Flexible packaging giant Coveris (Vienna; www.coveris.com), has launched a range of lightweight stretch films in the UK with at least 30% recycled content, which the firm claims are the thinnest such products currently available.

Coveris said the films, which are made from recycled polyethylene recovered from post-consumer waste streams, would help it reduce its reliance on virgin plastics and meet forthcoming UK Plastic Packaging Tax requirements. The UK tax, which comes into force in April, will levy GBP 200/t (EUR 239/t) on all plastic packaging – including stretch wrap – without a minimum of 30% recycled content (see Plasteurope.com of 16.03.2021).

A Coveris spokesperson told Plasteurope.com there were currently no plans to launch the new recycled films outside the UK.

Coveris also announced it had signed deals to supply supermarket chains Aldi (Essen, Germany; www.aldi.com) and UK-based Tesco (Welwyn Garden City; www.tesco.com) with recyclable packaging.

Aldi plans to use Coveris’ recyclable packaging for its own-brand rice, while Tesco intends to take advantage of Coveris’ recyclable pouches for its grated cheese, moving from a mixed, triple-ply polyamide laminate to a fully recyclable polyethylene single-laminate structure.