Materials & Substances
From standard materials to those containing recycled or bio-based components: Learn more about the respective material properties, areas of application, and available certifications. We’ll show you what materials our packaging is made of and which technical and recycling-related properties are relevant for each application.
Compare materials, understand their properties.
Conventional materials offer the advantages of stability and versatility, but they often face environmental limitations. Recycled and bio-based materials provide a modern solution: Depending on the application, materials containing recycled or bio-based components can help reduce the use of virgin materials. The environmental impact must be assessed on a product-by-product basis.
Conventional materials
Conventional materials offer high stability and versatility - reliable, proven, and ready for immediate use.
Recycled & Bio-based Materials
Recycled and bio-based materials offer a variety of options for packaging solutions made from recycled or bio-based raw materials. Properties, recycled content, and applications vary depending on the material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different materials are used for packaging depending on the application. At Berlin Packaging Rixius GmbH, the product range includes PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and glass, among others. The appropriate choice of material depends, among other factors, on requirements for strength, chemical resistance, transparency, temperature resistance, weight, and the intended application.
PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP are different plastics, each with its own material properties. PET, for example, is often used for transparent packaging. HDPE and LDPE differ, among other things, in their density and mechanical properties. PP is characterized by its specific thermal and mechanical properties. The type of plastic that is suitable depends on the product, the filling process, and the conditions of use.
Depending on the product and design, packaging may be made partially or entirely from materials containing recycled content. This includes, for example, packaging made from rPET or other plastic packaging with a specified recycled content. The key factors are the actual percentage of recycled material and which component of the packaging the specification refers to.
Recycled material is material that has been recovered from previously used materials or products through a recycling process and is subsequently reused in new products. In the case of plastic packaging, a distinction must be made between post-consumer recycled material (PCR) and post-industrial recycled material (PIR). Information regarding the recycled content should refer to a clearly defined packaging unit or a specific component and must be verifiable.
Post-consumer recycled material (PCR) refers to recycled plastic derived from waste generated after the product or packaging has been used. The term should only be used if the origin of the material is properly verified and traceable throughout the supply chain.
Post-industrial recycled material (PIR) refers to recycled material from industrial production processes. PIR must be distinguished from post-consumer recycled material. When making statements about the recycled content, it should therefore be specifically stated which type of recycled material is involved.
here is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The technical properties of packaging depend on the specific material, the percentage of recycled content, the manufacturing process, and the respective product requirements. Therefore, factors such as mechanical properties, chemical resistance, temperature requirements, and the intended use must be taken into account when making a selection.
Bio-based plastics are produced from biological resources such as biomass feedstocks, organic waste, or byproducts. “Bio-based” does not automatically mean “biodegradable” or “compostable.” When communicating about bio-based plastics, the specific bio-based content should therefore be stated, and the property should be clearly described.
No, “bio-based” and “biodegradable” describe different properties. A plastic can be made from renewable or other biological raw materials without being biodegradable. Conversely, certain biodegradable plastics can also be made from fossil-based raw materials. The specific material properties of the product in question are therefore decisive.
The term “recyclable” should not be applied to packaging in a blanket manner. The decisive factor is whether the specific packaging, including its relevant components, can actually be fed into a suitable recycling process under the respective technical and practical conditions. When making such a claim, the underlying technical criteria and evidence must be taken into account.
That depends on the specific packaging. In addition to the base material, factors such as closures, labels, coatings, and other components play a role. A statement regarding recyclability should therefore always clearly indicate whether it refers to the entire packaging unit or only to a specific component.
In addition to the material’s technical properties, the product to be packaged, chemical compatibility, mechanical requirements, temperature conditions, the filling process, the desired appearance, and regulatory requirements are particularly relevant. When considering environmental and circular economy properties, reliable information on material composition, the proportion of recycled content, or recyclability should also be taken into account.
The right material cannot be determined based solely on the type of packaging. The key factors are the properties of the product being packaged, the requirements during filling, storage, and transport, and the desired packaging design. Berlin Packaging Rixius GmbH can help you select a suitable material and the right packaging solution.