The growing environmental concerns surrounding plastic waste have prompted industries to pursue sustainable packaging alternatives. This thesis investigates the potential of fiber-based packaging solutions, particularly coated paper bottles, as an alternative to plastic in the context of liquid product applications (primary packaging). The study, developed in collaboration with Henkel's R&D Packaging department, does not aim to deliver a definitive solution. Rather, it seeks to establish a proof of concept for a possible alternative. The project serves to explore the potential viability and effectiveness of the identified solution in addressing the challenges associated with plastic packaging. The research commences with an examination of the prevalence and implications of plastic usage in Europe and North America. This entails an analysis of legislative frameworks, market demands, and consumer perceptions of fiber-based packaging. The study elucidates the technical and manufacturing characteristics of the paper bottle developed by Paboco, a prominent supplier in this field. Subsequently, the thesis undertakes a global portfolio analysis of Henkel brands with a view to identifying suitable candidates for pilot testing, with a particular focus on two professional hair care brands: The Authentic Beauty Concept (Europe) and the Better Natured (North America) brands. The aforementioned brands were selected on the basis of their alignment with sustainability objectives and their receptivity to innovation. A comprehensive technical assessment is subsequently presented, evaluating the mechanical, functional, and environmental performance of the fiber-based packaging through tests conducted in Germany, Slovenia, and North America. By concentrating on the feasibility of a proof of concept, the study establishes a foundation for subsequent research and development, underscoring the prospective impact of paper bottles in aligning packaging with the tenets of a circular economy.
Le crescenti preoccupazioni ambientali legate ai rifiuti di plastica hanno spinto le industrie a cercare alternative di imballaggio sostenibili. Questa tesi analizza il potenziale delle soluzioni di imballaggio a base di fibre, in particolare delle bottiglie di carta patinata, come alternativa alla plastica nel contesto delle applicazioni per prodotti liquidi (imballaggio primario). Lo studio, sviluppato in collaborazione con il dipartimento R&S Packaging di Henkel, non mira a fornire una soluzione definitiva. Piuttosto, cerca di stabilire una prova di concetto per una possibile alternativa. Il progetto serve a esplorare la potenziale fattibilità ed efficacia della soluzione individuata per affrontare le sfide associate agli imballaggi in plastica. La ricerca inizia con un esame della diffusione e delle implicazioni dell'uso della plastica in Europa e in Nord America. Ciò comporta un'analisi dei quadri legislativi, delle richieste del mercato e delle percezioni dei consumatori nei confronti degli imballaggi in fibra. Lo studio chiarisce le caratteristiche tecniche e produttive della bottiglia di carta sviluppata da Paboco, un importante fornitore del settore. Successivamente, la tesi intraprende un'analisi del portafoglio globale dei marchi Henkel al fine di individuare i candidati idonei per la sperimentazione pilota, con particolare attenzione a due marchi professionali per la cura dei capelli: The Authentic Beauty Concept (Europa) e Better Natured (Nord America). I marchi citati sono stati selezionati in base al loro allineamento con gli obiettivi di Sostenibilità e alla loro ricettività all'innovazione. Successivamente viene presentata una valutazione tecnica completa, che valuta le prestazioni meccaniche, funzionali e ambientali degli imballaggi a base di fibre attraverso test condotti in Germania, Slovenia e Nord America. Concentrandosi sulla fattibilità di un proof of concept, lo studio getta le basi per la ricerca e lo sviluppo successivi, sottolineando l'impatto prospettico delle bottiglie di carta nell'allineare gli imballaggi ai principi dell'economia circolare.
Fibra : moving beyond plastics: exploring innovative fiber-based packaging solutions for sustainable development - a case study (Henkel)
Natale, Antonio
2023/2024
Abstract
The growing environmental concerns surrounding plastic waste have prompted industries to pursue sustainable packaging alternatives. This thesis investigates the potential of fiber-based packaging solutions, particularly coated paper bottles, as an alternative to plastic in the context of liquid product applications (primary packaging). The study, developed in collaboration with Henkel's R&D Packaging department, does not aim to deliver a definitive solution. Rather, it seeks to establish a proof of concept for a possible alternative. The project serves to explore the potential viability and effectiveness of the identified solution in addressing the challenges associated with plastic packaging. The research commences with an examination of the prevalence and implications of plastic usage in Europe and North America. This entails an analysis of legislative frameworks, market demands, and consumer perceptions of fiber-based packaging. The study elucidates the technical and manufacturing characteristics of the paper bottle developed by Paboco, a prominent supplier in this field. Subsequently, the thesis undertakes a global portfolio analysis of Henkel brands with a view to identifying suitable candidates for pilot testing, with a particular focus on two professional hair care brands: The Authentic Beauty Concept (Europe) and the Better Natured (North America) brands. The aforementioned brands were selected on the basis of their alignment with sustainability objectives and their receptivity to innovation. A comprehensive technical assessment is subsequently presented, evaluating the mechanical, functional, and environmental performance of the fiber-based packaging through tests conducted in Germany, Slovenia, and North America. By concentrating on the feasibility of a proof of concept, the study establishes a foundation for subsequent research and development, underscoring the prospective impact of paper bottles in aligning packaging with the tenets of a circular economy.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
fibra_AntonioNatale_MasterThesis.pdf
accessibile in internet solo dagli utenti autorizzati
Dimensione
410.79 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
410.79 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in POLITesi sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
https://hdl.handle.net/10589/233693