NaturalPlastics1

Revolutionary, new, plant based, insulated, compostable One CupÔ requires no sleeve or double cupping, making it the greenest hot cup on the market

Repurpose® Compostables, a manufacturer of premium, high quality food service products, based in Los Angeles, announced today the debut of their One CupÔ, the exciting new insulated hot cup that is 100% compostable. No more double cupping. No more sleeves. The insulated technology keeps hot beverages warmer for longer, and prevents heat from escaping the cup, protecting the user and creating a more comfortable feel with only one product. The revolutionary new One CupÔ requires no sleeve, uses 65% less CO2 than a traditional cup to produce, and can be composted in 90 days. The One CupÔuses FSC-Certified paper, the highest standard for sustainable forestry, and is certified compostable. Traditional insulated cups are made by adding additional layers of paper; however, the Repurpose One CupÔ does the same with our patented insulation material on a single wall cup. This high quality food service product finally offers the greenest possible alternative to Styrofoam and non-compostable insulated cups.

“At Repurpose we are always working to produce the highest performing, highest quality food service products that also help consumers lower their impact on the environment,” said Lauren Gropper, Chief Executive Officer of Repurpose Compostables. “Our new insulated cup with Ingeo™ based lining eliminates the need for double cupping which we have found in speaking to vendors is a hidden cost that people don't realize. The One CupÔ also eliminates the need for a sleeve, another wasteful product associated with hot beverages. In many cases vendors are using four individual pieces. Finally a one product solution exists that is also compostable, comes from renewable resources and is affordable.”

Repurpose products are made from plants, not petroleum, using Ingeo™ resin and meet ASTM 6400 compostability standards. Founded in 2009, Repurpose®Compostables offers a line of high quality, compostable food service products for businesses and consumers. Repurpose also offers custom products solutions in every category. Our mission is to educate the public about the problems of continuing to use petroleum based plastic products and offer renewable, plant based, compostable alternatives. Additionally, Repurpose works with businesses, municipalities, and individuals to retrofit any traditionally plastic based product with a bioplastic alternative at competitive prices. Find out more at www.repurposecompostables.com.

Consumer awareness of environmental issues and new material developments are the most important drivers in the development of sustainable packaging, according to a new industry poll.

Pira International, the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains, conducted a survey of key players across the global packaging value chain. 79% of respondents rated 'Increased exposure of consumers to environmental issues' and 'Advances in materials technology' as either a growth drive or major growth driver.

The Future of Sustainable Packaging to 2020: Convenience Vs the Environment analyses sustainable packaging initiatives from the consumers' perspective, over the next decade. It looks at what drives consumer demand for convenient packaging, as well as the demand for environmental preservation.

Sustainability refers to growth that meets the needs of the present, without robbing future generations of the raw materials or environmental quality that they will need to meet their own needs.

The packaging industry cannot help but become the sustainability focal point and primary benchmark for other industries. Not only is packaging a resource intensive sector in an increasingly resource constrained world, but tons of packaging waste are ending up in landfills daily. However, this challenge also provides an opportunity to gain competitive advantage through the development of an environmentally sustainable strategy without sacrificing the all-important needs of the consumer.

Making packaging friendly to the environment often conflicts with the traditional functions of packaging and more specifically with the consumers' demands for convenience.

To understand the impact of this important trend, Pira International has published a major new study which explores the market for sustainable packaging and the conflict between the convenience and the environment.

Based on extensive primary research, the study identifies a range of important factors that suggest a greater interest in the sustainability agenda by the business world. Other factors, however, drive the consumer's choice when it comes to making a buying decision.

Terms often used to describe sustainability, but confuse the environmentally conscious consumer.

(Source: Pira International)

According to Pira, for the consumer, packaging represents convenience, safety, and comfort. For the business, packaging represents profits and survival. The gap between consumers' ethical attitude and their purchasing decisions concerning ecological products is important to the packaging industry. The main reasons for this gap are:

• A lack of communication and understanding regarding the meaning of sustainability
• Ambiguous promotions regarding these products and the abundance of "green-washed" products (those making false or misleading claims about environmental aspects)
• Suspicion that sustainable packaging will result in a higher priced product or a product that has less protection and function than before
• When asked what makes a packaging system environmentally friendly, shoppers around the world consistently offer a one-word answer - recycling.

