International beverage and food company PepsiCo has teamed up with biotechnology company Danimer Scientifics to develop its biodegradable film resin as a sustainable, flexible packaging material.
The two entities have worked together before on the creation of bio-based compostable packaging for its snack brands, and this new collaboration will drive the expansion of Danimer Scientifics' Nodax polyhydroxyalanoates (PHA) plant.
Nodax PHA is a biopolymer that is created by microbial bacteria as they ferment organic oils, made with renewable biomass. It has been proven effective in replacing short-term use petroleum-based plastics commonly used in food packaging
The biopolymer has also received OK Marine Biodegradable certification from inspection body Vinçotte International, certifying that the biopolymer safely breaks down in salt water surroundings, leaving no toxic residues.
All of the company's biopolymers have been FDA-approved for use with food.
PepsiCo's search for sustainable packaging is influenced by its 2025 sustainability agenda, which includes the goal of designing 100% recoverable or recyclable packaging.
“From the start PepsiCo has taken a holistic approach to our sustainability work,” said PepsiCo vice chairman and CSO Dr. Mehmood Khan.
“Our first objective is achieving long-term profitability and that requires sustainable solutions to grow our business while minimising our environmental impact. Our plan to scale Danimer Scientifics’ technology is a step toward achieving both our greenhouse gas emission reduction and our recoverable and recyclable packaging goals.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
