UFlex has revolutionized tube packaging with its innovative brand FLEXITUBES that overcomes the limitation of the present conventional tube packaging format and creates endless possibilities for the brand. A first-of-its-kind eco-friendly paper-based tubes – KRAFTIKA is the latest entrant from FLEXITUBES which has been designed for a positive impact on the environment as well as consumers by reducing the use of plastic at source. We touched upon some exciting areas related to the paper-based tube during our recent interaction with Ish Dhawan, general manager – sales and product development, FLEXITUBES at UFlex. Here is an excerpt from the interaction.

Mahan Hazarika: What was the need for launching a paper-based tube (KRAFTIKA FLEXITUBES)?

Ish Dhawan: World over, people are looking for sustainable packaging solutions for different applications. The need to develop a tube that has multiple attributes and doesn’t harm the environment has been long felt now. We are all aware of the kind of pollution that wrongful disposal of plastics has caused. Various efforts are being taken, such as bans, higher charges for using plastic, but we felt that there was a need to create something that will limit the use of plastics to a bare minimum, thereby reducing the problem at the core. This is where the idea of creating an eco-friendly tube range called ECOFLEX was born.

The first in the series, KRAFTIKA has been developed with the basic approach to reduce the use of plastic in a tube and replace it with sustainable material with the same attributes yet not compromising on its functionality. In the case of FLEXITUBES, apart from providing barrier application and sealing properties, the plastic also provides weight and body to the tube. With the replacement of plastic with paper, while the use of plastic provides the required barrier and sealing, the paper used delivers the majority weight to the tube body.

Mahan Hazarika: KRAFTIKA tube uses moisture-resistant Kraft paper sandwiched between layers of plastic – how recyclable is KRAFTIKA looking at its paper-plastic combination?

Ish Dhawan: The development of first-of-its-kind eco-friendly paper-based tube– KRAFTIKA from FLEXITUBES has been primarily done with the concept of REDUCE. The FSC certified kraft paper is sandwiched between layers of plastic. The individual layers cannot be separated post-production; hence it does not qualify into the recyclable stream. However, further R&D is being done to increase the non-plastic percentage and bring it closer to the 50% mark of the total tube weight to qualify directly into the recyclable stream.

Mahan Hazarika: The plastic and Kraft paper used in the tube are developed in-house or sourced from the market?

Ish Dhawan: The plastic layer is developed in-house, whereas the FSC certified virgin kraft paper has been specifically developed as per our requirement through our partners.

Mahan Hazarika: How far can paper replace plastics?

Ish Dhawan: In a typical tube, three major components constitute the tube weight – tube body, also known as sleeve, shoulder and cap. We have been able to reduce the plastic component in the tube body by almost 60% by weight. Further developments are being done to reduce the plastic component in caps and shoulders.

On another note, paper cannot replace plastic completely. While companies such as ours are working towards introducing and creating more sustainable packaging, there is a long way to go to ensure that paper packaging has the same efficiency and functionality of plastic packaging. By reducing the percentage of plastic used in packaging, we are a step closer to achieving the goals of more sustainable packaging

Mahan Hazarika: What challenges can the physical and chemical properties of a paper present? At what level have you been successful in overcoming those?

Ish Dhawan: Since paper does not offer the same barrier properties, the paper we use in the tube is sandwiched between two layers of plastic; hence there is no direct contact of content packed inside or ingredients with paper. The inside layer of plastic has got barrier properties; this will ensure absolutely no or minimal impact of paper onto the products being packed and vice versa.

Mahan Hazarika: How promising is the market for paper-based tubes?

Ish Dhawan: A few studies have established that there is a growing consciousness among Indian consumers about sustainable packaging, which also alters their buying patterns. What has also been researched and reported is that the packaging consumption in India increased by 200% from the previous year, and it has risen from 4.3 kg per person per annum (pppa) to 8.6 kg pppa. In fact, a research by global market research firm Mintel states that 44% of Indians would like to see more brands implementing sustainability practices, so there is definitely a lot of scope for producing paper-based tubes.

With the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging, the demand for KRAFTIKA tubes will definitely grow and will be a significant contributor to our range of sustainable tube packaging – ECOFLEX. I am confident that it will prove to be a game-changer to address the issue of rising plastic waste around us and help many brands get closer to their sustainability goals.