Renewable source, high performance: why brands should switch to bio-based plastics

A great deal is required of today’s packaging materials. Brands are expected to be on top of things, choosing packaging with many factors – safety, recyclability, functionality, and product appeal – in mind. Furthermore, choosing the right packaging can be an important aspect of a brand’s marketing strategy. So, what’s in it for brands and the packaging industry if they decided to switch bio-based plastics like PEF?

Sustainability is one of the most cited factors in defence of changing to bioplastics. The good new is, it is not the only one. In this article, we take a look at four major advantages of switching PEF – and look at different aspects for packaging companies and brand owners.

  1. A fossil-free alternative
    As we all probably know by now, the use of plastic is associated with many problems, like the release of fossil carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at its end-of-life. In addition, one of the largest bulk plastics worldwide, traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET), contains fossil-based terephthalic acid (PTA). Switching to its bio-based alternative polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF), which uses furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) instead of PTA, could bring about significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
  2. Superior properties and behaviour
    Not only are bioplastics the right choice for moving away from fossil resources, they also come with quality properties for packaging purposes. For example, PEF has high heat resistance – making it attractive for hot-fill purposes, as well as re-use through industrial washing and refill.

Furthermore, PEF has great gas barrier properties for oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour – enabling mono-material packaging and an extended shelf life of products. Using a single material instead of combinations can also save in costs and enable or simplify recycling.

– If you look at the cost of the total package and the features needed for a certain shelf life, shape, or recyclability, using a single material serving all those purposes provides great benefit, says Dirk den Ouden, VP Emerging Business, Division Biomaterials at Stora Enso.

To get the most out of this material, Stora Enso has been developing a breakthrough technology, FuraCore®, to produce FDCA in a cost-effective way at scale, laying the foundation for a plastic that makes sense.

  1. Bioplastics fit the circular economy
    PEF is made from bio-based crops that grow back – laying the foundation for sustainable and circular packaging. It is also fully recyclable – just as traditional PET packaging.
  2. Novelty value and brand appeal – sustainable solutions help brands to differentiate
    Differentiation is an important element in the packaging landscape. By associating unique characteristics with their products, brand owners create recognition and authority within their niches, leading to better sales as visibility and credibility increase.

– If we can use the basic material properties to offer something better than what the industry can today, I think there’s great opportunities for brand owners to engage, Den Ouden states.

As customers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they buy, one means to stand out is to look at new sustainable options for package branding.

– Not only do people like to have products that are packaged in a nice, compelling way, but also to make a choice that feels good, Den Ouden concludes.
more at: https://www.storaenso.com/en/newsroom/news/2022/8/furacore-why-brands-should-switch-to-bio-based-plastics

Related Posts

DS Smith announces agreement with Jonsac for the sourcing of sustainable paper bags for e-commerce customers

The partnership will see the two companies collaborate to accelerate the transition from plastic to paper bags within the e-commerce marketplace in Europe at scale, and the solutions will be available to customers across all DS Smith markets in Europe. DS Smith and Jonsac will provide an product range to meet customer requirements while looking ahead at the types of packaging solutions that will be valuable for the ecommerce sector in the future, in line with key market requirements and fast changing consumer trends. The bags will be 100% fibre-based and recyclable, and DS Smith customers will benefit from the opportunity to order consignments at high-volume in support of their ecommerce activities. The new agreement between the companies represents an addition to an existing arrangement where Jonsac supply paper bag packaging solutions to DS Smith customers within the Nordics region.

Metsä Board’s comparable operating result in January–March 2018 was EUR 69 million

January–March 2018 (10–12/2017) • Sales were EUR 492.3 million (451.3). • Comparable operating result was EUR 69.0 million (54.4), or 14.0% (12.0) of sales. The operating result was EUR 69.0 million (54.4). • Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.15 (0.12), and earnings per share were EUR 0.15 (0.12). • Comparable return on capital employed was 15.8% (12.4). Click Read More below for additional information.

Metsä Group starts pre-engineering project for Muoto™ wood fibre packaging products

After promising results from the ongoing demonstration phase, Metsä Group has decided to conduct, in parallel with the demo phase, a pre-engineering project related to a possible first commercial-scale factory. Muoto™ packages are renewable and recyclable bioproducts that can be utilised in, e.g., takeaway, berry, tray, and combo packaging. Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring has decided to start a pre-engineering project for the first commercial factory producing the new packaging solution, Muoto™. Muoto products are wood-based alternatives to plastic packaging. Pre-engineering is a key planning phase, after which Metsä Group will have the conditions of factory planning in place to consider deciding on the factory investment, and it is expected to be completed in early 2025. Based on the outcome of pre-engineering and the continued work in the demo phase, mainly using a unique demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, Metsä Group will assess the possibility of starting this new business and investing in a factory to support that business. Metsä Group has already decided that the possible factory would be located at its Rauma site in Finland.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search