Constantia and Evonik win German Packaging Award

Constantia Flexibles and Evonik have received the German Packaging Award 2026 in the sustainability category for TEGO Res 1100, a deinking technology that improves the removal of printing inks from flexible plastic packaging during mechanical recycling.

TEGO Res 1100 is a co-binder for solvent-based printing inks developed by Evonik and integrated directly into existing ink systems, requiring no changes to packaging structures or printing processes.

Constantia Flexibles evaluated the technology across a range of flexible packaging laminate structures, including EcoLamPlus, a mono-material polyethylene laminate from its Ecolutions portfolio that has received H2R Prequalification and APR Recognition. Testing showed that printability, ink adhesion, seal performance and abrasion resistance were maintained.

The technology can also be applied to polyethylene-based EcoLam and EcoLamHighPlus structures as well as polypropylene-based EcoVer products.

The two companies have been working together on the project since August 2024. The award will be presented at the German Packaging Award ceremony in November 2026.

'Better removal of printing inks can help produce cleaner recyclates and create more options for future applications,' said Stefan Büttner, vice president and head of CC Polymer Films and Functional Papers R&D at Constantia Flexibles. 'We are proud that our joint work with Evonik on this challenge has been recognized with the German Packaging Award.'

'The project demonstrates how close cooperation across the value chain can accelerate the development and adoption of packaging solutions designed for a circular economy,' said Hendrik Rasch, responsible for circular packaging and plastics recycling in Evonik's Next Markets Program.