Packaging producers and consumers often judge environmental friendliness from different information sources, so there are numerous opportunities for discrepancy. A unified vision of sustainable packaging that both the industry and consumers can agree upon is needed.

New packaging designs using environmentally friendly materials and processes are important to the concept of sustainability, but protecting the product from damage or spoilage may have a far greater environmental impact than the packaging itself. According to the study, the factors that must be considered under the umbrella of sustainability are:

• Materials
• Overall energy use and transport
• Packaging waste minimisation
• Reuse and source reduction
• Recycling
• Biodegradability and composting
• Waste-to-energy conversion
• Retail and consumer value.

In the future, Pira expects the environmental optimisation of packaging will be conducted by more educated and environmentally conscious people as well as by computer programs specifically designed for the task.

The Future of Sustainable Packaging To 2020: Convenience Vs the Environment is available now for £3,750 more information, contact Stephen Hill on +44 (0) 1372 802 025 or email Stephen

Press contact: For editorial queries, details of the study or an expanded article please contact: Rebecca Leigh +44(0)1372 802207 or email Rebecca

From February 22-24, 2011 Pira will be holding the fifth annual Sustainability in Packaging conference. This year's event will feature more than 50 leading companies with case studies covering all aspects of sustainability, from materials, groundbreaking design, supply chain challenges, marketing messages, consumer demand and other drivers of sustainable innovation to strategic vision of how sustainability fits with a company's overall image and where to go next.

Pira International
Pira International - the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains

Established in 1930, Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance.

Source: www.Pira-international.com

Danone-owned water brand Volvic has launched its ‘greener bottle’, made with 25% recycled plastic and 20% plant material, on the UK market.

The bottle has a 38% lower packaging carbon footprint and 16% lower lifecycle footprint than the previous 50cl Volvic bottle, thanks to the materials used. The plant material – BioPET – is made from PET produced using some feedstocks manufactured from fermented and dehydrated sugarcane waste. The resulting bottle is 100% recyclable, says the firm.

The bio material is made in India, using sugarcane molasses from the country, spokesperson Felicity McKane told European Plastics News.

Volvic is also reducing the weight to 15g from 17g and the bottles, which are already on sale in France and Germany, are manufactured at the company’s own facilities in France.

McKane said that the company is not commenting on how the initiative will affect manufacturing costs but said that consumers will not pay more for their regular bottled water purchases.

Stéphane Cousté, director of the nature committee at Evian Volvic Worldwide, described the new design as a “real breakthrough”, which is part of plans to reduce the global carbon footprint of the Volvic brand by 40% by 2012.

Over the past 15 years, Volvic has reduced the weight of its plastic packaging by 30%, claims the firm.

Source: www.europeanplasticsnews.com

As more people become committed to green initiatives, recycling no longer  seems environmentally responsible enough. Today’s most conscientious consumers want packaging that is derived from renewable sources.

To meet this demand, Precision Color Graphics (PCG), located in Franklin, Wisconsin is the first in the nation to introduce a line of pet-food packaging that does not use petrochemicals. These bags have a paper exterior and biopolymer film lining made from corn.

“Our Ecoterah brand of patent-pending bags will start appearing on store shelves within the next few weeks,” says John Goeden, PCG president. “We’re very excited to be the first to introduce compostable, earth-friendly pet food packaging to the market.”
Tuffy’s® Pet Foods, Inc. is PCG’s first customer to use Ecoterah packaging. This
Minnesota-based company has been manufacturing several brands of dog and cat foods for 45 years. Tuffy’s chose Ecoterah packaging for its line of Natural Planet Organics™ dog foods.

“We felt this packaging was the right thing to do for the environment,” says Jim Farrell,
sales and marketing manager at Tuffy’s Pet Foods. “But we also expect it will help boost sales. Customers who want organically grown dog food are the same type of customer who are attracted to earth-friendly packaging.”

