Virgin plastic is plastic made from fossil raw materials that have not previously been used or processed. This means that virgin plastic is a completely new and clean form of plastic that is produced directly from raw materials and has not been in use with consumers before. The material is therefore produced from scratch and is often used in products where high demands are placed on quality, strength and uniformity.

There are many different types of virgin plastic with different properties. The plastic can be both soft and flexible or hard and form-stable depending on the type. The material is used, among other things, for the production of bottles, containers, tubes and various types of packaging. In addition, virgin plastic is also used in the textile industry, for example for sportswear and other synthetic textiles.

The manufacture of plastics is an energy-intensive process and is closely linked to the extraction of fossil resources. About 4% of the world's total oil production is used for the production and processing of plastics. The production of virgin plastic typically begins with the distillation of crude oil at an oil refinery, where the crude oil is heated and split into different constituents. Among the products extracted during the process, it is especially gas oil and naphtha, which are used as raw materials in the manufacture of plastics.

These raw materials are subsequently converted through chemical processes into the polymers that form the basis of many different types of plastics. In this way, virgin plastic can be produced with specific properties that make the material suitable for a wide range of applications, including packaging and other plastic products. You can see our range of packaging made from virgin plastic in our product catalogue

Ocean Waste Plastic is man-made plastic waste that unfortunately ends up in the world's oceans and contributes to the growing challenge of plastic pollution in the ocean.

Plastic can end up in the oceans for many different reasons. Often this is done by debris being left on land and then carried on by wind, rain and streams until it eventually ends up in the sea. In some cases, plastic waste is also deliberately dumped directly into the ocean.
Every year, an estimated 8—10 million tonnes of plastic are released into the oceans, which is equivalent to millions of plastic items ending up in the ocean every single day.

Many of the plastic products most commonly found in the oceans are single-use plastics. This applies, among other things, to packaging, bags, bottles and other products that are designed to be used only once.

Disposable packaging is often considered less valuable because it is not intended for reuse. Therefore, it is also more often thrown out in a way that increases the risk of it ending up in the wild and ultimately in the sea.

When single-use plastics and plastic packaging are not handled properly, it can contribute to the global challenge of plastics in the ocean, which affects both the marine environment, wildlife and ecosystems.

Bioplastic is a plastic made from biomass, such as corn, sugar cane or algae. Unlike traditional plastics, which are produced from fossil raw materials, bioplastics are based on renewable materials. Bioplastics can have different properties and in some cases may be recyclable, biodegradable or compostable. However, it is important to be aware that not all types of bioplastics are automatically degraded in nature.

The production of bioplastics can have several environmental consequences. Growing the plants used for biomass often requires pesticides, chemical fertilizers and intensive agriculture, which can lead to soil and aquatic pollution. At the same time, it can be debated whether it is expedient to produce plastics from crops, which are also used for food. When agricultural land is used for plastic production, it can create competition with food production and thus affect resource consumption.

The production of bioplastics can in some cases emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional plastics production, as plants take up CO₂ from the atmosphere during their growth. When bioplastics are later incinerated, the same amount of CO₂ is emitted that the plants have previously absorbed. Therefore, the overall climate burden may be lower compared to plastics made from fossil raw materials.

In this way, bioplastics may appear to be a better choice for the climate than ordinary plastics. However, factors such as transport, energy consumption and cultivation methods play a significant role in the overall environmental impact. Bioplastics made from residues or waste products often have a lower climate burden than bioplastics produced from new crops, especially if the biomass is grown abroad and has to be transported over long distances. In addition, the production of bioplastics itself can be more energy-intensive than the manufacture of traditional plastics. For example, the production of compostable plastic bags can require up to 2.7 times more energy than the production of ordinary plastic bags.

It can therefore be difficult to unequivocally conclude whether bioplastics are more or less environmentally friendly than traditional plastics, also called virgin plastics. The environmental impact largely depends on raw materials, production methods, transport and how the material is subsequently handled and disposed of.

Recycled plastic is plastic that has been collected, sorted and recycled so that the material can be used again in new products or packaging. It is considered a more environmentally friendly packaging solution, as recycled plastics can help reduce both waste volumes and CO₂ emissions. Therefore, many manufacturers are increasingly choosing to use recycled plastics in their products to reduce the consumption of new, fossil raw materials.

At the same time, the demand for more sustainable packaging solutions has increased among consumers. When plastic is recycled, it can contribute to a significant reduction in the climate burden. For example, recycling 1000 kg of plastic can save up to approximately 1500 kg of CO₂ compared to the production of new plastics.

Plastics, among other things, consist of monomers, which are small molecules that bond together into longer chains and form polymers. The composition of these monomers has an impact on how easily the plastic can be recycled. The number and type of monomers in the material affects how efficiently the plastic can be sorted and recycled.

In order for plastics to be recycled most efficiently, the material should preferably consist of one type of monomer. Plastics with one uniform composition are considered a pure material and are therefore much better suited for recycling. Pure plastic is easier to sort and can be included in new products to a greater extent without losing quality.