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German manufacturer of sustainable film solutions, RKW Group, has announced the expansion of its RKW Ecore product portfolio. As consumers look for more sustainable plastic packaging solutions, the RKW Ecore portfolio has been expanded to include mono-axially stretched PE films (MDO PE), marketed under the brand RKW Horizon. According to RKW Group, the Horizon product portfolio of MDO films is “unique worldwide” and includes transparent MDO films and print carriers, with oxygen barriers if needed, as well as white opaque variants. MDO PE films can be laminated with a functional PE sealing film, resulting in packaging made from a single raw material, polyethene. Unlike many conventional pouch packaging, the films are single-grade and are therefore fully recyclable. Luc Hermans, sales director of consumer packaging at RKW Group, said: "Especially as a manufacturer of high-quality plastic films, we are aware of our responsibility. That's why we have bundled our development resources and created a product portfolio that provides optimum protection for food. We are developing materials that meet the requirements for a smaller carbon footprint, improved recyclability and increased use of recycled plastics." The RKW Horizon films are designed to meet the high requirements of flexible packaging manufacturers in terms of tear resistance, transparency, gloss, printability and good processability. Additionally, the films are said to feature “excellent machinability” on conventional packaging equipment. MDO films can be used for a wide variety of packaging forms, such as stand-up pouches, gusseted pouches, pillow pouches, sachets and lid films. They can be utilised in the packaging of confectionery and snacks, coffee and tea as well as frozen foods, and can also be used in the non-food sector for the packaging of pet food, personal care products or cleaning and detergents. The new films are produced at RKW’s Petersaurach site in Bavaria, Germany. A recent investment into the site resulted in a new five-layer extrusion film line and a new nine-layer extrusion line to significantly expand the production capacities for high-quality sealing films and MDO PE films.