Environmentally friendly, politically correct
The US Department of Agriculture has encouraged manufacturers to increase their usage of annually renewable resources, such as corn, wood and other agricultural products to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. These products use photosynthesis to convert energy from the sun into carbon chains, which can then be processed into compostable plastics and paper.

To produce Ecoterah packaging, PCG uses Earth First® PLA (Polylactic acid) Film, an
earth-friendly alternative to petrochemical-based films. This clear, compostable lining is a carbon-neutral biopolymer manufactured under the resin trade name of Ingeo™. Because PLA is FDA-compliant for food contact, Ecoterah packaging offers consumer and pet food manufacturers many benefits:

• By offering a better barrier than traditional plastic liners, it keeps foods fresh
longer.
• Because it does not contain petrochemicals, it is safe for recycling, composting
and landfills.
• EarthFirst® PLA Film consumes less energy during production, resulting in less
greenhouse emissions.
• Because it is grown, processed and produced domestically, PCG has more control
over the supply chain.

A natural growth industry
Despite the downturn in the economy, studies show that consumers remain strongly
interested in sustainable products. According to a Harris Interactive Poll conducted in
April 2010, more than two thirds of American adults view themselves as buyers of green products, and 25 percent have increased their green purchasing. Furthermore, nearly half of all consumers associate green products with high quality, based on a Mintel International Group research presentation from July 2010.
“I tell my customers that they won’t have to sacrifice on their design or printing to use
environmentally friendly packaging,” Goeden adds. Ecoterah products are suitable for
various printing processes and inks, including soy-based inks.
Goeden encourages customers to showcase their dedication to the environment with their packaging and POP displays. “Consumers who are committed to green initiatives actively look for businesses that share their values. By providing this information, you help boost your reputation – and your bottom line.”

About Precision Graphics
Precision Color Graphics Ltd. is a pioneer in quality services and products for pre-press, printing and packaging needs. They help packaging customers design graphics, set copy, and assure printability by taking into account the product’s specific needs.
Ecoterah products are produced by Precision Color Graphics, 9640 S. Oakwood Park Dr. Franklin, Wisc, 53132. For additional information, please contact Dan Brulz, Vice
President of Packaging at (414) 209-0808.
EarthFirst® is a registered trademark of Plastic Suppliers, Inc. Ingeo is a trademark of
NatureWorks LLC in the USA and other countries.

Source: http://www.plasticsuppliers.com

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has given Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. and Apio, Inc. their industry’s highest honor, recognizing the companies as 2010 Impact Award winners for their design and production of a New Pink Platter to Benefit the Fight Against Breast Cancer. The award was announced Oct. 16 at this year’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL. Submissions were judged holistically, earning points for excellence in four areas: marketing, food safety, supply chain efficiency/functionality and sustainability. The combined point totals from each of these areas determined the 25 finalists and six packaging winners.

       Apio donated $25,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the month of October. “We are proud to support Apio in their efforts to deliver a new Pink Veggie Platter to highlight the important cause of Breast Cancer Research while promoting a healthy diet low in fat and sodium. It was an honor to work with Apio and receive this recognition from our industry peers and the Produce Marketing Association,” said James Sanfilippo, president and CEO of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. “Because of the cause marketing element, this packaging needed to stand out with consumers and we’re pleased we were able to help achieve that while providing added value to retailers.”

       The new packaging will be used for a variety of fresh cut vegetables and features a novel divider to separate the individual components. The platter is compartmentalized through removable dividers and the lid provides versatility in product quantity and placement. Hermetic sealing and modified atmosphere were used in the manufacturing process to extend shelf life from 16 to 18 days. In addition, a film seal prevents contamination, provides atmosphere control and offers a tamper-resistant solution to retailers. The package includes recycled plastic. Because of its design flexibility, the packaging can be used for meats, cheeses and a variety of other snacking items in addition to fresh cut vegetables and fruits.

