Innovative Packaging Solutions: DEGACRYL® HS and the Future of Sustainable Packaging

In today’s world, where sustainability and user-friendliness are paramount, the packaging industry is challenged to develop innovative solutions. A critical aspect of packaging design is the use of heat seal coatings, which not only ensure secure sealing but also facilitate easy opening of the packaging. Classical packaging forms, such as yogurt cups, have become particularly popular due to their functionality and convenience.

The DEGACRYL® HS portfolio offers a wide range of solvent-based and water-based heat seal binders that can securely seal various substrates. These include common materials like PET, PS, PP, PVC, PLA, and PE, primarily used in the food packaging sector. One of the standout advantages of these coatings is their low coating weight, starting at around 2 grams per square meter. This downgauging ability not only meets the criteria for mono-material packaging but also makes the coated material NIR detectable, laying the foundation for efficient recycling processes.

Another notable aspect of DEGACRYL® HS-based heat seal coatings is their ability to enable flexible packaging designs supporting a circular economy by reducing layers. New developments include mono-PET solutions, where additional layers, including lamination adhesives, become obsolete. While it may be argued that overall barrier properties could be diminished, for certain fast-moving packaged goods, such as fresh fruits, a long shelf life is not always a priority.

With an increasing focus on sustainable packaging, not only plastic designs are in the spotlight; new structures based on paper are also gaining interest. When applied to paper, DEGACRYL® HS-based coatings combine two essential functionalities: the paper becomes heat-sealable, and certain barrier properties—such as resistance to water, grease, or mineral oil—are enhanced. Furthermore, it has been shown - and certified by the well-known independent testing institute PTS - that the applied DEGACRYL® HS-based heat seal coating does not hinder the recyclability of the material, making it an ideal choice for paper-based packaging designs. 

Not only the food sector is undergoing a transformation of its packaging structures, but also the pharmaceutical industry is focused on developing new blister structures which enable easier recycling. Here, DEGACRYL® HS-based heat seal coatings, with their universal sealability properties, support new pharmaceutical packaging designs without the need for additional vinyl structures. An added benefit of these coatings is that they do not require a priming step or surface treatment. This allows for the design of sustainable pharmaceutical packaging structures based on PE, PP, PET, or aluminum blisters – including mono-material combinations such as mono-PET or mono-aluminum.

The trend towards more sustainable packaging design is clearly supported by heat seal coating solutions based on DEGACRYL® HS. The extensive DEGACRYL® HS product range meets the latest regulatory and food contact requirements, including FDA, Swiss Ordinance, or GB Standards in China. A significant advantage for customers—particularly converters—lies in the ease of application. These coatings can be applied on roto-gravure and flexo lines, as well as on lacquering and lamination machines.

As consumers become increasingly environmentally conscious, the packaging industry is called to offer innovative and sustainable solutions. DEGACRYL® HS not only provides the opportunity to create functional and user-friendly packaging but also actively contributes to reducing material consumption and improving recyclability. The future of packaging looks promising, and DEGACRYL® HS stands at the forefront to support formulators and converters in driving the development of the packaging structures of tomorrow.