50ENTREVISTA I INTERVIEW an already established development in many product categories, not only in the pharmaceutical sector; a possible improvement in recyclability could involve implementing single-material solutions. Based on this, we will present small modifications adapted to the needs of each client, just as we have been doing with conventional materials. As an example, we can talk about the shift to mono-PP, considered more recyclable, or the modification of current materials to improve their machinability characteristics (sealing, heat resistance, tear resistance related to film orientation). In the case of 100% PET blister packs, there are certain technical aspects that need improvement to ensure proper product extraction (push-through) while maintaining the overall seal and, therefore, the levels of protection. It’s a difficult balance to achieve, and we are working on optimizing it by applying different technologies. Can you explain why flexible doypack-type packaging is more sustainable than rigid packaging like an HDPE bottle? First, I would like to point out that packaging materials and types cannot be considered good or bad in a generalized way; each type of packaging has characteristics that must be evaluated based on each specific case and its particular needs. This evaluation must be done in a rigorous technical manner. In the case of environmental impact, it is essential to conduct a life cycle assessment by accredited organizations. In one of the projects we worked on, analyzing the packaging of 350g of a powdered product and comparing a rigid container with a zippered doypack, the carbon footprint data, expressed as grams of CO2 equivalent, are very revealing. The first aspect to consider is raw material consumption; the rigid container weighs 67.34g, while the doypack weighs 9.6g; both raw material extraction and processing costs are significantly higher in this comparison. Logistics also has a considerable impact. For the rigid container, transport from the manufacturer’s facilities to the packager’s is highly inefficient, as a large amount of air is transported; this is not the case with the doypack, since a single 2,000-meter roll allows for the production of almost 15,000 containers, drastically reducing transport requirements. The cost of distributing the final product is also affected, although to a lesser extent. Adding all these factors together, we achieve a reduction per package from 232 to 35 grams of CO2 equivalent, representing a decrease of over 85%. You have extensive experience in packaging. How do you see the current situation of the sector? What is the global standing of Spanish companies and Spanish research? The sector in Spain generates around 1.5-1.6 billion euros; it is a highly fragmented sector with many small or medium-sized Spanish family businesses (although there are exceptions), and subsidiaries of large multinationals. There is also a high degree of geographical concentration, with Catalonia and the Valencian Community as the main hubs. Spanish companies print with very high quality, both flexographically and rotogravure, and are very good at implementing customized solutions; I believe one of our main strengths is our proximity to clients: we know listen to them. Furthermore, I think we also excel in flexibility, adapting quickly to requirements. Part of this flexibility is our ability to work on not only long runs, but also medium and short runs. With a few exceptions, we are highly dependent on technology, since most of the innovation in materials comes from large international chemical groups; you could say we are much stronger in conversion than in basic chemicals. And in sustainability? We are well-positioned in sustainability, ecodesign, and recyclability, offering solutions to our clients’ needs. In this regard, it is worth highlighting the collaboration between companies and technology centers, which gives us a great capacity for specialized industrial transfer in environmental impact and collaborative models. Research is closely linked to industry, allowing the development of directly industrializable solutions and enabling almost immediate plant validation. We can say that Spanish research in flexible packaging is not leading the way in the development of disruptive new polymers, but rather in how to better utilize existing polymers, how to make them recyclable, how to adapt them to regulations, and how to bring them to market. It is worth highlighting that, within our business ecosystem, we also have examples of companies that have developed technology centers with a large, highly specialized workforce; this allows innovation to be not only scientific but, fundamentally, operational. In conclusion, we could say that we are at a pivotal moment where our ability to adapt to change, specifically to the new regulatory and technological framework, will represent a great opportunity for our companies.
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