Founded in 1969, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of rigid and flexible packaging materials for thousands of food, personal health care and other consumer products. With seven manufacturing facilities (four in the U.S. and three in China), Clear Lam employs 720 people. Vertically integrated from design to manufacturing, Clear Lam has the largest thermoforming platforms in the world. Clear Lam is committed to following manufacturing procedures that meet the highest safety standards. The company is pursuing the Safe Quality Foods (SQF^®) certification as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative. Clear Lam has achieved a Superior rating from AIB International^® for seven consecutive years.
       Clear Lam is committed to developing environmentally friendly packaging technologies and has three product lines within its Project EarthClear™ program: packaging made from Renewable Raw Materials, packaging made from Recycled Content and Lightweighting materials. Clear Lam is one of the world’s largest extruders and thermoformers of plant-based Ingeo™ PLA.

Source: http://www.clearlam.com

Next year is looking even greener for Odwalla. The natural health beverage company announced today its plans to transition all of the brand's single-serve bottles toPlantBottle™ packaging, HDPE made of up to 100% plant-based materials* and 100 percent recyclable, in March 2011.

The new Odwalla package will help to reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources. For example, the potential annual CO2 emission reduction from the use of plant-based material, instead of petroleum, to make Odwalla's PlantBottle™ packaging is equal to a savings of almost 400,000 gallons of gas.

"Plants do such a good job of making our juice, Odwalla hired them to help make our bottles," said Alison Lewis, President, Odwalla. "Doing good things for the community and building a business with heart are core guiding principles of Odwalla's vision. PlantBottle™ packaging is just the latest step in our continued commitment to the environment."

Combined with Odwalla's Plant A Tree Program, which has planted over 300,000 trees in the last 3 years, and Odwalla's Bloom Energy Fuel Cell technology commencing at Odwalla's plant in Dinuba, CA -- which reduces the plant's carbon footprint by 35 percent while supplying 30 percent of the plant's energy needs -- PlantBottle™ packaging is the latest step in Odwalla's efforts and innovations to reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources.

PlantBottle™ packaging consists of material derived from molasses and sugarcane juice. It has the same performance as traditional HDPE and PET bottles: no differences in shelf life, weight, composition or appearance. PlantBottle™ HDPE can be recycled again and again in today's recycling facilities. The redesigned plastic represents a significant step in our sustainability efforts and in protecting the planet.

*Minimum of 96% plant-based HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

About Odwalla
Odwalla, Inc. delivers nourishment coast to coast with the Odwalla family of juices, juice drinks, smoothies, protein drinks, and nourishing food bars. Odwalla has been making juices and innovating in the natural health beverage category for 30 years. Its nourishing beverages and food bars are available in natural food stores, select supermarkets and specialty outlets throughout the country. To learn more about Odwalla products and Odwalla's commitment to the environment, please visit www.Odwalla.com . Also follow Odwalla on Facebook and Twitter (@Odwalla).

Source: http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com

Boulder Canyon™ Natural Foods, a leading North American snack food manufacturer, has introduced a renewable, fully compostable pack for its line of All Natural Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.
The innovative packaging is gaining attention because it looks, feels and sounds the same as traditional, non-compostable bags.  The bag is the first of its kind on the market to be made from a structure that incorporates metallised NatureFlex™ NKM from Innovia Films.

Source: www.innoviafilms.com

in a first-of-its kind application for the yogurt product category, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. has developed the industry’s first plant-based plastic for the form, fill and seal machine (Arcil).  The new packaging material replaces the traditional petroleum-based polystyrene plastic (PS #6) used for the Stonyfield Farm yogurt multipacks and uses 93 percent renewable resources, primarily plant-based Ingeo™ PLA (polylactic acid).  Developed exclusively by Clear Lam as part of its Project EarthClear™ program, the new packaging is being used for every Stonyfield Farm multipack yogurt cup, including YoBaby, YoToddler and YoKids, as well as B-Healthy, B-Well, Probiotic and O’Soy.

