith adds: “We believe we are the first in the UK to make this a reality. It takes bold action to prove it can be done. We are not just talking about sustainable solutions to the plastics packaging problem, we are doing it, now!”

A direct result of the Localised Circular Economy and spearheading the company’s commitment to 360 degree circularity is the launch of a brand-new and innovative packaging solution – Twist-Loc – a ground-breaking packaging solution available to see at Packaging Innovations, which is highly appealing to food manufacturers and retailers.

This exciting new concept manufactured from the circular economy, is perfect for ‘eat me, keep me’ packaging and combines total product clarity in lightweight, durable, reusable and recyclable rPET plastic. The product’s integrated locking device means it is tamper evident and has zero ‘tear off bits’. Stackable and reusable, the product is available with a fully wrapped sleeve for ambient, chilled and frozen products.

Justin Kempson, Sales and Innovation Director at Charpak, concludes: “With compostable and biodegradable plastics not yet feasible to process in the current waste infrastructure moving to recycled and reusable packaging must be the way forward. Why use multi-layer materials, when mono-layer materials, from recycled resource are suitable and perfectly viable, and far less environmentally damaging. Whilst others continue to discuss, we have been quietly making it happen, and are absolutely ecstatic to be designing and producing packaging using this circular resource.

“These two ground-breaking solutions demonstrate our approach which is innovative, responsive to market needs, commercially motivated and underpinned with proven quality production. Critically, it showcases our ability to deliver practical solutions, relevant to the big plastic debate and to any sector using plastic packaging; particularly, but not limited to, food.”

Sponsors of Ecopack, Charpak will have a strong presence at Packaging Innovations to showcase their Localised Circular Economy, with Justin Kempson presenting on the Ecopack stage sharing the challenges, learnings and what is next in their research and development programme, and packaging innovations at 12:40pm on Wednesday 27th February 2019.

For those attending Packaging Innovations at Birmingham NEC on 27-28 February 2019, the Charpak team can be found on exhibition stand K24, featuring more information about the Localised Circular Economy and showcasing their exciting new development Twist-Loc.

For more information visit www.charpak.co.uk.