The International Ice Cream Consortium (IICC) has recognised Diplom-Is’s Royal ice cream packaging with its annual award for best packaging solution.

The recognition highlights a range of design and material innovations aimed at improving recyclability and production efficiency.

Advancing recycling with non-carbon black plastics

A significant factor in the award was the adoption of non-carbon black plastics in the packaging. Unlike traditional carbon black, which is not easily detected by recycling systems, the newly adopted material is compatible with Near Infra-Red (NIR) scanners used in waste sorting.

This change enables the packaging to be recycled more effectively.

According to Diplom-Is Packaging Developer Almantas Dubra, the shift to non-carbon black has allowed up to 130 tonnes of plastic annually to become recyclable.

The material features a specialised pigment blend designed to optimise detection during the recycling process.

Reducing waste in production

The Royal packaging design was also modified to address production inefficiencies.

A new container design prevents individual boxes from sticking together during manufacturing, a problem that previously contributed to plastic waste. Diplom-Is has reported a marked reduction in waste since implementing this adjustment.

Dubra commented, “We are constantly striving for improvement, and our work on the Royal portfolio exemplifies this.”

Broader implications for packaging design

This development reflects wider efforts in the food industry to improve packaging sustainability.

Materials and designs that facilitate recycling and reduce production waste are increasingly seen as essential in meeting environmental targets. As recycling technology continues to advance, similar innovations could become standard in packaging design across various sectors.

For further details on non-carbon black plastics and their role in recycling, industry sources provide extensive insights into the technology and its potential applications.