"StonyfieldFarm has invested significantly in finding innovative new packaging alternatives that reduce our dependency on oil and other finite resources, and we’re thrilled that Clear Lam was able to offer an industry-leading packaging solution to help support their sustainable packaging initiatives," said James Sanfilippo, President and CEO of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.

According to a study conducted by the Boston-based Tellus Institute, over 95 percent of the environmental cost of packaging is in the production of the package, including the energy used and toxins created in the manufacturing process.

When compared to traditional petroleum-based packaging, the renewable raw materials are produced with as little as half the energy (1) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48 percent in the manufacturing process. (2)

Produced on yogurt cup packaging equipment by Stonyfield, the formed cups are stronger than those made from the polystyrene plastic the plant-based materials replaces, providing better impact resistance. 

The materials are made mostly from Ingeo™ PLA produced by NatureWorks LLC.  Stonyfield uses an offset program to produce a sustainably grown amount of corn equal to the amount used for the cups.  Each cup features a "Made from Plants" stamp on the bottom.

For the past seven years, Clear Lam has invested heavily in research and development to commercialize new packaging technologies that minimize the impact on the environment.  These efforts include three product lines developed for Clear Lam’s Project EarthClear™ program: packaging made from Renewable Raw Materials, packaging made from Recycled Content and Lightweighting Materials.  Clear Lam is one of the world’s largest extruders and thermoformers of plant-based Ingeo™ PLA.

1, 2  Peer Review Original Research:  Vink, Kolstad,and Davies, "The Eco-Profile for Current Ingeo Polylactide Production", Industrial Biotechnology, Vol. 6, No. 4, August 2010, pp 212-224

Ingeo™ is a registered trademark of NatureWorks LLC
EarthClear™ is a trademark of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.

Source: http://www.clearlam.com/

Cardia Bioplastics and RNZ Green Bio (RGB) sign Heads of Agreement to establish a new Malaysian entity, Cardia Bioplastics Malaysia Manufacturing (CBMM), to manufacture finished bioplastics products. The agreement was signed at the National Utilities Summit 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The relationship between Cardia Bioplastics and RNZ Green Bio was announced by the Malaysian Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, YB Dato Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, at the Malaysian National Utilities Summit 2010 in Kuala Lumpur. The Minister acknowledged the new venture between the two companies as one of the pioneers of bioplastics manufacturing in Malaysia.
In addition, the Minister endorsed Cardia Bioplastics efforts in promoting compostable bioplastics packaging that uses less oil with a lower carbon foot print and is environmentally responsible.

Cardia Bioplastics Chairman, Pat Volpe, said "We are launching in Malaysia with our partner RGB. Malaysia is recognised as one of the world's largest manufacturing hubs for plastics packaging. There are enormous opportunities for CBMM to manufacture bioplastics products for both the local and export market in this growing industry."

Cardia Bioplastics proprietary technology is accredited worldwide and will be licensed to CBMM. RGB will provide the initial working capital on terms and conditions to be formalized in a shareholder agreement.

RNZ Green Bio Chairman, Mr IR Rozali Ahmad, said "Our company has been extensively searching for the right partner that has a patent position, international accreditation along with an established infrastructure for manufacturing, distribution and marketing of bioplastics products. Cardia Bioplastics fits the bill and I am impressed with the quality of management and technical expertise in Cardia."

About Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Bioplastics Limited (ASX CODE: CNN), through its 100% owned subsidiary Cardia Bioplastics Australia Pty Ltd, develops, manufactures and markets sustainable resins and finished products derived from renewable resources for the global packaging and plastic products industries. The company holds a strong patent portfolio and its growth is fuelled by the global trend towards sustainable packaging. Established in Australia in 2002 as Biograde, the company Headquarters and Global Applications Development Centre is in Melbourne, Australia. The Product Development Centre and manufacturing plant is in Nanjing, China. There are Cardia Bioplastics offices in the Americas, Europe, Malaysia and China, and a network of leading distributors across Australia, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Visit www.cardiabioplastics.com

Cardia Bioplastics was the exclusive supplier of biodegradable packaging to the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, and was awarded the Australian Chamber of Commerce "Australia-China Business Excellence Award" in 2008, and won the 2009 "Clean Equity Monaco Conference Award" for Excellence in the field of Environmental Technology Commercialisation. Cardia Bioplastics also received a recognition plaque from the Malaysian Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water as recognition for its efforts in the bioplastics industry.

