Plant-based food provider Bonduelle has collaborated with ExxonMobil and Constantia Drukpol to develop a mono-PE freezer film as a recyclable, non-laminated alternative to traditional laminated metallized films.
Making use of ExxonMobil’s Exceed performance polyethylene and Constantia Drukpol’s experience in polyethylene film conversion, the solution is said to meet the functional requirements of freezer films. Especially in the cases of spinach, broccoli, and other vegetables that can be challenging to wrap, the film is said to improve puncture and tear resistance, while also enhancing sealability.
At the same time, the transition into a mono-material film, as opposed to the standard laminated metallized options, is expected to reduce complexity and improve recyclability. Therefore, it is set to align with Bonduelle’s sustainability goals, including the implementation of 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025.
The company also claims that the switch has led to a 25% reduction in packaging for its frozen product range in France.
“For our retail Frozen Bag Category, we wanted to replace our historical multi-material metallized film since it was difficult to recycle,” said Arnaud Warusfel, packaging development manager at Bonduelle Europe Long Life. “We selected a mono-material PE solution without adhesives so it can be easier to recycle compared to multi-material solutions. We faced many challenges during the development process but managed to overcome them due to the technical expertise of Constantia Drukpol and ExxonMobil.”
A full case study regarding the mono-PE film is also available.
In a similar development, SÜDPACK designed its Multifol Extreme base film for frozen fish products. The film is a thin, lightweight offering for thermoforming packaging in vacuum and MAP applications, and is set to reduce both costs and emissions across the value chain.
Ahlstrom and The Paper People sought to replace fossil-based plastic and films altogether with a line of certified recyclable, fibre-based packaging for frozen food applications – said to maintain grease barrier properties and package products like fries, tater tots, onion rings, and pizza rolls.
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