As industries worldwide strive to increase sustainability and reduce plastic waste, the need for practical solutions has never been greater. In the realm of woven plastic packaging for dry bulk goods, Starlinger offers an innovative approach: the “Circular Packaging” concept. This forward-thinking model creates closed-loop recycling systems for Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) and woven polypropylene sacks, minimizing waste and reducing dependence on virgin materials.
Starlinger’s cutting-edge technology allows for high levels of recycled content in woven polypropylene packaging or even the production of big bags made entirely from recycled PET.
Plastics as Part of the Solution
“The issue isn’t plastics—it’s how we manage them,” explains Harald Neumüller, Chief Sales Officer at Starlinger. “By implementing closed product loops, plastics can become one of the most sustainable packaging materials available.”
This principle forms the foundation of Starlinger’s Circular Packaging concept for FIBCs. The approach involves collecting and recycling used big bags, converting the recycled polypropylene (rPP) into new ones. This significantly reduces both waste and the reliance on virgin plastic.
To ensure rPP meets the stringent performance standards required for heavy-duty applications, Starlinger has developed specialized technologies. One such innovation is the SPB filter for tape extrusion, which guarantees a stable extrusion process and high-quality tapes with the required strength, elongation, and durability. “Recycling alone isn’t enough,” says Neumüller. “Recycled materials must perform as well as virgin materials.”
Sustainable Design and Compliance
Big bags are widely used across industries such as agriculture, construction, and chemicals, thanks to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio—a 1.5 kg bag can carry up to 1,500 kg of material. However, to maximize sustainability, Starlinger integrates “Design for Recycling” principles into their products.
This includes:
- Using mono-material constructions for easy recycling
- Minimizing excessive printing
- Ensuring removable labels and inliners
Such features streamline recycling while aligning with global environmental regulations, including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and Great Britain’s Plastic Packaging Tax.
100% Recycled PET: The Future of Big Bags
Leveraging its extensive expertise in PET recycling, Starlinger has pioneered big bags made from 100% recycled PET. Much like bottle-to-bottle recycling, this innovation enables big bag-to-big bag production, maintaining the same quality and durability as virgin resin.
PET big bags offer exceptional dimensional stability, thanks to their high tensile strength and creep modulus, making them ideal for long-term storage and bulk goods with high flow characteristics. They also provide a sustainable alternative to rigid plastic, metal, or cardboard Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs).
A Commitment to Resource Conservation
Starlinger’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond just recycling—it’s about creating a circular system where waste becomes the raw material for new, high-performance products. “The challenge isn’t just reducing waste,” says Neumüller. “It’s building a system where waste transforms into safe, strong, and sustainable packaging solutions.”
About Starlinger & Co Ges.m.b.H.
Founded in 1835, Starlinger is a global leader in machinery manufacturing for woven plastic packaging, plastics recycling, PET extrusion, and finishing. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, with production sites in Austria, Germany, and China, the company has been exporting its innovations worldwide for over 50 years, achieving an export quota of over 99.5%.
Starlinger operates sales and service centers in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, the United States, and Uzbekistan, ensuring swift technical support across 130+ countries.
Through innovation, sustainability, and expertise, Starlinger is leading the way in circular economy solutions for woven plastic packaging.
