Alier, 2023

Alier, one of the leading cardboard recyclers, has opened a new line of work focused on the valorization of non-cellulosic waste from the recycling of Tetra Pak-type packaging. This fraction, known as Polyal, consists of a mixture of polyethylene and aluminum and presents major limitations for conventional recycling due to its multilayer structure and the difficulty of material separation.

Based on this complex stream, different material typologies have been designed using Polyal, adjusting formulations and properties to meet a range of technical and application requirements. These alternatives have been validated for incorporation into a wide variety of industrial processes, ensuring production compatibility and scaling potential.

The work was completed with a comprehensive characterization of the material from three perspectives—technical, environmental, and experiential—also incorporating finish design and quality perception. Finally, market pathways were defined to guide commercial introduction, linking each material typology to target applications, performance levels, and criteria for real-world product implementation.