About RNZ Green Bio
RNZ Green Bio (RGB) is a Malaysian-based company that was registered and incorporated in Malaysia in March 2010. RGB's major shareholder is RNZ Integrated (M) Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian private company involved in the oil & gas industry. RNZ is looking to expand its business opportunities into the growing bioplastics industry. RGB's management is experienced in business operation in the Malaysian manufacturing industry.

Source: http://www.cardiabioplastics.com/

Each year, Stonyfield Farm sells 200 million of its “YoBaby” and “YoKids” individual, 4-ounce yogurt cups (they’re sold in multipacks of four). This makes up 27 percent, by weight, of all its products sold each year. But these little containers had become a big problem for this forward-thinking company, from both waste and health perspectives. The company started using polystyrene for the YoBaby packaging in 2003, and since then, consumer complaints, based on the material’s links to human health problems, were piling up. Plus, it wasn’t getting any easier to find recycling facilities that would accept the material. So last month, Stonyfield began transitioning to a material composed mostly of polylactic acid (PLA), which is corn-based.

This is a major transition for a company of Stonyfield’s size, especially given its cache among sustainability-focused firms. But it’s also not a perfect solution. For one thing, the PLA is produced by NatureWorks, a subsidiary of the agri-giant Cargill, and a company one might be surprised to find linked to the yogurt-maker, which prides itself on using organic ingredients and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Also, the PLA cups are no more recyclable than the polystyrene they are replacing—in fact, there are only two facilities that recycle the PLA, and only one in the U.S

Still, as Nancy Hirshberg, Stonyfield’s vice president of natural resources, told Triple Pundit, while PLA isn’t a perfect solution, it’s a better one than continuing to use polystyrene. Because the new packaging is comprised of 93 percent PLA, it’s mostly corn. And regardless of whether that corn is from genetically modified seed, it’s still not the oil used in polystyrene. In fact, Stonyfield figures that 48 percent fewer greenhouse gases will be emitted each year by transitioning from polystyrene to PLA for the yogurt cups.

And while you’re not going to find any municipal systems that will take that empty PLA cup away in the blue bins, Stonyfield says it is a priority for the company to launch a pilot program to take back the packaging from consumers and send it to the U.S. recycling facility (in Wisconsin), where it will actually be recycled back into PLA, and not downcycled into other products, which is the fate of petroleum-based plastics (such as the polypropylene used in other Stonyfield packaging). And speaking of that other packaging, she says Stonyfield is always researching alternatives to petroleum-based plastics for all its products, but for now, the PLA will only replace its polystyrene containers.

But the bigger impact that this decision may have on makers of consumer packaged goods, in general, is to inch the industry a bit closer to bio-based plastics. However, it’ll be a long and bumpy road before PLA is truly sustainable packaging, and building out a proper take-back and recycling infrastructure for this material will take many years. In the meantime, most YoBabies will end up in the YoLandfill.

That said, Stonyfield doesn’t plan on settling. It considers the corn feedstock to be merely transitional, and intends on pursuing bio-plastic based on agricultural waste and other sources, such as switch grass, as soon as they become “commercially feasible.” In the meantime, it’s also purchasing a type of credit designed to balance the impact of the conventional farming practices behind the PLA. To do so, it’s purchasing Working Landscapes Certificates from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and Green Harvest Technology (GHT). The idea is that these groups will use these certificates, which are modeled after renewable energy credits, to push for sustainable agricultural production for emerging biomaterials sectors, including the bioplastics industry. Hirshberg says Stonyfield is initially purchasing 1.7 million pounds of PLA, which is derived from 490 acres of corn. They’re buying the certificates for $74 per acre, and the lion’s share goes directly to the farmers involved in the program, to help them transition to sustainable practices.

