Recently, the 700 ml refill pouch of Magiclean Natural Essence Floor Cleaner was launched in a mono-material packaging format designed to be recyclable as a whole pack. This marks another important milestone in the evolution of consumer packaging in Thailand, demonstrating how performance and sustainability can be achieved simultaneously.
SCGC™ HDPE H619F — one of the key enablers behind the recyclable-design refill pouch for "Magiclean" floor cleaner. A resin developed for the print layer of MDO-PE film. Learn more about SCGC™ HDPE H619F
This achievement was made possible through collaboration across the entire value chain—from the brand owner and packaging and film developers to material suppliers and manufacturing technology experts. Together, they transformed a conventional multi-material packaging structure into a packaging solution predominantly based on polyethylene materials, enabling more efficient mechanical recycling.
The Challenge of Designing Mono-Material Packaging
While mono-material packaging offers greater recyclability, developing a solution that can perform reliably in commercial applications is far from straightforward. This is particularly true for household refill products, which require a combination of strength, stiffness, high-quality printability, and the ability to withstand manufacturing, filling, distribution, and end-use conditions throughout the product lifecycle.
Traditionally, such packaging structures have relied on multiple materials, such as BOPA (biaxially oriented polyamide) film or BOPET (biaxially oriented polyester) film as the print web, laminated with LLDPE as the sealing layer. While these structures deliver the required performance, their recyclability is limited because different material layers must be separated before recycling can take place.
The key challenge, therefore, is to maintain packaging performance while significantly improving recyclability.
MDO-PE Film: A Key Technology Enabling Packaging Designed for Recyclability
One of the technologies playing a critical role in this transition is MDO-PE (Machine Direction Oriented Polyethylene) film. Through a stretching process in the machine direction, the film achieves enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability compared with conventional PE film.
These properties allow MDO-PE to function as a printable layer, providing an alternative to non-polyethylene materials traditionally used in packaging structures.
As a result, MDO-PE has emerged as a key enabling technology for the development of mono-material packaging solutions across a wide range of consumer goods applications.
SCGC™ HDPE H619F: Supporting the Print Layer
For the Magiclean floor cleaner pouch, SCGC™ HDPE H619F was used in the print layer of the MDO-PE film. Specifically designed for MDO-PE film production, H619F provides excellent stiffness and dimensional stability, helping the packaging maintain its shape while delivering strong overall performance. In addition, its clarity and gloss enhance print quality and elevate the product's visual appeal.
In addition, H619F demonstrates strong thermal resistance throughout printing, converting, and sealing processes. This allows packaging manufacturers to develop solutions that meet both performance requirements and recyclability objectives simultaneously.
From Technology Development to Commercial Reality
SCGC developed SCGC™ HDPE H619F to support the production of MDO-PE film for packaging designed for recyclability. The material has already been proven in multiple commercial applications.
Its implementation in the Magiclean refill pouch represents another important milestone, demonstrating that mono-material packaging solutions are ready to meet the performance demands of large-scale consumer goods applications.
At the same time, the project highlights the potential of packaging designed for recyclability without compromising commercial viability and functional performance.
Enabling the Next Generation of Packaging
The success of this project not only demonstrates the capability of SCGC™ HDPE H619F in MDO-PE film production for mono-material packaging but also creates opportunities for brand owners and packaging manufacturers to expand packaging designed for recyclability into other product categories, including Home Care, Personal Care, Refill Packaging, and a broad range of consumer goods.
SCGC remains committed to advancing polymer innovation and packaging solutions that advance recyclable packaging design, balancing performance, consumer needs, and the industry's sustainability goals—helping shape the future of packaging.
