The new standard for cheese interleavers: Monomaterial Paperlike

2025 was a year with a common thread throughout the countries we are in: turning sustainability into measurable results through science, regulatory compliance, applied innovation, and long term relationships with clients, allies, and associations. These were the most representative achievements.

Colombia

1) Altalene received a compliance validation through the ANLA for bags made out of 100% postconsumer PCR of national origin

Altalene, a Grupo Plastilene company, celebrated the compliance validation from the ANLA for plastic bags and pre-cut bags made out of 100% post consumer recycled plastic (PCR) of national origin. This validation has a direct impact on businesses and consumers alike: the bags are exempt from the plastic tax and are not considered prohibited under the single use plastic ban in Law 2232.

This result was built step by step, and adding to previous third party certifications such as the LOOP certification from the ICIPC and the ICONTEC certifications for Ciclolene® resins and for Altalene bags. Besides, it reinforces the fact that a packaging made out of PCR does not mean it has a lower performance. The bags are manufactured with postconsumer recycled material and can meet the same technical standards as virgin material.

With regards to the market, it is essential for those who buy and sell these bags to understand how compliance works, the bags:

• Must say that they are certified under the NTC 6632 so they can be exempt from this tax
• Must mention the supplier’s name (Altalene)
• Any person can look through ANLA’s page if the manufacturer is validated

Traceability is no minor detail: Law 2232 has severe sanctions for those who sell bags made out of 100% PCR if they are found to not uphold these standards. This approval is valid for three years, with annual reviews to ensure there is continuity to its compliance.

2) Andinapack: panel and a successful case study of the use of Water Quench technology for packaging with high barrier needs

At Andinapack 2025 we shared our successful case study of the Water Quench technology alongside W&H, ExxonMobil, Casablanca, and Pronaca. This project’s goal was to provide a clear solution to packaging with high barrier needs, especially in the dairy and meat industry.

For four years we worked collaboratively and looked for solutions that answered critical market questions:

• Food safety for 45 days
• Cost efficiency
• Puncture resistance
• Total transparency

Water quench translates into a high quality transparent film produced with a bubble that is cooled down using water. The validation came with proof: Casablanca (Colombia) and Pronaca (Ecuador) tested these structures for dairy and meat, and today they are amongst the first companies to adopt them in the region. In our customer’s words:

“I can’t imagine distributing deli cuts, pork, or chicken in glass or cardboard… the first decision maker at the point of sale is freshness, and a plastic film that can guarantee a complete perception of the product is a home run”

The panel was also a sign of regional opportunity: having this technology closer (in Colombia and the US) as well as at distribution centers (Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala) it is easier to have a fast response and turn it into a scalable opportunity in the Americas.

Guatemala

1) Measuring to manage: participating in the carbon footprint calculator for the plastic sector

In Guatemala we took an important step, taking sustainability into the evidence territory. Even though the country does not have a legislation that forces carbon footprint measuring. The plastics sector decided to act voluntarily and promote its measurement and management. Throughout this process Coguaplast and Green Development created a calculator and brought Grupo Plastilene in to review and adjust the technical model, backed by our experience with GHG inventories and carbon footprint measurements since 2018. The result was a tool that facilitates the first step for companies that want to improve with science based data and that also opens the possibility of new business opportunities, improved reputation, and lowering risk.

2) Technofilms began a dialogue with the authorities: circular economy and evidence in the plastics conversation

On July 25th, 2025, at the Technofilms plant in Guatemala, we welcomed a delegation of representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, and the Environment, alongside the team that would represent the country at the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland. The visit was coordinated with the support of the Chamber of Industry and Coguaplast, and its objective was to get to know our circular economy model and open a more informed dialogue about the role of flexible packaging in sustainability.

During the event we emphasized a key concept: the most sustainable solution is not absolute, it is dependent on the context, need, and specific conditions of each application. Through concrete examples (such as UHT packaging, special laminates, and high performance developments) we proved how certain plastic packaging can, contrary to popular belief, be more sustainable compared to other alternatives when they are analyzed from an integral supply chain perspective.

