Challenge: To identify alternatives to Polypropylene (PP) suitable for use in food and beverage applications.
Client: Global FMCG manufacturer
Background: Polypropylene is a desirable packaging material in food applications as it has beneficial barrier properties in terms of Oxygen Transfer Rates(OTR), Water Vapour Transfer rates (WVTR) and rigidity. Whilst it is recyclable, PP is not as widely recycled as PET. In fact some indications suggest the global recycling rate of PET is estimated at over 50% compared to only 3% PP, with the diverse application of PP often inhibiting sorting processes. However recent breakthroughs have made food-safe Post Consumer Recycled PP (PCR-PP) available. To enhance its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) position, our client is seeking more sustainable alternatives to Polypropylene.
Goal: The client is looking for more sustainable alternatives to Polypropylene that can be used within food and beverage industry. The alternative material must possess similar barrier properties in terms of OTR and WVTR and can include, but not be limited to:
- Composites.
- Bio-Plastics.
- Cellulosic materials.
- Coatings such as films and laminate that can enhance the barrier properties of an otherwise inferior material.
For any material that might meet this brief, we would like to know:
- Material composition.
- The manufacturing process e.g. injection molded, blown, etc.
- The sustainability credentials; biodegradable, home compostable, industrially compostable/anaerobic Digestion, recyclable (mechanical/chemical), reusable etc.
- In the case of composites, films and laminates, details of how the product would be disposed of in a single piece, or ease of separating the components parts
Alternatives to Polypropylene Responses
Commercially available solutions and early stage developments are of equal interest for this project. Solutions are ideally already approved or in the process of being approved for use in food and beverage systems in the UK, Europe and US.
All solutions must be submitted to Technology Scout (ACTION@auroraceres.co.uk), with a subject line: “ACTION call: B345/25/1 Alternatives to Polypropylene (PP)”. detailing:
• A specification detailing the key parameters.
• A summary of the process or technology.
• Any technical or application limitations.
• Commercial availability.
• Contact details.
ACTION Food Technology Scouting
Food Industry Experts at The Aurora Ceres® Partnership Ltd provide food and drink technology scouting for some of the world’s largest food and drink manufacturers and brands using the ACTION technology scouting platform. ACTION is a food and drink technology scouting programme that is tailored for each client and each project and follows our 4-stage approach: Review – Contact – Call – Filter. To find out more how ACTION can help your food technology scouting needs click here.