And as for that other 7 percent of material used in the new packaging? Four percent is titanium dioxode, used to color the plastic. But Stonyfield hit a brick wall when it requested a list of the remaining 3 percent. “[The vendor] said, ‘hey, it’s FDA-approved,’ but that’s all,” says Hirshberg. So the company tried another tack, providing the packaging vendor a list of 2600 chemicals (including carcinogens, endocrine inhibitors, etc.) that they did not want anywhere near their yogurt. The list cleared, and they moved forward, she says.

The full list of products that are transitioning to the PLA packaging includes YoBaby, YoToddler, YoKids, B-Healthy, B-Well, Probiotic & O’Soy. And the prices for these products will remain the same.

Source: pakbec.blogspot.com and http://www.triplepundit.com

Using a new Ingeo blend formulation, Polenghi LAS has developed Europe’s first extrusion-blow-molded biobased bottle, Polenghi LAS and NatureWorks LLC, manufacturer of Ingeo bioplastic, reported today. Ingeo bioplastic is made from renewable plant material, not oil.

By switching from polyolefin resin to Ingeo bioplastic for packaging 10 million bottles its new Bio organic lemon juice, Polenghi will conserve 1,000 barrels of oil and reduce CO2 emissions by 126 tons compared to an equivalent oil-based plastic squeeze bottle. Polenghi’s achievement demonstrates the first European commercial introduction of a proven, low-environmental impact and renewably sourced bioplastic substitute for polyolefin resins in extrusion-blow-molding applications. This bioplastic also offers stable pricing compared to the volatility experienced in the petroleum market.

Polyethylene and polypropylene are the polyolefins typically used in the extrusion-blow-molding process to produce the “soft” plastic packaging often used for food and personal care squeeze bottles.  The resin manufacturing process to produce Ingeo bioplastic emits 38 percent less CO2 and consumes 45 percent less energy than the resin manufacturing process for an equivalent weight low-density polyethylene. The resin manufacturing process to produce Ingeo bioplastic emits 31.6 percent less CO2 and consumes 42 percent less energy than the resin manufacturing process for polypropylene.

“We are extremely proud of the technical achievements that led to the development of this low-carbon-footprint Eco bottle, the first of its kind in Europe,” said  Marco Polenghi, sales director of Polenghi LAS.  “This bottle and shrink-sleeve label, both made from renewably sourced Ingeo™ bioplastic, presents us with the opportunity to differentiate our Bio organic lemon juice.”

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen the expansion of Ingeo applications into such manufacturing processes as injection molding and higher-heat thermoforming,” said Marc Verbruggen, president and chief executive officer of NatureWorks. “With its innovative Ingeo blend, Polenghi now offers a lower carbon emission/lower energy alternative to polyolefins in extrusion-blow-molding applications.”

Polenghi Bio, organic lemon juice packed in the Eco bottle, is now available in Italy and will soon be stocked in stores throughout Europe. www.polenghigroup.it . The NatureWorks LookBook contains information about other new biobased products and the NatureWorks website www.natureworksllc.com offers a wealth of information on Ingeo biopolymer made from renewable plant material, not oil.

About NatureWorks LLC

NatureWorks LLC is a company dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available, low-carbon footprint Ingeo biopolymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with performance and economics that compete with oil-based plastics and fibers. For more information, visit www.natureworksllc.com.

About Polenghi

Polenghi is a family group involved in food and juices manufacturing with 4 facilities in Europe since 1976. Eco-friendly oriented producing 150kw/h of energy by solar panel and using the bottles 100% from renewable sources (Ingeo). Exporting in 50 countries in the world, Polenghi is a European leader of lemon juice.  

Source: http://www.natureworksllc.com/

Sales results also declined for the crisp brand in the 18 months since the introduction of the environmentally friendly bag, which was said to biodegrade in as little as 14 weeks, while conventional chip packets typically take over 100 years.

The novel crisp bag was chosen by product innovation experts from the market research organization Mintel during this summer’s IFT food expo in Chicago as one of the most innovative new products of the past year.

