Approved by RecyClass, Aptar’s SimpliCycle™ valve helps brands achieve their sustainability goals while maintaining the same high-performance of silicone valves

— By: Alok Dutta, EMEA Regional President at Aptar Closures

Aptar Closures has been the industry leader in providing flow control dispensing solutions for more than 25 years. Its award-winning SimpliCycle recyclable valve is driving sustainability to the forefront of packaging innovation, and in September 2022, RecyClass confirmed its full compatibility with polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recycling streams. RecyClass is a non-profit, cross-industry initiative facilitating the transition toward a circular plastic economy in Europe. The organization published Design for Recycling Guidelines and, in partnership with independent laboratories, evaluates a variety of products to assess their ability to be recycled.

The RecyClass approval provides brands with confirmation that Aptar closures featuring the SimpliCycle valve can directly contribute toward their full packaging recyclability goals. As a result, this summer, SimpliCycle has launched in a variety of dispensing closures with brands in several consumer end markets in Europe.

In addition to being approved by RecyClass in Europe, SimpliCycle also received the Critical Guidance Recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) in North America in 2021. These achievements are evidence of Aptar’s continued dedication to collaborating with our customers to bring more sustainable products to market, enabling brands to contribute to a more circular economy. This is good news for brands, fillers, recyclers, and consumers, all of whom are looking for plastic packaging to be more sustainable.

SimpliCycle’s Performance Advantage

SimpliCycle maintains all the same advantages of Aptar’s Silicone and Swimming® Silicone valves, providing the highest level of cleanliness, control, and convenience throughout the consumers’ dispensing experience.

For over two decades, we have perfected valve functionality to ensure maximum flow control and clean dispensing, providing consumers with the convenience of getting precise amounts of product while avoiding drips, leaks or spills. SimpliCycle consistently provides a clean product cut-off, whether it’s the first or last squeeze of a package, while the closure remains clean and hygienic throughout the package’s life.

SimpliCycle’s versatility in valve diameter ensures optimal dispensing performance for a range of product viscosities, from water to peanut butter and everything in between. Additionally, SimpliCycle is made from a material that makes it highly compatible with a wide variety of oil-based and high-acid food products like mayo and ketchup. When assembled into an Aptar closure, the SimpliCycle valve provides a fully recyclable and high-performance solution for use with either PET, PP or HDPE containers.

SimpliCycle was honored to be awarded the best CSR/Sustainability Initiative in 2021 by World Food Innovation Awards and received the prestigious 2022 WorldStar Global Packaging Award for packaging innovation as well as the 2022 AmeriStar Award in the Sustainable Packaging category.

SimpliCycle is rolling out to Aptar’s entire dispensing closure product range and can currently be ordered in the 31-400 Ultra PS, Polka, PolkaLite and Dolce product lines.