Leading global packaging and paper group Mondi has partnered with Reckitt Benckiser Group to launch a fully recyclable, mono-material flexible plastic packaging portfolio for the premium line of its Finish® dishwasher tablets Quantum Ultimate.

This product line had previously used a multilayer, PET/PE laminate pouch construction that was not recyclable. With RB’s commitment that 100% of its plastic packaging must be reusable or recyclable by 2025 that had to change. RB has a “4 R” approach to using plastics –– reduce, reuse, replace, recycle.

“Following Mondi’s customer-centric EcoSolutions approach, we worked closely with RB to find the best solution and make this product fully recyclable without sacrificing the high-end look, feel and performance,” said Olivier Seux, Global Key Account Manager, Mondi Consumer Flexibles. “We asked questions about the entire process and tailored various aspects to meet the customer’s precise needs.”

"Given that this is a premium product line for Finish®, it was vital that the resulting stand-up pouch was rigid enough with a smooth appearance, while offering exact colour matching and a quality feel. There could be no compromise in the barrier properties of the package, and it also needed to incorporate a recyclable zipper for ease of use in opening and closing the pouch.”

Krzysztof Krajewski, RB’s Director Packaging Sustainability - Hygiene, said, “We appreciate the work and effort Mondi put into this project. It was quite a journey with dozens of trials. Mondi had a great, hands-on approach and was very agile. We’re pleased that Mondi is an RB innovation partner and part of our company’s ‘PtI-Partners-to-innovate’ signature program established by our R&D. From the ideation to launch, we’re with our partners every step of the way.”

RB says it plans to roll out its new Finish® packaging in Italy from May on, followed by Germany and the UK, with a global launch thereafter.