At its November 2010 PACK EXPO International in Chicago, the Packaging Association (PAC) announced winners of the "PAC Green Den - Fast Track to Sustainable Innovation.” Reducing waste was a key factor for success in the competition.
First place went to MicroGreen Polymers for its plastic processing technique, InCycle, which increases the efficiency of recycled PET. Using the InCycle process, one 20 oz. beverage bottle produces 12 hot-beverage cups.
In second place was the EcoPure additive from Ecologic, which coats plastics in microbes that consume plastics and attract other microbes that accelerate the biodegradable breakdown of a plastic container.
Across the globe in Shanghai, Husky Injection Molding Systems’ lightweighting solutions have been recognized with the Best Innovation Award by Coca-Cola China at its recent Supplier Sustainability Summit.
The award recognizes Husky for its work on the development of lightweighting projects, in particular, the EcoBase perform, a technology that provides a weight saving up to 2.5% for significant resin savings. “What I really like about the EcoBase preform is that it is both an advance on the sustainable packaging front, as well as a way to help lower the cost of our packaging,” said Dan Coe, chief procurement officer of China Bottlers Procurement Consortium.
More sustainable packaging innovation was announced by DuPont, with the expansion of its Biomax packaging offerings to include renewably sourced Biomax Thermal 300 heat-stabilizing modifier.
“High performance is critical to the successful adoption of bio-based products. By offering Biomax Thermal 300 for PLA, DuPont is helping to deliver performance plus supporting extension of sustainable packaging applications,” said Carolann Haznedar, global business director of DuPont Packaging.
The packaging allows polylactic acid (PLA) thermoformed packaging to withstand elevated temperatures during transport, storage and use. Its introduction extends the use of PLA (a bio-based alternative to petrochemical-derived products) to applications beyond chilled foods and beverages.
