Sustainable films that maintain performance.
Our sustainable films maintain great structure, sturdiness and print quality. We’ll help you reach your environmental goals by adding recycled-content or bio-based resins to your packaging.
Recycle-Ready SmartLam
SmartLam
SmartLam is a high-performance, recyclable family of films developed to replace the aesthetic and function of PET. They have low seal temperatures, strong seals and are a great choice for a variety of package styles and sizes. SmartLam is available in matte, gloss, satin and spot gloss finishes.
How2Recycle
Integrating packaging into your local recycling stream is the first step towards a circular economy. Certified How2Recycle labels provide clear guidance to consumers on to properly dispose of their packaging including local store drop-off options. We’ll help you navigate the certification and labelling processes.
Recycled Content
Post-Consumer Resin (PCR)
FDA-Approved PCR is made of recycled food-grade plastics that are extensively cleaned for incorporation into food packaging. You can confidently incorporate this type of PCR into your packaging without impacting freshness or safety.
Advanced PCR
Advanced Recycling PCR is chemically recycled material that’s extremely resilient, high-quality and indistinguishable from virgin resin.
Post-Industrial Resin (PIR)
As a lower-cost alternative to PCR, PIR is made of blended plastic that’s a byproduct of the extrusion and slitting manufacturing process. We mix and match recovered food-grade films to maximize their efficiency and impact.
Bio-Based Resins
Sugarcane
Sugarcane resin, also known as green polyethylene, is an effective renewable alternative to traditional films. It’s created by processing sugars to create an impactful plastic film with the same flexible qualities as conventional PE.
Starch-Based
Starch-based materials can be combined with conventional films to reduce the amount of plastic required in your packaging. They’re made by processing naturally starchy substances like potatoes and rice to create a renewable resin.
It’s easier than ever to make greener choices. We can create all of our packaging products with sustainable films.
Go green with our support.
As sustainability leaders, we’ve been pioneering green solutions since 2000. Get cost-effective sustainable packaging that connects with consumers – backed by our proven record of reducing your supply chain’s environmental footprint.
33%
Electricity
42%
CO²
92%
Water
*2021 Sustainability Impact Report
Frequently asked questions
Get answers to popular questions on packaging, process and more.
-
What are your standard lead times?
Lead times are based on where the product is being shipped to, but typically on repeat orders, standard have-ready lead times are:
- Surface print rollstock – 4 weeks
- Lamination rollstock – 5 weeks
- Bottom gusset pouches – 6 weeks
- Box pouch and quad seals – 7 weeks
We will be happy to work with you to meet your lead time needs. At Emmerson Packaging, we understand the importance of hitting your launch dates. That’s why we offer rock-solid on-time guarantee — if you miss a launch date and it’s our fault, we’ll pay a penalty fee.
-
What is your minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantities per product type are typically (but may vary depending on the specifications of your item):
- Rollstock and Pouches – 25,000 PC per SKU
- Box Pouches – 30,000 pc per family, 10,000 PC per SKU
- Quad bags – 10,000 per SKU per order.
As we are strategically set up to manufacture large-scale orders, most quotes start with the following annual impressions, but our experts can discuss this more with you:
- Pet food – 1 million
- Frozen food rollstock – 10 million
- Frozen food pouches – 5 million
- Towel and tissue – 10 million
-
What is your on-time delivery rate?
We boast a 98+% on-time delivery rate. We’re so confident in our ability to deliver your project on time, we offer a rock-solid New Product Launch Guarantee. If you miss a launch date and it’s our fault, we’ll pay a penalty fee! Learn more about our On-Time Guarantee today: On-Time Guarantee | Emmerson Packaging
-
Is Emmerson packaging food grade?
Yes. All our packaging is FDA-approved, and our facilities are SQF Edition 8: Level 2 certified. You can access a copy of our most up to date SQF certifications here:
-
How can I understand the best packaging options to meet my goals?
We have Research and Development and Graphics teams that will work with you to understand and provide technical expertise, along with concept and design support to ensure that your goals are met. Complete our contact us form to coordinate a meeting today!
-
What sets Emmerson Packaging apart from other manufacturers in terms of sustainability?
- We have been producing sustainable, recycle-ready stand-up pouches since 2019
- We offer a team of dedicated sustainable packaging R&D experts to ensure that you can meet your packaging goals.
- Beyond packaging innovations, our manufacturing facilities have long concentrated on sustainability initiatives, and we are SQF level 2 Certified.
- We were the first flexographic printer in North America to adopt ISO 14001 in order to guide the creation of our environmental management system.
- We were also the first Sustainable Green Printer (SGP) in Canada and the 6th in the US.
- Our products are peanut free – and we have complete product traceability!
-
What do I need to know about PCR?
- PCR materials come from plastic products that have been recycled, collected, cleaned, reprocessed into PCR resin, and then made into something new. An example of products that are used to create PCR resin would be HDPE, milk jugs.
- PCR provides excellent packaging sustainability benefits, but they may impact print quality and/or film consistency. If the package is a lamination of two substrates, the PCR can be added to the substrate that is not being printed, and the print will not be compromised. However, if the specification is one substrate and not laminated, the PCR film may impact the graphics. One of the compromises of PCR is the presence of gels or unmelts which are areas that do not melt uniformly. They will show up as small hard spots. These gels will affect print as the ink will pool around the hard spots.
- Emmerson Packaging offers 15 – 25% content. Although 100% PCR packaging is available, the resin does not melt uniformly. As a result, there can be unmelts and gels present, which are small un-melted areas in the sealant film. To minimize this impact, we advise limiting the amount of PCR in the product.
-
Do you make your own film?
Yes, we make our own polyethylene films. You can choose from clear, white, or add visual impact from our line of matte finish PE films
-
Do you make your own plates?
Yes, we make our own plates in-house using an ESKO HD workflow