And, according to Mintel’s research, 43 per cent of consumers had said they were likely to buy the SunChips product because of its strong eco-friendly positioning.

Consumer vote

Nevertheless, nearly 40,000 people signed up to a Facebook group criticizing the packaging material, plant-based polylactic acid (PLA), for being too loud.

This is not the first time a social network has spoken up about their dislike of a product and companies are beginning to realize that they need to listen.

PepsiCo - FritoLay’s parent company - had a similar experience with its Tropicana juice packaging, which drew such heavy criticism via Twitter that the company withdrew the new design just weeks after it was introduced.

The manufacturer said that the new bags will continue to be used for the original flavour of SunChips and that the five other flavours will be back to the old packaging by the end of this month. The switch started mid-September.

A spokesperson for Frito Lay told BakeryandSnacks.com said that it was currently working on developing a quieter form of compostable packaging for the crisps brand.

PLA packaging restrictions

Corn-based plastics are made by fermenting corn sugar to produce lactic acid. This substance is then used to form PLA.

Up until recently, the adoption of PLA had been restricted to the packaging of chilled food and beverages due to its tendency to deform at 55°C and above. But polymer additive suppliers such as DuPont have been developing products with the aim of toughening PLA packaging materials as well as improving their processibility and flexibility in rigid structures.

Furthermore, US based researchers recently claimed a breakthrough that could boost the heat resistance of PLA sufficiently, allowing it to be used in hundreds of new packaging applications.

The team from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and private company Lapol said they have created a modifying system that could see PLA used in hot-filled applications across the food and beverage industry.

The fact that the bioplastic has a lower heat tolerance than some petroleum-based plastics excludes it from being used for some applications, explained the group consisting of ARS chemist William Orts, along with Allison Flynn and Lennard Torres from the Santa-Barbara-based plastics company.

To raise the temperature at which PLA may distort - known as its ‘heat deflection temperature’ – the scientists developed a temperature deflection modifying mechanism that boosts its heat resistance properties. The modifier is said to be more than 90 per cent corn based and fully biodegradable.

Movers and shakers

NatureWorks, part of Cargill, is one the main movers behind corn PLA based packaging.

Companies like US-based Naturally Iowa have been using PLA for packaging products like organic milk.

And European retailers including Delhaize in Belgium, Auchan in France, Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer, and Tesco in the UK, along with Coop in Switzerland and the Europe-wide chain Aldi have also been employing PLA for various food packaging.

Source: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com

Leading Australian manufacturer of naturally based health, beauty and household cleaning products, Natures Organics, has selected Cardia Biohybrid™ sustainable packaging technology for its range of laundry and personal care products.

Researchers in Malaysia said they have developed a biodegradable plastic packaging from tropical fruit skins that is durable and economic to produce.

The Fruitplast product has been pioneered at the University Sain Malaysia (USM) and made from the skins of tropical fruits such as bananas, rambutans and chempedak.

Team leader professor Hanafi Ismail said the idea to produce plastic from fruit waste came about because of the perceived potential for bio-degradable plastic which is forecast to grow by up to 30 per cent a year.

“Commercial bio-degradable plastic such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolacton (PCL) that are available in the West are at least eight times as expensive as the petroleum-based, non-biodegradable plastic such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP),” said the professor. “We have developed a study to produce bio-degradable plastic using waste products from fruits to reduce costs but which can compete with the quality of the commercial plastics that are currently available in the market.”

Fruitplast is estimated to be 10 per cent cheaper than the petroleum-based commercial plastics (PE, PP) and is able to biodegrade within three to six months, said the team.

Two years
“This innovation also has huge commercial prospects not only in Malaysia but also world-wide because it is based on the concept of sustainability, is cheap and excellent for the packaging industry,” added Hanafi. “The durability of the plastic also has met the standards that have been determined and if it is not exposed to the elements (soil and weather), Fruitplast can remain in its original condition for up to two years.”
The university, which funded the project, said Fruitplast won a Gold medal at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2010, held in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Source: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com

Source: http://www.bakeryandsnacks.com