Sun Chemical (Troy Hills, N.J., USA) has joined CEFLEX, the collaborative European consortium of companies and associations representing the entire flexible packaging value chain. This important initiative will facilitate increasing amounts of consumer flexible packaging to be recycled and Sun Chemical is looking forward to actively contributing and leveraging its global R&D resources in supporting the project to shape the flexible packaging market for the future.

"Developing more sustainable flexible packaging solutions designed for a circular economy has become a global issue. A collaborative initiative encompassing the whole industry, as CEFLEX does, therefore has the best chance of making a real impact on resolving these issues and we are keen to play our part in this important joint venture," comments Felipe Mellado, Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Chemical. "As a global supplier of both printing inks and lamination adhesives, Sun Chemical is uniquely placed to contribute to the development of next-generation structures and products that will drive the circular economy for flexible packaging and assist in our customers meeting their sustainability goals."

Representing the full spectrum of the value chain, from materials producers to converters and printers, to brand owners, retailers and specialized recycling companies, the membership of CEFLEX has grown to over 100 companies and organizations since the consortium was established. Sun Chemical said it is fully committed to supporting the CEFLEX vision of establishing a comprehensive sustainability and circular economy roadmap for flexible packaging by 2020. The roadmap will include widely recognised design guidelines and a robust approach to measure, demonstrate, and communicate the significant value flexible packaging adds to the circular economy. By 2025 CEFLEX will support the development of a collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure across Europe for flexible packaging based on end-of-life technologies and processes that deliver the best economic and environmental outcome for a circular economy via a robust business case for investment and successful pilot projects to proof the concept.