BERICAP’s BericapValve has won Packaging Europe’s Sustainability Award 2020 in the category “Recyclable Packaging”. The award recognizes and awards the major sustainability impact behind the small visible change to a 100 % silicone-free valve. Unlike conventional silicone valves, BERICAP’s product is made of TPE and does not contaminate the recycling stream with silicone. Its recyclability is top-rated and certified according to top-class institute standards such as bifa Umweltinstitut and Fraunhofer.

The 2020 Sustainability Award ceremony took place as an online event with the participation of industry representatives and sustainability organizations from around the globe. BERICAP, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plastic closures, won the award against five finalists. In its statement, the jury highlighted that the BericapValve is “made for recycling”.

Considering the entire recycling process, BERICAP eliminated a weak spot that has a huge negative impact on the whole cycle: the contamination of the PET material by silicone valves. BERICAP concluded that a change in material in the seemingly small valve away from the silicone would have significant positive effects on the entire process. This led to the ambitious and ultimately successful development of a completely new product: BericapValve. Made of TPE, it recycles within the HDPE (High-Density Polyethylen) and PP (Polypropylene) recycling stream without contaminating it while possessing the same properties as conventional valves. Just a small detail – but a game changer for recycling.

Suitable for a Broad Product Range

The BericapValve is available in BERICAP’s broad range of food closures and fits all common neck and standard flip-top closures. It can be utilized for sweet, sour and fat-containing products and ensures exact and clean dispensing. With this wide area of applications, the new valve is the sustainable alternative to conventional silicone valves which are currently used predominantly for ketchup, mayonnaise and other spreadables. The valve can be adjusted in material hardness and cutting geometry to any squeezable product. It is suitable for bottom-down or bottom-up usage.

In order to adapt the valve material appropriately, the BericapValve has undergone numerous internal tests. It has been tested and certified according to the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 of January 14, 2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

“The BericapValve meets today’s requirements on sustainability and environmental protection and has become one of the most important products within the KMS segment. Since several countries plan to impose penalties on recycling-damaging silicone components, our silicone-free valves, which do not contaminate the recycling stream, are part of a sustainable and economic future-proof packaging,” states Alexander Knipp, BERICAP Sales Director Food Closures & Business Segment Leader KMS.