Ecuador

1) “Innovation for a sustainable future”: an event that connected science, sustainability, and collaboration

Quito was the meeting point of an event that reaffirmed that sustainability works when it brings together technical innovation, operational discipline, and human relationships. From the Agroplásticos plant, we brought employees, allies, customers, organizations, and panelists together to share tangible developments.

Amongst the most relevant were:

• Rodrigo Restrepo presenting Paperlike and new developments: monomaterial films and technical substitutes for hard to recycle structures, that are already in use in categories such as dairy, bakery, and meat.
• Stefano Pacini reinforced the Group’s vision of responsibility that opens doors of demanding markets and with a clear message: innovating means insisting, failing, learning, and moving forward.
• Yohana García connected innovation with culture and methodology: creativity as a spark, discipline as the guiding compass, and the importance of labs equipped to experiment and accelerate ideas into real products.
• Ricardo Estrada put the work of the Group in context in regards to regulatory global frameworks, like the Global Plastics Treaty, highlighting the role of organizations to push regulations that are based on science. He also highlighted how Reciclene and EPR turn waste management into a lever for innovation and more inclusive value chains

The event also showcased results when it comes to responsible end of life mangement: Agroplásticos surpassed the Environmental Ministry’s goal for recovery of greenhouse plastics, and our partners shared how formalization and traceability turn into better work conditions and more jobs. Sustainability was framed as a supply chain strategy as well: from recycling and EPR, to conversations with organizations and realistic regulations that were science based.

Finally, the event was made better by key external viewpoints that brought the perspective of the entire supply chain: Alejandro Martínez (Expoflores Ecuador), María Paz Jervis (Chamber of Industries and Production) and environmental managers such as Emilio Sánchez and Álvaro San Pedro (San Pedro/Aybel Recycling). They all shared what their challenges and learning outcomes have been from within the territory. Their presence was reinforced by a transversal messaging during the event: sustainability is not held up alone, it is a team effort, with industries, organizations, managers, customers, authorities, and consumers that are all working towards circularity going from a talking point to a practice.

2) Event with the Southern Flower Grower Corporation: closing the loop on greenhouse plastics and making connections with managers

The second great moment we had in Ecuador was leading, alongside the Southern Flower Grower Corporation (CFS), presenting their closed loop model for greenhouse plastics and bridging the gap between flower growers and waste managers. This was a great opportunity for networking with one main idea: sustainability is not an “extra” it is a way to innovate, improve competition, integrate ecodesign principles, circular economy, and collaboration between industries.

United States

1) Paperlike on stage: its debut at PackExpo and K Fair alongside DOW

In 2025, Paperlike had great visibility in two international stages: PackExpo (Las Vegas) and K Fair (Düsseldorf), being showcased at DOW Chemical’s stand. More than a showcase, it was proof that long-term partnerships can amplify capabilities: Paperlike was presented as part of the sustainable innovation strategy to replace laminated paper or multimaterials, maintaining performance and process stability.

The fairs also provided diverse learning outcomes:

• PackExpo: conversations focused on quick adoption (“how”), compatibility without redesigning a plant, time, and total cost of adoption
• K Fair: a wider vision (“why”) with a focus on a life cycle, regulations, PCR with food contact, and recovery routes

The priority applications are clear: bakery, meat (bacon board), dairy (cheese interleavers), and frozen food. The ending was strong: genuine interest, regional roadmaps, and priorities to turn conversations into pilot projects.

2) NextCycle + Caruso: ReTray as an alternative and recognizing innovation

The second great achievement in the US was the acceleration with NextCycle in partnership with Caruso USA and our development of the ReTray (Recyclable Tray), a tray made of Paperlike material to replace EPS (styrofoam), a material that is banned in several states.

ReTray maintains a key performance feature of EPS (moisture and grease barrier) and has strategic advantages: compatibility with existing.