Plastic of the future meets contemporary art
EXPO 2015 in Milan: ALPLA involved in exhibition at Triennale Design Museum
As part of EXPO 2015, the innovative and creative nation of Austria is present at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan. ALPLA, leading international specialist in packaging solutions, is part of the "Austrian Design Explosion" exhibition with its PEF plastic bottles. The 100% bio-based plastic PEF is the packaging material of the future, as it is made from renewable materials.
Based around the theme of "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", EXPO 2015 in Milan focuses on vital issues affecting the future of our planet. Austria is represented at the world exhibition with various offerings, such as the exhibition "Energy for Life – Austrian Innovation and Creativity for a Better World" from 26 June to 5 July at the Triennale Design Museum. Taking on an artistic concept, the exhibition portrays key examples of the Austrian technological and design landscape. At the invitation of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, ALPLA is taking part in the exhibition with its plastic bottles made from the innovative material PEF.
"For ALPLA, as a specialist in packaging solutions, sustainability and the use of materials made from renewable resources are some of the most fundamental bases for the next generations. We have a responsibility to drive innovation in this area," says ALPLA CEO Günther Lehner. In 2013 the company joined Coca-Cola and Danone in a development collaboration with Avantium for the bio-based plastic PEF. As a technological leader, ALPLA brings its decades of experience in plastics processing to the fore for the continued development of PEF.
A next-generation plastic with added value for customers
PEF (polyethylene furanoate) is made from 100% plant-based materials. The YXY-process technology used to produce the material was created by the Dutch company Avantium. The research carried out has shown that PEF bottles have superior properties compared to other plastic bottles.
It has an exceptional gas barrier (e.g., 10 times higher barrier properties for oxygen compared to PET). Together with its higher strength this enables the development of thinner and lighter bottles. In addition, PEF is more heat-resistant and it can also be processed at lower temperatures. With these superior properties it has the potential to prolong the shelve life of certain food products and beverages. This 100% biobased and 100% recycleable new polymer is expected to be the packaging material of the future.
"PEF is suitable for the production of extremely thin and light, yet strong, packaging, such as for drinks and foods," the ALPLA CEO explains. "This technology offers our customers added value, and also has benefits for consumers and for the environment. We are proud to bring this pioneering technology to the market together with distinguished partners."
More information: www.alpla.com, www.avantium.com
About ALPLA:
ALPLA is one of the leading companies in the world in the area of packaging solutions and is renowned throughout the world for producing plastic packaging of the highest quality. Around 16,000 employees at 154 locations across 40 countries produce high-quality packaging for brands in the food, drinks, cosmetics and cleaning industries. ALPLA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015.
Fact box:
"Energy for Life – Austrian Innovation and Creativity for a Better World" exhibition, 26 June to 5 July 2015, Triennale Design Museum, Milan (www.triennale.org)
EXPO 2015, under the title "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", takes place from 1 May to 31 October in Milan. Around 140 countries and organisations will present their visions of the future of our planet. (www.expo2015.org)
Copyright: ALPLA, photographer: Adi Bereuter. Picture credits are obligatory.
