Multitubes is an extruded plastic tube manufacturer serving the cosmetic, food, pharma & industrial markets. Multitubes was founded by the Rensen Family in Amsterdam in 1999. With production facilities in the Netherlands & Belgium and sales offices throughout Europe Multitubes has established a key position amongst European Tube manufacturers.
The company’s philosophy – sustainability, innovation & quality – are the fundaments of their existence that have evolved Multitubes into becoming one of Europe’s leading tube manufacturers. Multitubes’ team currently exists of 110 enthousiast employees.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
MULTITUBES: Extruded tube packaging, injection molded closures and custom projects.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
MULTITUBES: We offer two different streams of rPE.
Stream 1 is a post-consumer recycled LDPE/LLDPE stream which is closed-loop and clean. As it is gained from Dutch pallet bags that are used by manufacturers.
This is 100% post-consumer (we have this certified by Ecoloop). Therefore, it is by definition not food-approved.
We however, have the possibility to produce our tubes in several layers (5-layers and 7-layers). We can also adjust the thickness of each layer. Meaning we can produce a thin inside layer of virgin material that is in contact with your product.
The other layers we can fill-up with PCR (total percentage of 80% PCR) and we can put an EVOH barrier in between the virgin layer and PCR layer (total percentage of 57% PCR).
The 2nd attachment will clarify the options;
- 23% PCR, within the middle layers of the tube. Leaving the tubes very white, avoiding PCR contact with product
- 57% PCR, (bio)virgin inner-layer, EVOH protection barrier (<5%), PCR outside layer. Avoiding PCR contact with product and protection from migration.
- 80% PCR, (bio)virgin inner-layer. Avoiding PCR contact with product.
- 100% PCR.
The inside layer, that is in contact with your product, can be produced in virgin BIO material or from our pre-consumer recycled stream, which is food approved;
Stream 2, this pre-consumer recycled stream mentioned above, is a waste stream that we control ourselves from A to Z.
We collect all our production waste and regrind this in-house on our dedicated recycling line.
We documented this process and made short video which you can see by clicking here.
We separate our streams in different colors; pure white, light colored and dark colored. By doing so we can offer tubes which are white or colored in the same brightness as virgin materials.
Due to this material, you can have different options of recycled packaging whilst your product is not in touch with post-consumer recycled material;
Example 1. Inside layer Pre-CR PE – EVOH barrier (or not) – Post-CR PE outside layer = 100% recycled plastic, 57% post-consumer recycled plastic, food-grade inner-layer
Example 2. Fully produced in Pre-CR PE = 100% recycled plastic, food-grade pack
All this recycled content can also be combined with a tube designed for recyclability, which is 100% recyclable.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
MULTITUBES: Extruded tube packaging, injection molded closures and custom projects.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
MULTITUBES: In a possitive switch towards more sustainable solutions.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
MULTITUBES: As mentioned; sustainability is becoming more and more important.
Think of; bio-based, recycled or mono-material.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
MULTITUBES: THÉ SUSTAINABLE ANSWER TO ABL;
Many brands use ABL due to their demand of a high-barrier (like toothpaste for example).
However, ABL is a recycling nightmare due to its multi-material composition.
As mentioned earlier, we offer (as world’s first) 7-layered extrusion tubes. With this technique we’re able to offer ABL-matching barriers, whilst having a 100% recyclable pack.
Due to our ultra-strong EVOH we’re capable of remaining underneath 5% of EVOH, which is considered to be the standard for recycling companies worldwide (in order to recycle without any issues).
We can even stay below 2% (Swedish-standards) and still offer barrier properties like no other extruded tube.
Besides being 100% recyclable, extruded tubes offer more benefits compared to ABL:
- Plastic memory, keeping a smooth and stable tube in its complete lifespan
- The possibility of having transparent tubes
- Unlimited decoration possibilities
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
MULTITUBES: Converting more and more tubes to recycled material and increasing our market share with investment in new capacity.
