Plastic Packaging

Marks & Spencer is teaming up with a recycling technology group to enable the retailer to trace what happens to its drinks bottles, cartons and other plastic packaging.

The Polytag system prints an invisible tag on to containers, which can be picked up by electronic readers located at recycling centres.

Products featuring the tags will begin appearing on shelves in the next three months.

A team of scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed PBAT-based biodegradable packaging, revolutionising the market with eco-friendly alternatives that decompose within three months, leaving no harmful residue.

Dr. K Veerabrahmam, Scientist, DRDO and his team at Advanced Systems Laboratory of DRDO at Hyderabad developed biodegradable packaging products using PBAT, a biodegradable polymer derived from petroleum products or plant oils.

he study led by experts from the University of Portsmouth, UK and the Flanders Marine Institute, Belgium, looked at how two different types of plastic break down when tested in extreme conditions.

ExxonMobil, working with key partners, has developed a fully recyclable thermoformed packaging product featuring 95 percent polyethylene (PE) content. The Houston-based energy company says the new packaging design offers a high oxygen barrier, “excellent” optics and enhanced puncture resistance while maintaining optimized formability for hot fill and aseptic applications in the food and beverage sectors.

• Vision is to recover polyethylene from hard-to-recycle waste for reuse in consumer packaging.
• Partnership brings together both companies’ intellectual property to create a novel process with low greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

To create the new technology, the companies will combine their patented technologies and know-how in the dissolution process.

Additionally, Aldi is removing pulp trays from its Nature's Pick Mango twin pack and Avocado twin pack, to reduce the amount of packaging. These changes could see the UK's fourth-largest supermarket remove over 370 tonnes of plastic and packaging per year if rolled out across all stores.

These are just some of the latest changes in the supermarket's continuing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and develop alternative packaging for its products.

Under the MoU, SK geo centric and YoulChon Chemical will utilize their accumulated experience and technological expertise in plastic packaging manufacturing to develop high-performance soft packaging materials made from a single material

Conventionally, films and sheet-type packaging materials, commonly referred to as vinyl, are layered with multiple materials to prevent product deterioration caused by changes in temperature and humidity, making them virtually impossible to recycle.

• Bormioli announced a partnership with Chiesi, an international, research-focused biopharmaceutical company (Chiesi Group), to supply Carbon Capture PET bottles.
• These will be used to package a medication indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, as well as vasomotor rhinitis. 
• Carbon Capture PET is produced by capturing carbon emissions, which are then transformed into BioMEG, the key molecule for PET production, through a fermentation process.

This supply marks the first time a Carbon Capture PET bottle wi

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have each swapped hard plastic lids on private-label hummus products for a thin film to cut back on plastic packaging.

Both supermarkets announced their respective decisions this month, with an estimated combined saving of more than 50 million pieces of plastic per year. The replacement lid is similar to those widely used to top many yogurts, creams, and some desserts.

Global sustainable packaging leader Berry Global Group, Inc. has launched a customizable, rectangular Domino bottle available with up to 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic for the beauty, home, and personal care markets.