The green future of the packaging industry
How Liquid Glass marches into battle against plastic waste
Schwalbach/Germany, February 14th 2020
The packaging industry is currently facing one of the biggest challenges in its own history. While new packaging policies initiate active steps against the massive pollution of the environment, the existence of innumerable companies is threatened by the mandated abandonment of plastic as a material for disposable packaging. Alternative solutions must meet demands on both hygiene and environmental compatibility and still be financially realizable. The sustainable np-Liquid Glass technology promises a real breakthrough.
Get rid of plastic – but what’s next?
The ban on many disposable plastic products such as plates, straws, cups and thin plastic bags is not the only reason why both consumers and manufacturers need to rethink. With a life span of more than 450 years, each piece of plastic waste adds to the daily growing problem we have to conquer, as the earth and the oceans are slowly drowning under gigantic piles and carpets of waste.
Furthermore, the health risks of this material basically made of mineral oil, coal and petroleum gas grow to be a wide spread problem. Critical substances contained in plastic find their ways into our bodies through air, dust and food and rise the risks of allergies, adiposity, infertility, cancer and heart diseases.
In short: Plastic is dangerous for our bodies and our planet.
But still, consumers, industries and retailers depend on plastic products. BloombergNEF talks about a 10-billion-$-market that is threatened by the bans on plastic. We desperately need uncritical alternatives that make it possible to still offer repellent packaging products in the future.
The dilemma is that materials made of natural resources such as wood, bamboo, paper, or cardboard do not have the same water- and oil-repellent qualities as plastic does. Many methods of impregnation, however, are harmful for people and environment.
An environmentally friendly alternative that even made it into space
The perfect solution to the problem would be a natural product that is free of toxic substances, 100% degradable and able to coat paper, cardboard, or wood-packaging with a layer that protects the material against liquids, smells, or gases.
This is where the unique np-Liquid Glass technology made by the German company nanopool comes into play: The coating is based on silicon dioxide and has already proven its applicability in many sectors such as the food industry, health care and even in aeronautics. Nearly all surfaces can be coated with an ultrathin layer as a long-term protection against humidity, dirt, corrosion, and other influences, without changing the visual appearance, hand-feel, or smell of the refined material. Even bacteria cannot adhere anymore. The food safety of this technology has already been confirmed by accredited institutes.
This makes the solution applicable for all utilization within the packaging industry. Whether it’s for egg cartons, paper straws, or fast food-boxes, the np-Liquid Glass technology stabilizes and provides hydrophobic and oleophobic features to packaging of any kind.
Industry or private label: Becoming a team of green heroes
The method has already been honoured with several environmental and innovation awards such as the well sought-after Frost & Sullivan „Best Practice Award“, the „Green Hero“, and the science award “land of ideas” („Land der Ideen“). For the latter, the application “Liquid Glass against hospital germs” has even been designated national winner in the category “science”.
The fact that germs can no longer adhere to a surface which has been coated with np-Liquid Glass is of major importance in the current battle against plastic waste. It turns simple paper and cardboard packaging into save and hygienic alternatives and thus has the power to lead the packaging industry onto new ways away from a crisis.
With a wide spread of this gentle, yet highly effective technology the company nanopool wants to contribute to finding solutions in the global waste- and environmental crisis.
While many companies are now busy green-washing their products and trying to hop on the current „eco-train“, the eco-friendly approach has been at the core of nanopool right from its beginning. Now it is time to pass on the green heart.
No matter if it is for industry customers, end consumers, or retailers who seek a private label – the np-Liquid Glass technology offers custom-made solutions for anyone. “Growing to become one team of green heroes”, is the motto.
