The Netherlands-based DSM Engineering Materials has partnered with sustainability-focused start-up DiFold to develop foldable, reusable bottles to store liquids.
Adopting Arnitel-Eco, a bio-based, thermo-plastic co-polyester, marks a major step forward in DiFold’s mission to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste. The Bulgarian entity is a packaging and container manufacturing company.
Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, the patented and award-winning design of DiFold’s Origami Bottle means it can fold down to less than 10% of its original volume – greatly improving user convenience and reducing the carbon footprint of shipping.
The Origami Bottle provides a durable, reusable and recyclable alternative to single-use water bottles – helping to avoid plastic packaging waste. And because the bottles are made from DSM Engineering Materials’ Arnitel-Eco, the environmental benefits are even greater.
Arnitel-Eco is partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil. This significantly reduces the material’s cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions, delivering a carbon footprint reduction of up to 50% compared to traditional co-polyesters.
This measurement is based on an in-depth life cycle assessment (LCA), which includes every stage of the material’s production, from the growing of the feedstock crops to the finished product that leaves the factory.
These qualities make Arnitel-Eco a perfect fit for DiFold’s Origami Bottle. According to the co-founders of DiFold, Radina Popova and Petar Zaharinov, circularity and durability were the key factors to consider when choosing a material for their unique product. “We are happy to say that Arnitel-Eco offers the perfect balance of elasticity, plasticity and circularity,” they say.
Arnitel-Eco is BPA-free and can withstand temperatures of between -30°C and +100°C. It does not absorb the smells or tastes of liquids, giving it a long usable life.
Arnitel-Eco can also be recycled without any loss of quality in the recovered material. This is essential in helping DiFold to meet its goal of creating a closed-loop recycling system for its products.
As well as supplying the Arnitel-Eco material, DSM Engineering Materials offered DiFold sustainability advice, technical recommendations and regulatory compliance services.
DSM Engineering Materials is a global, purpose-led company in health, nutrition and bio-science, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet.
It has developed a wide range of engineering materials over the years to help its customers in support of a sustainable, low-carbon circular economy and has committed to making available bio- and/or recycled-based alternatives for its entire portfolio by 2030.
These circular materials help to de-fossilise the economy and society, reduce plastic waste and carbon footprint, and meet changing legislative and end-consumer demands.
For more information about Arnitel-Eco visit www.dsm.com/engineering-materials/en_US/products/arnitel/arnitel-eco.html.
