Page 114 - FoodFocusThailand No.199 October 2022

STRENGTHEN THE PACKAGING

Recyclable barrier papers are also available on the market Less Waste and More Sustainability Ideas
as an alternative to plastic and laminate films since they are Sustainable packaging also allows us to use the entire product
made from renewable resources. These new materials ensure without waste and to reduce the use of plastic, such as flow
mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance. They are packs made of a single material or natural raw materials.
also weldable and printable and can provide a good barrier Moreover, for the same volume, the production of a flow-pack
effect against grease and vapor. uses at least 70% less plastic than a conventional rigid bottle.
They can be used for both primary and secondary Less weight also involves less energy for production, transport,
packaging of dried and frozen food, bakery products, dry pasta, and disposal, as well as lower carbon dioxide emissions.
sweets, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Also, small amounts of When it is not possible to completely eliminate plastic, the
plastic can be added to certain types of paper to improve the current trend is to optimize the way packaging is collected
barrier effect. Nowadays, paper is increasingly replacing plastic and recycled. To limit the consumption of other types of
in the fruit and vegetable sector, too. Many food companies plastics, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase the
choose 100% recyclable paper trays without the need for use of recycled raw materials, it is also sustainable to
plastic or films. choose packaging made of a single substance, such as
polyethylene.
Bio-based Materials Many companies strive to produce single-material
Among the new bio-based materials, there is shrink wrap, a packaging or, alternatively, multi-layer plastic materials, which
100% biodegradable and compostable food film derived from are separated into individual layers by enzymes to be
chitosan (a natural substance derived from chitin, a polymer recyclable. Some companies are going further, deciding to
that protects crustaceans and insects by providing hardness switch from recyclable packaging to those made from
and resistance to shells and armor) combined with a silk protein renewable sources, giving a further boost to the sustainable
called fibroin. This material, developed by the Wyss Institute policy they have decided to pursue.
of Harvard University, is very similar to plastic in strength and In general, more natural materials are being used to
texture but is completely natural. In particular, it shows a manufacture environmentally friendly packaging, and
67–73% reduction in the oxygen permeability compared to businesses are attempting to use less plastic or avoid
some types of PET, keeping food fresher and longer. using plastic entirely. However, one of the challenges in
the food and beverage industry is that the product’s
Examples of Bio-based Materials effectiveness in protecting the packaged good must not be
Biocopac Plus, born as part of the Life Project, is known for a overlooked.
new material based on cutin (a substance extracted from the
rejects of tomato peels) that is used for the coating of tinned
food cans instead of Bisphenol A or BPA. Other new materials
that were developed to replace plastic in the food industry are More Information Service Info C015
also primarily plant-based and include: cellulose pulp, which
is made from the leftover fibers of some plants, particularly เอกสารอ้างอิง / References
bamboo; bagasse, which is made from sugar cane processing www.italianfoodtech.com/new-eco-friendly-and-high-performing-materials/
waste; and palm leaves, which are harvested after accidentally www.jasa.nl/innovations/4-rs-of-sustainability/?lang=en
falling off. www.askmeplastics.com/4r-concept-detail-guide-with-importance/

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