Solutions For Recyclable Single Use Coffee Pods

Solutions for recyclable single use coffee pods

26-Jul-16

A Milacron Co-injection technology seeing traction, the systems with Kortec embedded technology are now being used in the production of 100% recyclable single use coffee pods. The single use coffee pod market has grown rapidly over the past decade and Milacron's technologies ensure that the newly designed pods are able to enter the recycling stream rather than the landfill. Currently, most single use pods are thermoformed polystyrene and not recyclable. Manufacturers are eager to move to recyclable injection molded PP cups over the next 3 years. Globally there are billions of single serve cups on the market.

Milacron's patented co-injection systems with embedded Kortec technology have elevated Milacron to be the leading producer of 100% recyclable, single use coffee pods. Steve Morris, Milacron Vice President and General Manager Milacron Systems, elaborated, "Recyclability is driving major design changes within the coffee pod market, and will continue to create new capital equipment demand to support this growing consumer product. Today, cups molded on a Milacron platform qualify for a ‘5' for recyclability. A key benefit of an injection-molded cup is the ability to mold features into the cup that replace the addition of costly components such as filters. This benefit also eliminates a second molding process, scrap, assembly costs and part weight."

Injection molded cups also have better mechanics allowing them to use more shapes, provide wall and barrier consistency and produce better clarity in clear parts. These cups also have a flange seal off area and no barrier breakthrough. Milacron is the world's largest supplier of turnkey co-injection systems to the plastics and packaging industries all with embedded Kortec Technology. Milacron's manufacturing and service footprint combined with Kortec Technology creates multi-layer packaging technology that is backed by over 20 years of experience and has a dedicated development team to continually advance the technology. Milacron Co-injection meets the plastics industry's need for high barrier applications in food packaging, closures, medial and many other applications. Milacron's Systems Team now offers both monolayer and multi-layer PET systems; full turn-key systems, including tooling are available.

Milacron continues to push the boundaries of possibilities in plastics with breakthrough products from leading brands including Milacron®, Mold-Masters®, DME®, Ferromatik®, Uniloy® and CIMCOOL®.