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More consumers opting for eco-friendly packaging
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Monday, 01 July, 2013, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Abhitash Singh, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d Nowadays consumers seem to be opting for environmentally-friendly packaging, and the food and beverage industry has responded to this awareness by offering sustainable solutions that have altered the looks of product lines. While sustainable packaging has been available for a few years now, the newest technologies and materials reflect how manufacturers are getting innovative with their eco-efforts.
A recent study by Perception Research Services (PRS) International says that consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly packaging, and more shoppers in 2012 (45 per cent) indicated that they would opt for eco-friendly packaging in comparison with 2011 (36 per cent).
Scott Young, president, PRS International, said, “We are seeing a great opportunity for manufacturers to provide truly value-added packaging to their target shoppers by making it more environmentally-friendly, primarily in the form of recyclability and recycled content and clearly communicating these aspects.”
Manufacturers and retailers are listening, as evidenced by continual new releases of green packaging solutions. Many manufacturers are coming up with many innovative packaging ideas in order to attract the consumers. Compostable metallised paper, eco-friendly thermal boxes and plant-based plastic containers are the latest innovations in vogue.
Jaydip Dave, owner, Premium Foods, informed, “Earlier as traditional packaging, we were using metallised films, foil laminated papers and foil which are not always easy to recycle, and therefore the alternative for this is compostable metallised paper. Compostable metallised paper is available in various weights and functional performance characteristics, and may be used for sandwich bags, wraps and pouches for various applications.”
Vacumet Corp, which manufactures metallised paper, announced the launch of its new line of 100 per cent compostable metallised papers just a few months back. According to Vacumet, the paper is also tested and certified to be biodegradable in a managed composting facility, meeting ASTM D-6868 standards.
Eco-friendly thermal boxes
Thermal insulated boxes are imperative for some food item shipments, but now manufacturers are demonstrating how that type of packaging can be more eco-friendly. One example is a cold chain packaging company Thermopod, which provides patented, biodegradable and/or recyclable temperature control solutions.
While ThermoPod’s green insulation packaging is not exclusive to the food and beverage industry, its shipping containers are green solutions to similar but less environmentally-friendly options.
The temperature-control packaging is said to be unique because it features ultra-insulating padding, created from patented “purified recycled textile fibres,” according to the company. Also, to contain leaks and spills, the packaging features a super-absorbent fibre and an EPA-approved antimicrobial additive to prevent cross-contamination.
Another green insulation packaging trendsetter is InCycle Insulating Containers by MicroGreen Polymers Inc. — a 2012 winner of the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. The insulating cups and foam trays are examples of the lightweight packaging trend, i.e. “doing more with less.”
With this particular packaging, an ad-air solid state microcellular plastic process is used to achieve the insulation needed to keep containers hot or cold. MicroGreen Polymers “uses non-reacting, recycled carbon-dioxide gas to thermoform recycled PET plastic rolls into inherently insulating trays and cups.”
The benefit of eco-friendly thermal boxes packaging is that while it is greener option than other packaging, it also weighs less than similar cups and containers.
Satyananda, chief manager, marketing, Manjushree Technopack Pvt Ltd, said, “The competition for packaging in food and beverage industry is very tough now. Every company is coming up with new innovation packaging trends to compete in the market. One have to be innovative to offer a good packaged food to the consumers. Flexible packaging is a growing trend in the market. The innovations in packaging will be a good platform and it will provide a better opportunity for the food and beverage industry.”
Plant-based plastic containers
Plant-based plastic containers first emerged a few years ago in the food and beverage packaging industry and some companies are big proponents of this trend. Coca-Cola, for instance, which launched its recyclable Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles called Plant Bottle in 2009 has plans to offer all of its beverages in the sustainable packaging by 2020.
The Plant Bottle looks and functions like PET, yet this greener alternative packaging uses materials that are up to 30 per cent plant-based. Traditional PET packaging uses petroleum-based plastics. The leading beverage brand is not alone in its plant based packaging efforts. Recently, Heinz began a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola as part of its eco-conscious 'Join the Growing Movement' campaign.
Signi Joseph, honorary secretary, IFPA, said, “Flexible packaging is growing at a very rapid pace and the other packaging which is in demand is sulphile label packaging which is used for bottles.”
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